Al Ekhbariya (الإخبارية) is an Arabic news and current affairs satellite TV channel based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Launched on 11 January 2004, its aim according to its director was to present "a new image of the Gulf Arab state" to the wider region and the world. After the hiring of several Saudi women, its first bulletin was read by the kingdom's first female news presenter. Correspondents are based across the Middle East, Europe and America to provide coverage of news stories from around the world.