There are hundreds, if not thousands, of 24-hour channels on air around the world, but most turn their night-time hours to gap-filling programming. One new channel, Noor Dubai (left), wants to change that for Ramadan. There are some so-called 24-hour news channels which simply repeat their content during the quieter hours. But the Holy Month of Ramadan has a special significance in the Middle East, encouraging Noor Dubai’s management to try something new.

Noor Dubai, owned by the UAE’s Arab Media Group, will be the region’s first “major” 24-hour station devoted to community affairs, and will be an extension of the group’s existing Noor Dubai radio station.

The month of Ramadan has TV playing a crucial role. The daytime fast is broken at twilight with a family meal which can take some time – after which TV comes into its own. But it means that a station’s normal “primetime” is extended well into the night and early hours.

"It will be a progressive Islamic channel," said Abdullatif al Sayegh, the chief executive of AMG, which is based in Dubai. "Nothing like this exists." Although the satellite channel will be carried by satellite throughout the Arab world, its focus will be on the UAE. Sayegh says the majority of programming will consist of talk shows, current affairs, game shows and documentaries, 80% of which will be locally produced. "It's like a newspaper on TV," Sayegh said.

Arab Media Group is backing (with Viacom) the free to air MTV Arabia station over the Middle East, and last month launched Nickelodeon Arabia targeting younger viewers.

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