Tele Liban to reopen Hazmieh office

Tele Liban (TL), the national channel, will revive its presence in Hazmieh after a 15-year closure, according to Chairman Talal Makdessi.

The channel’s premises in Hazmieh will be renovated for $1 million, to be advanced by the State. The designs are being drawn and the administration is expected to hold a tender for the renovation.

“The Council of Ministers has to take a decision to employ new staff for the branch,” said Makdessi.

The renovation will allow TL to expand the number of programs and series it broadcasts across the country. “The premises will be used for all types of broadcasts,” he said. The Hazmieh building has an area of 4,000 square meters, as opposed to the channel’s headquarters in Tallet el Khayyat, which total 1,100 m2.

The office in Hazmieh was used for another channel (canal 9) under Tele Liban 15 years ago. The two channels were later unified in the Tallet el Khayat location.

“We have five studios in Tallet el Khayat but in Hazmieh the studio space is 400 m2. It is a dream come true,” said Makdessi.

The Hazmieh premise opening is part of a plan to activate the State-run TV channel. The plan also aims to shift audio-visual broadcasts from analog to digital transmission.