Laayoune TV

Laayoune TV is a Moroccan public television channel based in Laayoune, also known as El Aaiún, and operated within the state-owned Société Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision (SNRT) Group. It was established in November 2004 as a regional service for Morocco's Southern Provinces, a politically disputed area administered by Morocco. The channel's remit combines local broadcasting with broader regional and international outreach. Laayoune TV launched on 6 November 2004 at 9:30 p.m. Its initial schedule lasted approximately two and a half hours and was distributed terrestrially in the Southern Provinces as well as by satellite through Arabsat. The service was subsequently made available across digital platforms, including satellite, digital terrestrial television and cable. Its base in Laayoune gives it a direct connection to the communities, cultural practices and public affairs of the region. The channel's programming is primarily delivered in Moroccan Arabic and Hassaniya Arabic. In its early phase, however, it also used French and Spanish content to reach audiences beyond Morocco. French-language programming was intended to address Francophone populations in West Africa, including viewers in Mauritania, Senegal and Mali, while Spanish-language programming was oriented toward the Canary Islands and southern mainland Spain. Local culture was a continuing programming focus, alongside coverage designed to present the region as undergoing development and reconstruction. At launch, the project reportedly committed 17 million Moroccan dirhams to equipment and 7 million dirhams to production, and began with a staff of 25 people. By February 2006, its news operation had seven employees, several of whom had previously been unemployed. These details illustrate the channel's role not only as a broadcaster but also as a regional media and employment initiative. Laayoune TV operates alongside other SNRT services, including Al Aoula, Arryadia, Athaqafia, Al Maghribia, Assadissa, Aflam TV and Tamazight TV. Within that portfolio, it functions as a geographically focused public-service channel rather than a nationwide generalist network. Its editorial and cultural identity is tied to the Southern Provinces, while its distribution footprint and multilingual orientation allow it to address audiences across nearby North and West African and Spanish-speaking markets. On 15 February 2021, Laayoune TV began airing sign-language classes, adding an accessible educational component to its schedule. Publicly available reference material does not provide a detailed account of later programming changes, audience figures, financial performance or current management. The channel remains identified as an SNRT regional television service.

Laayoune TV was created as a Moroccan public television service for the Southern Provinces and launched in November 2004. The channel began operations on 6 November at 9:30 p.m. with an initial schedule of approximately two and a half hours. Its first distribution model combined terrestrial transmission in the Southern Provinces with satellite availability through Arabsat. It later became available through satellite, digital terrestrial television and cable platforms. The channel was established in Laayoune, the principal urban centre of the region, and was designed to provide programming connected to local society, culture and public affairs. Its early mission also had a regional and international dimension. Although Moroccan Arabic and Hassaniya Arabic became its principal languages, the initial programming strategy included French-language material for Francophone audiences in West Africa, particularly in Mauritania, Senegal and Mali. Spanish-language programming was intended to reach viewers in the Canary Islands and southern mainland Spain. Local cultural content remained a consistent feature, while the channel also sought to portray the region as a territory undergoing reconstruction and development. The launch involved reported investment of 17 million Moroccan dirhams in equipment and 7 million dirhams in production. The initial staff consisted of 25 people. By February 2006, the news department had seven employees, with most reportedly having previously been unemployed. This made the station part of a broader public-media and regional-development effort, in addition to its broadcasting function. Laayoune TV became part of the state-owned SNRT Group's portfolio of Moroccan television services. Its sister channels include the generalist Al Aoula, sports-focused Arryadia, cultural channel Athaqafia, international service Al Maghribia, religious channel Assadissa, film channel Aflam TV and Tamazight TV. Unlike the group's national services, Laayoune TV is geographically concentrated and specifically associated with the Southern Provinces. The channel's subsequent development has included educational and accessibility-oriented programming. On 15 February 2021, it began airing sign-language classes. Public reference material does not document a full chronology of later schedule changes, leadership appointments, audience measurements or corporate restructuring. The available record nevertheless identifies Laayoune TV as an operating SNRT regional channel distributed across multiple digital platforms and serving audiences in and around Laayoune.

• 2021

  Sign-language classes introduced

  [1]Laayoune TVen.wikipedia.org

  The channel started airing sign-language classes on 15 February 2021.

• 2006

  News operation documented

  [1]Laayoune TVen.wikipedia.org

  By February 2006, the channel's news staff numbered seven, most of whom had previously been unemployed.

• 2004

  Channel launches

  [1]Laayoune TVen.wikipedia.org

  Laayoune TV began broadcasting on 6 November 2004 at 9:30 p.m. with terrestrial coverage in the Southern Provinces and satellite distribution through Arabsat.

A Moroccan public-service regional broadcaster focused on the Southern Provinces, local culture and regional audiences, with programming in Moroccan Arabic and Hassaniya Arabic and historical use of French and Spanish for cross-border reach.

• Regional public television · 2004

  Laayoune TV channel service

  The core offering is a regional public television service based in Laayoune. It provides programming for audiences in Morocco's Southern Provinces and is distributed through terrestrial, satellite, digital terrestrial and cable platforms. Its schedule combines local and regional content with news, cultural, educational and general programming.

• News and cultural broadcasting · 2004

  Local and regional programming

  Laayoune TV's programming reflects its regional remit, with attention to local culture, regional affairs and public issues. The channel's principal languages are Moroccan Arabic and Hassaniya Arabic. During its early period, French and Spanish programming broadened its potential reach toward West Africa, the Canary Islands and southern Spain.

• Educational and accessibility programming · 2021

  Sign-language classes

  Beginning on 15 February 2021, Laayoune TV aired sign-language classes. The initiative added an educational and accessibility-focused element to the channel's public-service output.

• 2021

  Added sign-language educationOther

  Background

  The channel expanded its public-service and educational role.

  Action taken

  Laayoune TV began airing sign-language classes on 15 February 2021.

  Aftermath

  The programming broadened the channel's accessibility-oriented offering.

  Source

• 2004

  Adopted a multilingual regional-outreach strategyStrategy

  Background

  At launch, the channel served the Southern Provinces while also seeking audiences in nearby international markets.

  Action taken

  Alongside Moroccan Arabic and Hassaniya Arabic, early programming included French for Francophone West Africa and Spanish for viewers in the Canary Islands and southern mainland Spain.

  Aftermath

  The strategy positioned Laayoune TV as both a local public broadcaster and a regional service with cross-border ambitions.

  Source

1. 1Laayoune TVen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Laayoune TV official pagealaoula.ma