English Premier League
Waleed Al-Farraj rejects Al Hilal fan label after joining Alwaleed bin Talal’s Rotana channel
Waleed Al-Farraj says he will not become an Al Hilal supporter after joining the television network owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the club’s owner.
The Saudi media presenter has moved to Rotana channels for the new season, where he will host a daily programme, Rotana Sports with Waleed, on Rotana Khalijia.
Addressing viewers at the start of the programme’s opening episode, Al-Farraj responded to suggestions that his move could affect the programme’s editorial position because Alwaleed bin Talal is the main investor in Al Hilal.
“Some people say that Waleed Al-Farraj has moved to work for Rotana channels, owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the main investor in Al Hilal, and that the programme will therefore operate through WhatsApp messages,” he said.
He then dismissed the idea that his new role would turn him into a representative of one club.
“Forget it. After all these years in which we built this name, I will not come in the final stages of my media career and waste my history by presenting a programme that adopts one single point of view,” Al-Farraj said.
He added that the programme would include a range of opinions, while making clear that it would also have its own editorial stance.
“All points of view will be present, but there should be no sensitivity about the programme’s opinion, because it will have one. The media is not neutrality, but we must have our own opinion and point of view. Guests also have the right to express their views independently,” he said.
Some critics had questioned why Al-Farraj had chosen to join a platform they believed had a clear direction. He said he would explain the reasons behind his decision.
“Some people say I should not have been on that platform because it has a clear direction, but I will list the reasons why I chose to be on that channel,” he said.
Al-Farraj described Rotana as a major Arab media platform and said he was pleased to be involved in its development plans.
“Rotana is a great platform across the entire Arab world, and there is a direction within the group for a very major development leap. I wanted to be part of it and I am honoured to do so,” he added.
He also revealed that he met Prince Alwaleed bin Talal during the early stages of negotiations to discuss how they would work together.
“The most important aspect is that, at the beginning of the negotiations, I met Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and discussed with him how we would work together, especially because I am an emotional person and so is he,” Al-Farraj said.
According to Al-Farraj, the businessman drew a distinction between his personal association with Al Hilal and the editorial work produced by Rotana.
“Prince Alwaleed bin Talal told me that he is a businessman, not a supporter, and that he can separate reason from emotion. His connection with Al Hilal has nothing to do with what is presented in the media, particularly on Rotana channels,” he said.
Al-Farraj concluded by thanking Prince Alwaleed bin Talal for his backing and for giving the programme wide editorial powers.
“On that basis, I am honoured to be on this channel under the leadership of this man. I thank Prince Alwaleed bin Talal for his support and for giving the programme all the possible authority,” he said.
