Some of Hala TV's hosts
Raafat Zariq
Israel's first Arabic TV channel launched
Hala goes on air with a limited programming schedule that includes current events, investigative reporting, and entertainment
After a four-month test period, the programming schedule of Hala TV, Israel's first Arabic television station, has been officially announced. The new station will broadcast 24 hours a day, but will only run seven hours of new programming.
The new channel's lineup includes "Hadit Alsa'a," a daily current events program hosted by Bernard Tanus that will run at 6pm and again at 8pm; an entertainment show hosted by Ayman Nahmas that will be broadcast live in front of a studio audience every Saturday through Wednesday at 9pm; and a Friday evening show in which Jamil Hori will interview people in their homes.
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In addition, the channel will run a lifestyle program at 5pm (with reruns at 7pm) and an investigative reporting show once a week. The station has also purchased the program "Sayain Dayain" starring Syrian and Egyptian actors.
Some NIS 16 million (about $4 million) were invested in the new lineup, which is scheduled to broadcast from 3pm to midnight. The rest of the airtime will be devoted to reruns and video clips. Satellite and cable viewers can tune in to Hala TV on Channel 30 and eventually the station is expected to launch on Idan Plus.
