Al Saudiya (formerly known as Saudi TV Channel 1 / KSA 1) is the national general-entertainment channel of Saudi Arabia, operated by the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA).
What Is Al Saudiya?
Al Saudiya is an Arabic-language television channel broadcasting news, culture, religious programming, and general entertainment, run by the SBA. The channel has previously been known as Saudi TV 1, KSA 1, and Saudi 1, and is now widely distributed via FTA satellite and the Aloula OTT platform.
Highlights:
- SBA's flagship national channel, balancing mainstream news with cultural and religious content.
- On air since 1965, and a pioneer in Hajj ceremony broadcasts starting in late 1974.
- Available via Badr 8 satellite (26.0E) and the Aloula app (live + VOD).
History and Key Milestones
Origins (1962–1965)
- 1962: Crown Prince and Prime Minister Faisal announced plans to roll out television broadcasting.
- 1965: The Council of Ministers approved the launch; the channel began test broadcasts from Riyadh and Jeddah under the name "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Channel," initially airing under an hour a day before expanding to roughly 6 hours in the evening.
Color Broadcasting and Infrastructure Expansion (1974–1980)
- 1974–1975: Color broadcasting was introduced (via a contract with a French agency, using the SECAM standard); due to high equipment costs, adoption spread gradually until around 1980.
- Late 1974: Became the first channel to broadcast the Hajj ceremony live, cementing its role as the national channel for religious and cultural events.
Digital Modernization (2020s)
SBA expanded distribution through Aloula (OTT/VOD + live), while continuing FTA satellite broadcasts on Badr 8 (26.0E) and other regional satellite clusters.
Content Focus and Programming
Al Saudiya is a national general-interest channel, focusing on:
- News and current affairs: Coverage of government activity, policy, and socio-economic developments.
- Culture and religion: Islamic programming, Hajj coverage, Ramadan content, and national events.
- General entertainment: Egyptian, Saudi, and Gulf dramas/series, also available as VOD on Aloula.
How it differs from other SBA channels: While Al Ekhbariya focuses on in-depth news, SBC leans toward entertainment, and Saudi Sports covers sports, Al Saudiya remains the flagship channel, balancing news, culture, and entertainment.
Target Audience
- Core audience: The Saudi public and Arabic speakers across MENA; Muslim communities interested in religious events (Hajj, Ramadan); and middle-aged to older viewers who favor national channels.
- Viewing behavior: Live viewing of news and religious events via satellite TV; catching up on series/movies (VOD) via Aloula; following the channel through mobile/tablet apps.
- Reasons for loyalty: Editorial authority, wide (FTA) coverage, multi-platform integration (satellite + OTT), and a stable schedule with highly localized content.
How to Watch Al Saudiya: Satellite, OTT & Digital
Satellite (FTA)
- Main satellite: Badr 8 (26.0E) – covering the EMENA region; the channel is typically included in regional FTA packages.
- Note: Exact frequencies may vary by provider and over time; check an updated frequency chart (e.g., KingOfSat) before publishing.
Official OTT – Aloula
- Platform: Aloula (SBA's VOD + live streaming service).
- App: Available on Google Play and the App Store (app name: "Aloula" / "الأولى").
- Live channels: Users can stream 6 live channels, including the KSA channel (Al Saudiya), SBC, Zikrayat, Al Ikhbariya, AlSana AlNabawiya, and AlKuran AlKarim.
- Availability: Serves users in the Arab region and select international markets; the interface is bilingual (Arabic/English).
- Licensing restrictions: Some VOD content (series/movies) may be region-restricted; live streaming of Al Saudiya is generally broader in availability but still subject to SBA policy.
Web & Public IPTV
- Official website: The domain aloula.sba.sa is referenced as SBA's official site; some sources also cite a "SAUDI 1 Official website," but the specific link should be verified before publishing.
- Public IPTV: Public M3U8 playlists listing Al Saudiya (1080p) exist online; however, these are unofficial sources and may change at any time.
Value and Competitive Position
- Industry influence: As SBA's flagship national channel, it plays a defining role in shaping official information and reflecting national media policy.
- Position within the SBA lineup: Al Saudiya is the flagship general-interest channel, while channels like Al Ekhbariya (in-depth news), SBC (entertainment), Saudi Sports (sports), and Quran/Sunnah channels (religion) serve more specialized segments.
- Core strengths:
- Authority and trust (state-run, with content curated according to national direction).
- Wide coverage (FTA satellite + Aloula OTT).
- Content legacy (pioneer of Hajj broadcasts, a history dating back to 1965).
FAQ
Is Al Saudiya a state-run channel?
Yes. Al Saudiya belongs to the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA), the state broadcasting body under Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Media.
When did the channel launch?
The channel began broadcasting on July 7, 1965 (some sources cite November 17, 1965, depending on calendar conversion), initially airing in black and white from Riyadh and Jeddah.
Can Al Saudiya be watched outside Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The channel broadcasts via FTA satellite on Badr 8 (26.0E) and is available on Aloula (live + VOD), serving the Arab region and select international markets.
How does Al Saudiya differ from Al Ekhbariya or SBC?
- Al Saudiya: National general-interest channel (news – culture – entertainment).
- Al Ekhbariya: In-depth news, political and economic affairs.
- SBC: General entertainment, movies and family programming.
