Saudi TV launches 24/7 channel exclusively for women’s sports

Saudi Arabia is launching a 24-hour TV channel dedicated exclusively to women’s sports that will mix international programming with coverage of Saudi women’s soccer and other athletic competitions.  

AWSN, the All Women’s Sports Network, will team up with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and national broadcaster Saudi Sports Co. to operate the new channel, Reuters reports. 

The international AWSN channel, co-founded last year by comedian-actress Whoopi Goldberg and Los Angeles-based Jungo TV, can be seen in 65 countries. The new Saudi affiliate, SSC AWSN, will stream via the MBC Shahid platform.

“Together, we are breaking barriers by providing global coverage of Saudi women’s sports while introducing to the kingdom an unprecedented lineup of international leagues and talent,” AWSN CEO George Chung said.

The launch coincides with the current season of the Saudi Women’s Premier League soccer tournament, which will be broadcast both domestically and internationally for the first time. SSC AWSN will feature a prime-time league match each week, as well as UEFA soccer events and other international women’s sporting competitions.

Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the U.S., hailed the new channel’s introduction. “Since the launch of the Women’s Premier League in 2022, I have been immensely proud of the progress it has made,” the Ambassador said. “With this partnership, their fans abroad will be able to watch them live.”