Al-Saudiya Channel

Al-Saudiya, previously known as Saudi TV Channel 1, is the official Arabic channel of Saudi Television in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a news, cultural, and entertainment channel, broadcasting from the capital, Riyadh, to all parts of the world. It is one of seven Saudi television channels that represent the Saudi Broadcasting Authority affiliated with the Ministry of Media.

Al-Saudiya began its official television broadcast in black and white in July 1965, from two stations in Riyadh and Jeddah on a single channel. Later, the television broadcast reached Makkah al-Mukarramah and Taif from the Jeddah station in 1967. Subsequently, the broadcast began from the al-Madinah al-Munawwarah station in January 1968, followed by the Qassim station in October 1969. After that, the official color broadcast began on September 25, 1976, from the stations in Jeddah and Makkah al-Mukarramah. In 1972, the channel transmitted its first live broadcast of the Arafat Stand.

Throughout its history, al-Saudiya has covered pivotal events in the history of the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It presented the report "Kuwait Returns to Its People" on the day of the liberation of the State of Kuwait during the Second Gulf War, also known as the Kuwait Liberation War, in 1991. Annually, al-Saudiya broadcasts an announcement confirming the sighting of the crescent moon for the blessed month of Ramadan, as conveyed by the Royal Court. Furthermore, the media personalities Sulaiman al-Aidi and Sulaiman al-Issa are among the most familiar faces to the Saudi audience during the transmission of Royal Orders.

During the reign of King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the official closing time for the broadcast of Saudi TV Channel 1 (al-Saudiya) was eight o'clock every evening. The closure signal was represented by a clip of the Saudi flag fluttering behind a portrait of King Fahd, accompanied by the Saudi national anthem. Throughout the off-air hours, a test pattern known globally as PAL screen was displayed, with the continuous tune of the national song Watani al-Habeeb playing.

Quiz programs have formed a significant part of the media culture, contributed to enhancing knowledge and public information within the community, and gained immense popularity among the broadcasts of al-Saudiya. The quiz show Huruf (Letters), hosted by Majed al-Shibl, achieved widespread societal fame. It was distinguished by its variety of cultural questions. In addition, the Bank of Information program became famous due to the unique personality of its presenter, Omar al-Khatib. From 1998 to 2009, the Race of the Viewers program, presented by Hamed al-Ghamdi, was one of the most famous Saudi Ramadan shows.

Al-Saudiya underwent two visual identity phases involving significant color design changes. The main visual icon features two crossed Arabian swords, with a palm tree filling the space between them. Initially, the design was monochromatic, but with the introduction of a revamped identity for al-Saudiya in 2018, the color palette became more vibrant.

On January 6, 2021, the Saudi Broadcasting Authority announced the new visual identity of its television channels. This new identity aimed to blend modern broadcasting techniques with distinctive content and creative production. The launch was accompanied by a diverse programming cycle, the largest in the history of the authority, ranging from political, entertainment, cultural, and historical programs to quiz shows, catering to various tastes, all under the slogan "You Deserve Love, al-Saudiya".