Search form

You are here

  • Home
  • SRMG launches Asharq documentary, delivering a unique offering of high-quality factual documentaries


SRMG launches Asharq documentary, delivering a unique offering of high-quality factual documentaries

At launch, Asharq Documentary will feature a diverse lineup of insightful Arabic language documentaries. (Supplied)
Short Url

https://arab.news/zbyx4

Updated 31 August 2023
Arab News
Follow

SRMG launches Asharq documentary, delivering a unique offering of high-quality factual documentaries

  • Asharq Documentary is an Arabic language free-to-air factual documentary multi-platform, uncovering the stories behind the headlines in politics, business and economics, and history
  • The launch is part of SRMG’s ongoing transformation and growth strategy, which seeks to enhance and expand its media portfolio
Updated 31 August 2023
Arab News

RIYADH: SRMG, the largest integrated media group from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has announced the launch of Asharq Documentary which is set to go live this Sunday, Sept. 3 at 3pm (GMT).

Asharq Documentary is an exciting new Arabic free-to-air factual documentary multi-platform. In response to the increasing demand in the region for documentaries, Asharq Documentary will offer a deep dive into topics including politics, business and economics, and history.

It will also offer unique insights and in-depth analysis on the latest trends, events, and influential figures shaping the world today. Asharq Documentary is the latest addition to the award-winning ‘Asharq News Network’, which includes Asharq News, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, and the soon-to-launch Asharq Discovery. 

According to our survey, more than 80 percent of those interviewed in MENA want more and higher quality Arabic content, illustrating that there is exceptional demand and a gap in the region for this type of content.

Furthermore, SRMG's Asharq News channel has already aired over 400 hours of quality documentaries with strong viewing figures and positive audience engagement - underlining the strong appetite for high-quality Arabic language documentary programmes in the region. 

One of the key differentiators of Asharq Documentary is its dedicated, in-house production capabilities which will provide access to exclusive, home-grown quality programming, looking beyond the leading regional and global news headlines to provide in-depth and bold analysis.

This in-house produced content will complement the channel’s licensed and acquired content. Whilst there is currently a deficit of locally produced documentaries, Asharq Documentary is uniquely positioned to fill this void by delivering original content that supports the regional filmmaking industry and fosters local and regional talent.

Commenting on the launch, Jomana R. Al-Rashid, CEO of SRMG said: “The MENA region currently lacks a comprehensive Arabic language documentary channel that delves into the topics shaping our world today. SRMG has seized the opportunity to expand into this untapped market by creating Asharq Documentary – a new free-to-air factual documentary multi-platform dedicated to uncovering the stories behind the trending headlines and delving deeper into the related facts and information. The new multi-platform will provide unprecedented access to Arabic language documentaries – including new content produced in-house, specifically for the region. Asharq Documentary is a further demonstration of SRMG's growth and expansion strategy to stay at the forefront of change by providing our audience with high-quality and thought-provoking content.”

Mohammed Al Yousei, Manager of Asharq Documentary stated: “Asharq Documentary aims to become the leading platform for prominent political documentaries, providing in-depth coverage of regional and international events. Asharq Documentary will produce factual films covering a wide range of topics including politics, economics, business, and history. The multi-platform offers in-depth insights and analysis utilizing state-of-the-art technology in our production process, to bring the content to life.”

At launch, Asharq Documentary will feature a diverse lineup of insightful Arabic language documentaries, such as:

  • ‘America and the Taliban’ – an epic three-part investigation that examines America’s 20- year investment in Afghanistan. The film includes on-the-ground reporting and interviews with US and Taliban officials. 
  • ‘Nuclear NOW’ – by the Oscar winning filmmaker Oliver Stone, this documentary explores the possibility for the global community to unlock a new energy source to save the planet. 
  • ‘Space War’ – a film that examines how the global competition to access space has created a new area of conflict and economic interest amongst the world's superpowers. 
  • ‘Real Madrid’ – an inspiring story showcasing the great victories and legendary players that contributed to Real Madrid becoming the world’s greatest football phenomenon. 

Asharq Documentary will be accessible through its dedicated television channel and social media accounts, as well as through live streaming and on-demand services via Asharq NOW. 

