Al-Souriya TV
Al-Souriya TV is a Syrian public, free-to-air general-interest television channel based in Damascus.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Al-Souriya TV is a Syrian public television channel operated by the Syrian General Authority for Radio and Television. The service was established in Damascus in 1995 and has operated under several names, including Syrian Satellite Channel, Syrian TV, and Syria TV, before adopting the Al-Souriya TV name in 2026. Its core role has been to provide a nationwide public television service while also reaching viewers outside Syria through satellite distribution. The channel has historically combined general entertainment, Syrian drama, news, public-affairs programming, live broadcasts, sports coverage, social programming, and magazine formats. Its principal language is Arabic, although some programming and news output have also been available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Turkish. The service has been distributed through Syrian digital terrestrial television and through satellite platforms serving international audiences. Al-Souriya TV’s institutional identity is closely connected to the Syrian state broadcasting system. During the Syrian revolution and subsequent civil war, the channel was widely characterized as a state-media outlet used by the Assad government as a propaganda instrument. This political role affected how the service was perceived domestically and internationally, distinguishing it from a commercially oriented entertainment network even when much of its schedule consisted of general-interest content. The channel also became involved in the risks faced by media workers during the conflict. On 26 May 2013, opposition forces attacked a Syria TV team near al-Daba'a village in the countryside of al-Qusayr in Homs province. Cameraman Asem al-Shaar was injured in the incident. The attack illustrated the dangers confronting television crews operating in contested areas and the extent to which state broadcasters were treated as participants in the conflict’s information environment. A major institutional rupture occurred on 8 December 2024, amid opposition advances and the fall of Damascus. Opposition forces took control of the channel and used its live broadcast to announce the fall of the Assad regime. The service was subsequently suspended on digital terrestrial transmission and satellite distribution on 15 December 2024. During the transition period, broadcasting remained paused and the official website entered a redesign phase. In mid-January 2026, the channel resumed transmission through the Nilesat 201 satellite on 11938 V. The initial signal consisted of a static image carrying the channel logo while preparations were made for a full programming relaunch. The service officially relaunched on 19 February 2026 at 10:00 Arabia Standard Time under the Al-Souriya TV name. The relaunch was planned to coincide with the beginning of Ramadan and represented a rebranding and restart of the national television service after its suspension. The channel’s public positioning therefore combines national broadcasting, general entertainment, news, and state or public-service communication. Its long-term identity and editorial direction after the 2026 relaunch remain subject to developments during Syria’s transition period.
History
Al-Souriya TV was established in Damascus in 1995 as part of Syria’s public broadcasting system. It initially operated under the name Syrian Satellite Channel and later used Syrian TV and Syria TV before its 2026 relaunch as Al-Souriya TV. The channel was designed as a free-to-air national service, distributed through digital terrestrial television inside Syria and satellite platforms for viewers abroad. Its schedule developed around general-interest television. In addition to Syrian drama and other entertainment, the channel carried news, current affairs, social and public-service formats, sports programming, magazine shows, and live broadcasts. Arabic was the dominant language, with selected programming or news output also available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Turkish. Programs listed for the service included Aalam men Akhbar, Jilna, Sabah al Khair, Al-Nas lel Nas, Hamzet Wasel, Al-Balad Baladak, Mulaeb al Ghad, Huna Dimashq, Nahja Maan, Al-Muwaten w el-Wazeer, Hadis Al-Balad, and Bath Mubashar. During the Syrian revolution and civil war, the channel’s institutional relationship with the Assad government became central to its public identity. It was described as being used by the regime as a propaganda tool, meaning that its news and political output were understood in the context of state messaging and the wider conflict over control of information. The channel’s crews also operated in a dangerous wartime environment. On 26 May 2013, opposition forces attacked a Syria TV team near al-Daba'a village in the countryside of al-Qusayr in Homs province, injuring cameraman Asem al-Shaar. The channel underwent a decisive change during the opposition offensive that culminated in the fall of Damascus. On 8 December 2024, opposition forces took control of the station and announced the fall of the Assad regime live on air. The broadcast takeover marked a break with the channel’s previous institutional role and placed the future of the service within Syria’s political transition. On 15 December, the channel’s digital terrestrial and satellite broadcasts were suspended. During the subsequent transition period, the television service temporarily stopped broadcasting. Its official website also entered a redesign phase, indicating that the channel’s identity and operating structure were being reconsidered. In mid-January 2026, transmission resumed on Nilesat 201 at 11938 V, initially showing a static image with the channel logo rather than a complete schedule. This interim signal accompanied preparations for a new programming format. The formal relaunch took place on 19 February 2026 at 10:00 Arabia Standard Time. The service adopted the Al-Souriya TV name, with the relaunch planned to coincide with the beginning of Ramadan. The post-relaunch direction, editorial standards, management, and long-term programming strategy remain dependent on developments in Syria’s transitional political and broadcasting institutions. Al-Souriya TV is therefore both a continuing national television brand and a media institution whose meaning has been reshaped by war, regime change, suspension, and re-establishment.
