A new government-run satellite television channel is going to be launched in January 2009, said sources at the Syrian Television Headquarters in Damascus. The new channel, which is yet to be named, will run 24-hours of Syrian drama, both early black & white classics, and modern works by Syrian artists. It will rely heavily on archival works, dating back to the launch of Syrian TV during the union years with Egypt in 1960. Debate is underway whether the channel will run Arabic works (non-Syrian) in addition to Syrian ones, and whether any talk shows or documentaries about Syrian drama will be produced. Also in the works are two additional Syrian channels, due for 2009-2010, one being a 24-hour news channel like al-Jazeera, and a special channel for sports. One idea is to shut down Syrian Channel 2 and transfer its funds and staff to the Syrian Drama Channel. Earmarked to direct the new channel is Syrian TV anchor Anas Azrak. A graduate of philosophy at Damascus University, he was former head of the Cultural Programs Division at local Syrian TV, and director of programs at Syrian Satellite TV.

The Syrian Drama Channel is available on the following frequencies:

Hotbird 8 (13.0E) - 12245.00 H - 27,500 - 3/4

Badr 4 (26.0E) - 12054.00 V - 27,500 - 3/4

Atlantic Bird 4A (7.0W) - 10911.00 V - 27,500 - 3/4

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• Assad appoints a 29-member Constitutional Committee, for a new constitution by next February
• Sam Dalla: Was the Chinese model that good?

• Assad appoints a 29-member Constitutional Committee, for a new constitution by next February
• Sam Dalla: Was the Chinese model that good?

• Assad appoints a 29-member Constitutional Committee, for a new constitution by next February
• Sam Dalla: Was the Chinese model that good?