Topics: Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG) Asharq Documentary film

Related

Media
SRMG Ventures announces strategic investment in Anghami
Media
SRMG champions innovation and creativity at Cannes Lions 2023, launches Billboard Arabia

US lawmakers say Israel hasn’t held to account those involved in 2023 strike that killed Lebanon journalist

Updated 6 min 8 sec ago
Reuters
Follow

US lawmakers say Israel hasn’t held to account those involved in 2023 strike that killed Lebanon journalist

  • US Senator Peter Welch accused Israel of not conducting a serious investigation into the incident
Updated 6 min 8 sec ago
Reuters

WASHINGTON: Four US lawmakers on Thursday said there has been no accountability for an October 2023 attack by the Israeli military that struck a group of journalists in Lebanon, killing a Reuters visuals journalist and wounding others.

US Senator Peter Welch from Vermont, the home state of one of the journalists wounded in the attack, accused Israel of not conducting a serious investigation into the incident, saying he had seen no proof of that.

He did not specify what details he had requested from the Israeli government, or what, if anything, he had been given.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm what specific efforts Israel has made to investigate the attack, which it has pledged publicly to review.

On October 13, 2023, an Israeli tank fired two shells in quick succession from Israel as journalists were filming cross-border shelling. The attack killed Reuters visuals journalist Issam Abdallah and severely wounded Agence France-Presse (AFP) photographer Christina Assi.

Car belonging to an Al Jazeera team burns at the site where Reuters visuals journalist Issam Abdallah was killed and six others were wounded by two tank rounds fired from Israel, in Alma al-Chaab, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, October 13, 2023. (File/Reuters)

The Israeli military (IDF) has said it does not target journalists but has not offered an explanation for why that Israeli tank unit fired at the group of journalists.

In a news conference organized by two advocacy groups, Welch, a Democrat, said he had been given no written proof of an Israeli investigation into the attack, nor any evidence that Israeli officials have spoken with victims, witnesses, shooters or any of the independent investigators.

In June 2025, Senator Welch’s office was told by the Embassy that the IDF had conducted an investigation into the incident and the conclusion was that none of the soldiers acted outside of the IDF’s rules of engagement.

Standing next to AFP journalist Dylan Collins, an American citizen who was also wounded in the attack, Welch said the Israeli authorities have "stonewalled" him on his pleas for an investigation and gave him conflicting answers. Welch did not give further details about the interactions.

“The IDF has made no effort, none, to seriously investigate this incident,” Welch said. “The IDF claimed they conducted an investigation but there's absolutely no evidence that there was any investigation,” he added.

Welch said the Israeli government told his office the investigation was closed but separately told the AFP that the investigation was active and the findings have not been concluded.

“So which is it? Both can't be true,” Welch said.

Asked by Reuters about Welch's comments and whether its investigation is concluded, an IDF spokesperson said: “The event is still being examined.” The spokesperson did not provide further details.

AFP Regional Director for North America Marc Lavine said they had been seeking full accountability for what happened for more than two years.

“AFP calls on the Israeli authorities to reveal the results of any investigation and to hold those responsible to account,” Lavine said.

Since 2023, Reuters has asked the Israeli military to carry out a swift, thorough and transparent probe into the strike that killed Abdallah. It has still received no explanation from the IDF on the reasons for that strike, according to the news agency.

Reuters’ journalist Issam Abdallah films Ukrainian woman (not pictured) during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine. (File/Reuters)

Democratic US Senator Chris Van Hollen said at the news conference that more needs to be done.

“We have not seen accountability or justice in this case,” Van Hollen said. “It is part of a broader pattern of impunity, of attacks on Americans and on journalists by the government of Israel,” he said.

US Representative Becca Balint and independent US Senator Bernie Sanders, both of whom are also from Vermont, said their efforts to seek justice for the journalists would continue.

In August this year, Israeli forces struck Nasser hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip, killing at least 20 people including journalists who worked for Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and other outlets.

An Israeli military official told Reuters at the time that the two journalists for Reuters and the Associated Press who were killed in the Israeli attack were not “a target of the strike”.

Topics: Battlefield Lebanon

Related

Media
Journalist fatalities worldwide match record high in 2025, media watchdog reports
Media
Press groups slam Israel’s ongoing ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza

Latest updates

Maresca ‘relaxed’ about Chelsea’s rough patch
Federal judge issues order to prohibit immigration officials from detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Mane v Mbemba: An AFCON cameo to relish in Morocco
Pakistan to discuss regional issues, economic ties at UAE summit this week
Zelensky visits Kupiansk as Ukraine retakes parts of frontline town

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.