Children have impressive capacity for learning

H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has launched the National Geographic Kids Abu Dhabi Channel, the first dedicated channel for children in the Middle East and the Arab region that teaches them about science, education and travel.

He added that children have an impressive capacity for learning and everyone must embrace their sense of curiosity and nourish their talents, to enable them to explore the world and positively contribute to it. He said that the National Geographic Kids Abu Dhabi Channel is a leading media initiative that aims to contribute to developing children’s culture.

"The love of science, curiosity, knowledge, compassion and tolerance is a value that we need to develop among children, to raise aware and responsible future generations that will be loyal to their values and open to the world. During Universal Children’s Day, we are betting on initiatives, such as the National Geographic Kids Abu Dhabi Channel, to provide media content that will contribute to developing our children’s intellect," Sheikh Hazza continued.

The launch of the new channel, which is part of the Abu Dhabi Channel's Network of Abu Dhabi Media and coincides with Universal Children’s Day, is a strategic partnership between Abu Dhabi Media and the National Geographic Group.

The launch was attended by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Media; Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Media; Sanjay Raina, Director-General and Vice President of the FOX Networks Group; Abdulrahman Awad Al Harthi, Acting Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Media Department, along with prominent and influential media figures.

"The launch of the channel is a new addition to Abu Dhabi Media’s strategic direction, regarding providing media content that fulfils the needs of its audience, promotes culture and awareness, and enriches the knowledge of children in the UAE and the Arab world," Al Kaabi said.

She added that the channel is the first scientific and cultural entertainment channel in Arabic, and its content supports the directives of Abu Dhabi to enhance the culture and awareness of its targeted age group, from eight to 13 years of age, which in line with the strategy of Abu Dhabi Media and its vision to be a leading media partner. She explained that the channel would achieve its goal of reaching out to 26 percent of children in the Arab world, who represent the majority of children who watch free or non-encrypted channels while only 7 percent watch encrypted channels.

Dr. Bin Tamim affirmed that the channel represents a new strategic addition, which supports the channels and media platforms that operate through Abu Dhabi Media. He also highlighted their partnership with National Geographic and reflected on their exceptional relationship since the launch of National Geographic Abu Dhabi, as the first documentary, knowledge and entertainment channel in the Arabic language.

Al Harthi went on to say that the new channel will provide opportunities for viewers to interact with unique and high-quality media content, which is in line with the best international standards and supports the department’s mission to motivate children and the youth and encourage them to follow cultural and scientific programmes.

"Abu Dhabi Media has succeeded in providing educational media content over the three past years, following the launch of the Majid Kids Channel, and today we are progressing to a new phase through the launch of a new specialised channel, which will develop the interests of our children, motivate them to learn and explore interactively, and contribute to strengthening our media position," Al Harthi concluded.