Riyadh, September 12, 2025 — In a major step forward for women’s sports in the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia is launching a 24-hour sports channel dedicated entirely to women’s sport. The new channel, to be called SSC AWSN, is a collaboration between the All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and the Saudi Sports Company. Reuters
What It Is
- The channel will stream through MBC Shahid. Reuters
- It will produce and broadcast both local and global women’s sporting events. The content lineup includes Saudi Women’s Premier League matches and UEFA competitions. Reuters
- SSC AWSN aims to increase the visibility of Saudi female athletes, domestically and internationally. Reuters
Why It’s Significant
- Cultural & Social Progress
For many years, women’s sports in Saudi Arabia faced limited exposure and participation. A dedicated channel helps normalize women’s sporting achievements as prime-time content and offers female athletes the platform they deserve. - Boost to Local Leagues & Talent
Broadcasting the Saudi Women’s Premier League internationally for the first time gives local clubs more exposure, possibly increasing sponsorship, professional standards, and fan interest. - Vision 2030 Alignment
This move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals: amplifying sports as a sector of national growth, promoting inclusion, and enhancing media & entertainment infrastructure. It’s part of the broader push to diversify culture, economy, and global perception. Reuters
Potential Challenges & What to Keep an Eye On
- Content Quality & Consistency: With 24-hour programming, maintaining high quality, varied content will be essential to retain viewership.
- Audience Engagement: Will local audiences, especially outside major cities, have access and interest? Bridging awareness gaps will be important.
- International Rights & Competition: Acquiring broadcast rights for global women’s sports is competitive and expensive. Ensuring these rights and balancing them with local content will be tricky.
- Commercial Viability: Sponsorship, ad revenue, and viewership numbers must justify the investment. Tracking early performance will matter.
What to Watch Next
- When SSC AWSN officially launches — what the schedule looks like, which events will be featured first, and how they are promoted.
- How international rights are negotiated, especially for women’s sports that have large followings elsewhere.
- Reactions from athletes, clubs, fans. Are they supportive? Are there push-backs about coverage or access?
- Metrics: audience numbers, subscription (if applicable), advertising partnerships.
Final Thought
The creation of SSC AWSN could be transformative for women’s sport in Saudi Arabia. It represents more than just another media channel — it’s a signal that female athletes are central to the country’s sporting future. For KSAsportz, this is a story of progress, visibility, and changing perspectives.