Hubbry Logo
Syria TVSyria TVMain
Open search
Syria TV
Community hub
Syria TV
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Syria TV
Syria TV
from Wikipedia

Syrian TV (Arabic: السورية), also known as Syrian Satellite Channel (Arabic: القناة الفضائية السورية, romanizedal-Qanāh al-Faḍā’īyah al-Sūriyya), is a public television channel, owned by the Syrian General Organization of Radio and TV and broadcast nationwide on Digital terrestrial television (DTT) and throughout the world on various satellites. The television station has been based in Damascus, Syria since 1995.[1][2]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Syrian civil war and Syrian revolution

[edit]

On 26 May 2013, opposition forces attacked the Syrian TV team near al-Daba'a village in the countryside of al-Qusayr in Homs province, injuring cameraman Asem al-Shaar.[3]

"Victory of the great Syrian revolution and the fall of the criminal al-Assad regime" on Syria TV after the fall of Damascus to the HTS. This was its sole broadcast for several hours.[4]

On 8 December 2024, at 05:30, amid the fall of Damascus during the Syrian opposition offensives, opposition forces took control of the channel[5] and announced the fall of the Assad regime live on-air.[6][7][8]

Logo used from 2018 until 2024, prior to the fall of the Assad regime

On 15 December 2024, the broadcasting on the “ORTAS” website was temporarily suspended.[9] As of October 2025, the suspension of the online streaming and satellite feed of the channel is still ensuing.

Programming

[edit]

Syrian TV features a variety of general-interest programs.

  • Syrian soap operas (Syrian Drama, مسلسلات سوريا دراما)
  • Aalam men Akhbar (A World of News, عالم من الأخبار)
  • Jilna (Our Generation, جيلنا)
  • Sabah al Khair (Good Morning, صباح الخير)
  • Al-Nas lel Nas (People for People, الناس للناس)
  • Hamzet Wasel (Connecting Link, همزة وصل)
  • Al-Balad Baladak (The Country is your Country, البلد بلدك)
  • Mulaeb al Ghad (Tomorrow's Player, ملاعب الغد)
  • Huna Dimashq (Here is Damascus, هنا دمشق)
  • Nahja Maan (Living Together, نحيا معا)
  • Al-Muwaten w el-Wazeer (The Citizen and the Minister, المواطن و الوزير )
  • Hadis Al-Balad (Talk of the Town, حديث البلد)
  • Bath Mubashar (Live Broadcast, بث مباشر)

Most of the programmes are in Arabic. There is also a number of English programmes and some news broadcasts in English, French, Spanish, Russian and recently Turkish.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Al-Souriya (السورية), Syria's primary state-owned public television channel, was originally established in 1960 as the country's inaugural broadcaster and relaunched on February 19, 2026, coinciding with the start of Ramadan, featuring refreshed branding, a new logo, and the motto "السورية بتضم الكل" (Al-Souriya embraces everyone). This relaunch positions Al-Souriya as a family-oriented platform aimed at uniting Syrians at home and abroad by reflecting the nation's cultural identity and societal values through diverse programming. The channel's updated schedule emphasizes content such as cultural shows, political discussions, entertainment, drama productions, religious programs, and family-focused segments, distinguishing it as a communal media outlet broadcast via satellite on Nilesat at frequency 11938 V with symbol rate 27500.

History

Founding and Early Years

Syrian Television, Syria's inaugural public broadcaster, was established in July 1960 under the General Organization of Radio and TV, marking the introduction of television services to the country. Initial broadcasts originated from Damascus and were transmitted in black and white, aligning with the technological standards of the era during the United Arab Republic union with Egypt. In its early years, the channel focused on building infrastructure to extend reach across Syria, gradually improving signal coverage to serve a growing national audience. Technological advancements included the transition to color broadcasting in 1976, which enhanced programming quality and viewer engagement. During the Ba'athist era following the party's ascension in 1963, Syrian Television solidified its position as a cornerstone of state-controlled media, disseminating official narratives and fostering national unity through scheduled programming. This period saw steady expansion in transmission capabilities, prioritizing domestic accessibility over international formats.

Role During Syrian Civil War

During the Syrian Civil War, Al-Souriya maintained its role as a mouthpiece for the government, broadcasting content that framed the conflict as a battle against terrorists backed by foreign powers. State-aligned programming continued to emphasize official narratives, including reports of military successes and accusations against opposition forces, even as the channel faced operational challenges. Broadcasts were disrupted by direct attacks on infrastructure, such as the June 2012 rebel assault on a pro-government television station near Damascus, where gunmen bombed buildings and killed staff, and the August 2012 car bomb explosion at the Syrian state television headquarters in the capital, which injured personnel and damaged facilities. These incidents highlighted vulnerabilities amid rebel advances into Damascus suburbs, prompting temporary suspensions and efforts to relocate operations to secure areas under government control. Further disruptions occurred in late 2012 when major satellite providers like Hotbird suspended Syrian channels, limiting reach but underscoring reliance on satellite transmission to maintain continuity for audiences in contested territories and abroad.