- 2026
Satellite transmission resumes
[1]The channel returned to Nilesat 201 in mid-January with a static logo signal while preparing a full relaunch.
- 2026
Relaunch as Al-Souriya TV
[1]The channel officially relaunched under the Al-Souriya TV name on 19 February.
- 2024
Opposition forces take control of the channel
[1]During the fall of Damascus on 8 December, opposition forces took over the station and announced the fall of the Assad regime live on air.
- 2024
Broadcast suspension
[1]Digital terrestrial and satellite transmission was suspended on 15 December.
- 2013
Television crew attacked near al-Qusayr
[1]An opposition attack near al-Daba'a village in Homs province injured cameraman Asem al-Shaar.
- 1995
Channel established in Damascus
[1]The Syrian public television service was established in Damascus and began operating as a national satellite-oriented channel.
Products and positioning
A Syrian public, free-to-air national television service combining general entertainment, Syrian drama, news, public affairs, sports, social programming, and live coverage for domestic and international audiences.
Free-to-air television channel · 1995
General-interest television service
The channel’s principal offering is a free-to-air public television service distributed nationwide through Syrian digital terrestrial television and internationally through satellite platforms. Its schedule combines entertainment, news, public affairs, social programming, sports, Syrian drama, and live coverage. Arabic is the primary language, supplemented by selected multilingual programs and news output.
Entertainment
Syrian drama programming
Syrian drama is a recurring programming component of the channel. The offering consists of locally oriented serial content presented within the broader general-entertainment schedule and is associated with the channel’s role as a national broadcaster.
News and current affairs
News and public-affairs programming
News and public-affairs formats include Aalam men Akhbar, Huna Dimashq, Al-Muwaten w el-Wazeer, Hadis Al-Balad, and live broadcast segments. These programs place the channel within Syria’s public information system as well as its entertainment role.
Controversies
2024
State-media propaganda role during the Syrian conflict
During the Syrian revolution and civil war, the channel was characterized as a propaganda instrument of the Assad regime. This assessment concerned the channel’s political and news role within the conflict rather than a discrete commercial scandal.
Brand decisions
2026
Relaunch and renaming as Al-Souriya TVGeneration changeBackground
After the 2024 suspension and a period of transition, the channel prepared to resume service under a new public identity.
Action taken
Satellite transmission resumed in mid-January, followed by a formal relaunch as Al-Souriya TV on 19 February.
Aftermath
The channel returned to the air with a revised identity, although its long-term editorial and organizational direction remained dependent on Syria’s transition.
2024
Broadcasting suspended after change in controlOtherBackground
Opposition forces took control of the channel during the fall of Damascus on 8 December 2024.
Action taken
Digital terrestrial and satellite broadcasts were suspended on 15 December.
Aftermath
The service entered a temporary suspension period while its website was redesigned and its future broadcasting format was reconsidered.
Sources2 sources
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