Doha: Qatar TV has succeeded in attracting a large number of viewers by broadcasting various programmes for all members of the community with different age groups during its 52-year-long journey.
The programmes that have been covering religious, social, awareness, entertainment, and sports activities served youth, women, children, and families.
Daily and dedicated programmes were also broadcast addressing social issues and services related to people.
The TV aired exclusive documentary programmes on the legacy of the country and its achievements. It also documented the prominent personalities of Qatar who played a key role in the development of the country in the past and at present.
Since its launch the programmes of the channel left an impressive imprint among Arabic programmes on its viewers, encouraging for broadcasting of new programmes to meet the aspirations of people.
Qatar TV was launched in 1970. On August 15, 1970, the first presenter talked with viewers announcing the launch of the channel in black and white.
An integrated development plan for Qatar TV was launched in 2011 for adding international standard broadcasting equipment and building modern studios.
Under the development plan, a number of qualified cadres were also hired. The plan succeeded in launching a slew of new programmes with new shapes and content to suit all types of viewers with different age groups and social backgrounds.
The dedicated team of Qatar TV did not leave any stone unturned to bring the channel to a leading position.
Speaking about the secret behind the success of Qatar TV on the occasion of its 52nd anniversary, former employees, in various programmes aired by Qatar TV on its 52nd anniversary, said that the most important thing in the development of Qatar TV was the spirit of the employees who were working as a team.
“They loved the work. We worked until late night for preparing the programmes. In the beginning, the number of the employees was not big, so teamwork was needed,” said the employee.
“We were working as one team supporting each other long hours beyond duty hours. Many old employees of Qatar TV died but their echoing memories are still at the channel.”
An employee said that Qatar TV is attracting a large number of viewers despite the emergence of many new channels. “Qatar TV was my second home, and I am still feeling affiliated with the channel. I learned real and practical journalism during my service with Qatar TV,” said an employee.
Qatar TV 2 was launched on July 23, 2020, to rebroadcast the most important programmes and productions of Qatar TV in the past. The rich archive of Qatar TV encouraged the launch of the new channel Qatar TV 2.
An Amiri decree was issued in 1969 to launch Qatar TV.
“After passing two years of the launch of Qatar Radio, Qatar TV had broadcast in black and white.
The first broadcast of Qatar TV took place at 5pm on August 15, 1970. I was the first presenter. I am proud of it,” said a former presenter of Qatar TV, Abdul Wahab Al Mutawa.
Marwan Abu Shanab, a reporter for Qatar TV said: “I joined Qatar TV in 2001 as a reporter in the local section. My first assignment was Hawlal Madina (Around The City) programme where I served for three years and then transferred to the business section.”
“I faced many challenges in the beginning. The most important thing in journalism for a presenter is to understand what they are presenting. I struggled hard for three to four years to understand the business and economy – local and international,” said Abu Shanab.
The women cadres of Qatar TV also made remarkable contributions in the development of the channel.
In the beginning, in 1970s, Dahbiya Gabi joined Qatar TV as a presenter. She presented news and cultural and art programmes. Gabi bagged a number of TV awards on Arab and GCC levels during her service.
Fawziya Saleh was one of the famous presenters on Qatar TV. She presented programmes for children and interacted with them.
There are still many women presenters working with Qatar TV. Hanan Al Emadi is one of the best examples of successful women presenters of Qatar TV.
“I joined Qatar TV in 2007. It was my dream to be a TV presenter which came true with the Fi Al Duha programme which was launched in 2012. I am still continuing with this programme,” said Hanan Al Emadi.
Narrating his journey at Qatar TV, a famous anchor of the channel said that he presented the first programme in 1978 where he announced the time of Isha prayer.
Since the launch in 1970 until now, Qatar TV is keeping pace with fast development of the country adopting advanced technologies. The qualified cadres of the channel left their footprint in the echoing memories of viewers.