Relaunch in 2026

Syria TV, disrupted during the Syrian Civil War, resumed operations in a relaunched format to restore its role as a unifying public broadcaster following the conflict's resolution. The channel's reopening was announced by the Syrian Ministry of Information and officially launched on February 19, 2026, coinciding with the start of Ramadan, marking a shift from wartime broadcasting to a renewed emphasis on national unity. Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa described the relaunch as a project to build bridges among Syrians, transitioning the state-owned outlet into a refreshed public service platform focused on post-conflict reconciliation. Initial broadcasts resumed via Nilesat satellite on frequencies 11938 and 27500, enabling reconnection with audiences inside Syria and in the diaspora through updated programming designed for broader accessibility.

Branding and Identity

Name and Logo Changes

Al-Souriya, Syria's primary state broadcaster, underwent significant rebranding as part of its relaunch in February 2026. This aligned the channel's identity with a refreshed national media landscape following political transitions. The accompanying logo redesign features three flowing lines that converge to outline the map of Syria, symbolizing unity and renewal in the post-relaunch era. This visual update represents a key evolution from earlier iterations. The new emblem underscores the channel's repositioning as an inclusive platform, with the design elements evoking connectivity and forward momentum.

Motto and Thematic Shift

Upon its relaunch in February 2026, Al-Souriya adopted the motto "Syria Embraces Everyone," rendered in Arabic as a statement signifying broad inclusivity across Syrian society. This slogan underscores the channel's intent to foster unity by addressing diverse public concerns and serving as a national platform post-conflict. The motto marks a thematic pivot in the channel's identity. In the context of Syria's transition following the 2024 ouster of the previous government, this shift reflects efforts toward reconciliation, positioning Al-Souriya as a bridge-builder among divided communities. The emphasis on embracing "everyone" signals a deliberate move to prioritize collective healing and family-centric narratives, aligning with the channel's refreshed identity as inclusive and reflective of varied Syrian experiences.

Programming

Content Categories

Syria TV's programming encompasses a range of genres, including news bulletins that deliver updates on national and international events, often aligned with state perspectives. Drama productions form a core category, featuring social dramas, comedies, and historical series set in eras like Damascene times, with multiple series airing during peak seasons such as Ramadan. Cultural shows highlight Syrian heritage, arts, and traditions, while political discussions provide forums for commentary on governance and policy. Entertainment segments include variety programs, competitions, and light-hearted formats designed to engage audiences, alongside religious content such as iftar broadcasts and faith-related segments during Ramadan. Family-oriented series serve as staples, blending narrative storytelling with relatable everyday scenarios to maintain viewer loyalty. The relaunch has diversified these categories, evolving from state-directed content to a broader mix incorporating more commercial entertainment and social programming. This shift emphasizes varied formats like service-oriented shows addressing economic and daily citizen issues, enhancing overall accessibility.

Focus on Family and Society

Following its 2026 relaunch, Al-Souriya has prioritized programming that promotes family values, community cohesion, and Syrian cultural identity, with content designed to foster unity among diverse societal segments and preserve national heritage through reflective storytelling. Shows such as societal-themed dramas explore interpersonal relationships and communal challenges faced by Syrian families, while community features highlight local initiatives and social issues to encourage dialogue and solidarity. This approach differentiates the channel from its pre-relaunch era, where broadcasts were more aligned with official narratives amid conflict, by now emphasizing inclusivity and shared experiences to bridge divides within Syrian society. The channel's motto, "Al-Souriya embraces everyone," underscores this thematic intent.

Operations

Ownership and Governance

Syria TV is owned and operated by the Syrian government through the General Authority for Radio and Television (GART), the state entity responsible for managing public broadcasting outlets including television channels. GART maintains full control over strategic direction and content alignment with national interests. Governance of Syria TV falls under the Ministry of Information, which supervises GART to enforce a public service mandate focused on informing and uniting the population. This structure integrates the channel into broader national media policy, prioritizing state-guided narratives over commercial or independent operations. The 2026 relaunch proceeded within this established framework to sustain continuity in public broadcasting.

Technical Broadcast Details

Following its relaunch, Al-Souriya primarily transmits via the Nilesat 201 satellite at 7.0°W on frequency 11938 V with a symbol rate of 27500, utilizing DVB-S standards for broadcast. This configuration supports wide accessibility across the Middle East beam, targeting Syrian viewers domestically and in the diaspora through satellite reception. The 2026 relaunch incorporated modern technologies to enhance audio-visual quality and ensure reliable post-war distribution.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.