Israel has awarded a licence to what will be its first Arab satellite TV channel.
According to Haaretz, the service will be operated by the Hala TV group and is likely to make its debut in January 2012.
It will be available free via both cable and DTH and may also secure carriage on the Idan + DTT platform.
There have been a number of previous attempts to set up such a channel by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council and Ananey Communications. The Hala TV group includes both Arab and Jewish partners.
