Israel moves forward on plans for Arabic TV channel
February 23rd, 2010
Israel’s new Arabic television channel took a big step forward yesterday as the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee approved changes to the broadcasting law that improve the chances of a successful tender to operate the channel. The channel has been relieved of the usual local-production requirements. Otherwise, 20% of its content would have had to be locally produced. For the first two years the Arabic channel will only be required to fill 7.5% of its air time with original Israeli productions, rising to 12% in the the third year and then 20% from the fourth year on.
Nitzan Hen, chairman of the Cable and Satellite Broadcast Council, said: “We view the existence of a channel in Arabic as extremely important. It was lacking and is vital in the Israeli television landscape, and will provide an answer to Arab citizens of Israel who have not received adequate expression from the existing television channels.â€