Alhurra (Arabic for "The Free One") is a commercial-free Arabic-language satellite television channel for the Middle East devoted primarily to news and information.

It covers 22 countries in the Middle East via the same satellites used by major indigenous Arabic channels. Alhurra also has a special Iraq stream, distributed via the Arabsat and Nilesat satellites as well as terrestrial transmitters.

In 2006, Alhurra launched a third network, targeting Arabic speakers in Europe via the Hotbird satellite.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• In December, Alhurra Television and Radio Sawa pre-empted regular programming to include extensive live news coverage of the conflict in Gaza. During the crisis, Alhurra shifted to an extended news-only format to give viewers the most up-to-date information on the conflict.
• Reporting on the 2008 presidential election gave audiences comprehensive explanations of how the American election process works starting from the party primaries and continuing through the transition. MBN sent reporters to early primary and caucus states.
• In-depth background reports on speakers, interviews with top officials and discussions of issues of special importance such as U.S. foreign policy, offered audiences keen insights at the Democratic and Republican national conventions. Alhurra has interviewed world leaders including heads of state from Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Territories.
• Radio Sawa expanded its coverage by adding FM transmitters in Fallujah, Ramadi and Tikrit; increasing the total number of FM transmitters in Iraq to 14.
• In September, a new all-news and information program, “Afia Darfur” began broadcasting to Darfur, Sudan. The daily 30-minute shortwave radio program focuses on the latest news from Sudan and the plight of displaced people in Darfur and eastern Chad and includes interviews with American officials, NGO representatives, representatives of displaced populations, and Sudanese experts.
• Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa are reaching new audiences through emergent digital technologies and interactive platforms. Young people in the region rely heavily on the Internet as an essential source of information. In November, Alhurra TV became a YouTube partner channel with its own page for viewing Alhurra programs that is responsive to YouTube's search engine.