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SBA Showcases Exceptional Media Coverage of Hajj Season 1446

SBA Showcases Exceptional Media Coverage of Hajj Season 1446

Leaders01-06-2025

The Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has released a documentary film highlighting its outstanding efforts in covering the Hajj season of 1446 . The film underscores the extensive media operations undertaken to broadcast the Hajj rituals to a global audience and showcase the Kingdom's prominent role in serving pilgrims.
The documentary details the scale of the SBA's comprehensive media strategy and its use of cutting-edge technologies to deliver high-quality coverage. It also emphasizes the organization's commitment to portraying the national identity and reinforcing Saudi Arabia's international stature.
SBA
SBA CEO Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harithi described Hajj as an exceptional national event, during which the state mobilizes all available resources. He stressed that media coverage of Hajj is not only a professional task but also a national honor and duty.
Al-Harithi noted that the SBA's efforts extend beyond domestic broadcasting, reaching international audiences through collaboration with the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and other regional organizations. These partnerships aim to ensure that Hajj coverage reaches Muslim households around the world.
He also expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary, whose leadership has been instrumental in enabling the SBA to deliver world-class coverage of this significant event.
SBA Vice President Khaled Al-Ghamdi outlined the technical preparations, including the deployment of more than 14 TV production vehicles, 12 satellite uplink trucks, and nearly 120 cameras across the holy sites. These efforts enabled over 400 hours of live broadcasting across five dedicated Hajj channels.
Al-Ghamdi also highlighted the pre-season training of approximately 50 reporters, reflecting the SBA's ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality and professionalism of its Hajj coverage year after year.
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