The 26th Arab Radio and Television Festival is set to take place from 21 to 24 September 2026 in Tunis and Hammamet, bringing together Arab broadcasters, media professionals, artists and technology specialists around four days of exchange, innovation and creativity.
The programme and highlights of this year’s edition were unveiled on Thursday, 17 September, during a press conference held at the ASBU headquarters in Tunis, attended by representatives of the local and Arab media.
Organized by ASBU under the theme “Where Image Pulses and Future Echoes,” the Festival is held in partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Tunisian Television, Tunisian Radio and Arabsat.
A leading Arab platform for media and creativity
Opening the press conference, ASBU Director-General Eng. Abdelrahim Suleiman welcomed representatives of the local and Arab media and underlined the growing role of the Festival as a meeting point for Arab creativity, professional exchange and technological innovation.
As the Festival marks its 45th anniversary, he highlighted its evolution into a major regional gathering connecting media professionals, creative talents and technology experts.
He also praised the strong partnerships supporting this year’s edition, particularly the cooperation with the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Tunisian Television, Tunisian Radio and Arabsat. He announced the renewal of ASBU’s partnership agreement with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for the 2027–2030 period, further consolidating cooperation around the Festival.
ASBU Director-General also expressed his appreciation to Tunisia for hosting the event and for providing the appropriate setting to welcome participants and guests from across the Arab region and internationally.
Tunisia reaffirms its support
Representing the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Mr. Seifallah Tarchouni, Director-General of the Opera Theatre at the City of Culture, reaffirmed the Ministry’s continued commitment to the success of the Festival.
He highlighted the human and logistical resources being mobilised to support the event and ensure the smooth delivery of its programme across Tunisia’s cultural and artistic venues.
He further stressed the importance of Tunisia’s longstanding cooperation with ASBU and expressed the Ministry’s readiness to continue supporting joint initiatives that contribute to the Festival’s visibility both regionally and internationally.
Tunisian Television celebrates 60 years
For Tunisian Television, this year’s Festival carries a particular significance as it coincides with the broadcaster’s 60th anniversary. Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Chokri Ben Nasr, Director General of Tunisian Television, highlighted the close cooperation between the broadcaster and ASBU, particularly in providing the technical, human and logistical resources required for the Festival and ensuring comprehensive media coverage of its activities.
He also outlined several of Tunisian Television’s current projects, including the launch of its new digital platform Al Wataniya Extra, the creation of a national sports channel and the ongoing digitization of its archives…
Ms. Henda Ben Alaya Ghribi, Director General of Tunisian Radio, highlighted its broad involvement in the 26th edition, both through its support for the Festival and its participation in a wide range of activities and competitions.
She also expressed Tunisian Radio’s interest in joining the renewed partnership framework for the coming years, with a view to further developing its cooperation with ASBU and contributing to the Festival’s future editions.
Arabsat marks 50 years of partnership and innovation
In a video message presented during the press conference, Dr. Badr bin Nasser Al-Suwaidan, CEO of Arabsat, highlighted the strategic partnership between Arabsat and ASBU and its contribution to the development of Arab broadcasting and media capabilities.
He emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in responding to rapid technological developments in broadcasting and communications, while supporting the production, distribution and visibility of Arab content.
The 26th Festival also coincides with Arabsat’s 50th anniversary, adding a special dimension to the occasion and highlighting the longstanding cooperation between the two organizations.
A Four-day Programme Bringing Together Media, Technology and Arts
Presenting the programme of the 26th edition, ASBU Director-General highlighted a diverse line-up combining media, technology, professional exchange and artistic performances.
The Festival will officially open on 21 September at the Carthage Amphitheatre, with performances by Syrian star Nassif Zeytoun and Iraqi artist Rahma Riad. The opening evening will also feature tributes to prominent figures from Arab television, radio, cinema and the wider media sector.
The technology and equipment exhibition will be another major feature of the Festival, bringing together more than 85 exhibitors across 110 booths over an area of approximately 2,500 square metres. The exhibition will showcase the latest solutions and innovations in the audiovisual industry, alongside a market dedicated to programme content.
The professional programme will include a series of seminars at the César Theatre, addressing some of the key developments shaping today’s media landscape. Topics include “Podcast: Content Trends and the Power of Influence,” “Audiences and Content Creation: From Reception to Partnership,” and “Tourism Media: From Reporting Events to Creating the Destination.”
The Festival will conclude on 24 September at the Opera Theatre of the City of Culture with the exclusive premiere of “Safar Ilayka wa Ghanni,” produced by ASBU and written by Karim Thlibi.
The closing evening will also celebrate the winners of the Festival’s main and parallel radio and television competitions, as well as the New Media Competition, bringing the 26th edition to a close on a note of creativity and recognition.
The press conference concluded with questions from journalists, focusing in particular on the Festival’s technical preparations, arrangements for the opening ceremony, the press meeting with guests of honour and award recipients, and the criteria guiding their selection.
