Sudan TV explained

Sudan TV
Sudan National Broadcasting Corporation (SNBC)
Type:Broadcast and satellite television network
Country:Sudan
Language:Arabic
Owner:Government of Sudan

Sudan TV, run by the Sudan National Broadcasting Corporation' (SNBC), is an Arabic language television network. It is Sudan's national network and is government-owned and operated. Sudan TV is one of six television networks in the country.[1]

History

In December 1962, Sudan TV started broadcasting in the Khartoum region, and it was operated regularly in 1963. It was broadcast for at least 38 hours during the first few years.[2] The signal was accessible in the three municipalities of greater Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum Bahri. One year later, General Mohamed Talat Fareed established the station as a national broadcaster and signed a contract with a West German broadcaster to provide technical support, cameras and recorders.[3]

In the 1970s, Sudan TV expanded its transmission range, when the General Company for Wireless and Wired Telecommunications built a satellite station. In 1976, Sudan TV started transmitting in colour.

On 15 April 2023, the station abruptly stopped broadcasting when it was attacked by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the start of the War in Sudan (2023-present).[4] Its building was occupied by the RSF, who were subsequently besieged and evicted following heavy fighting by the Sudanese Armed Forces in March 2024.[5] The Ministry of Information said that the fighting had left the station devastated, with "extensive fire damage to the radio buildings, destruction of television studios, and the complete loss of new external broadcasting equipment" from theft or fire, in addition to the theft of all its vehicles.[6]

Programming

Programming includes news, prayers, Qur'an recitation and a variety of entertainment, such as children's programmes, talent contests, dramas and documentaries.[7] A military censor works with Sudan TV to make sure the programmes reflect government policy.[1]

Stations

Sudan TV broadcasts on two channels and is also available via satellite.[1]

See also

References

  1. News: 2011-07-09 . Sudan profile - Media . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-02-21.
  2. Web site: World Communications . 1975 . . 19 April 2024 . 115.
  3. https://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/cs/pdf/CS_Sudan.pdf David H. Shinn, editor: LaVerle Berry, Sudan: A Country Study, pp. 271–275, Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, Washington D.C
  4. Web site: Sudan state TV cuts transmission amid clashes . Reuters. Makary . Adam . April 16, 2023.
  5. Web site: Sudan's army says it took control of national radio and television HQ. Reuters. Ahmed. Elimam. March 12, 2024.
  6. Web site: RSF occupation leaves national broadcaster in ruins . Sudan Tribune . March 27, 2024.
  7. Web site: Sudan TV . usurped . Oct 18, 2000 . https://web.archive.org/web/20001018035019/http://www.sudantv.net/ . en . 22 July 2023.