Manama: Bahrain is set to launch its first private television channel, Atlas Travel and Culture, sources yesterday told Gulf News.
The channel, owned by businessman Jamil Wafa and partners, will be chaired by media expert Dr Mohsen Saffar and will broadcast on the Arabsat and the Nilesat, reaching out to a wide audience.
According to the sources, the station has set up a studio in the posh area of Saar, about 15 kilometres west of Manama.
"The apolitical channel, which will be fully devoted to travel and culture, has already produced a series of interesting programmes on life in Bahrain and on the heritage and culture of the kingdom," the source said. "As a private channel, Atlas Travel and Culture is poised to broadcast views that are different from what the official media have been presenting, and it is predicted that it will appeal to a wide audience."
A senior information ministry figure welcomed the launch of the channel, to be announced formally today at a press conference.
