TLC plans to launch its first Middle Eastern-specific television program in October, an Arab talk show for women.
Iraqi-American humanitarian, activist and reporter Zainab Salbi will host the show which will feature prominent guests such as former United States' President Bill Clinton, Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf, Egyptian actress Yusra and American fashion designer Donna Karan.
Entitled "Nida’a" or "The Calling" in English, the program will air on Dubai-based OSN, which is the region's most prominent pay-TV player. Topics such as "women’s issues, current events, pop culture, entertainment, food and fashion are all covered in front of a studio audience," according to a TLC statement.
"The ‘Nida’a’ show aims at inspiring, supporting and empowering young Muslim and Arab women to achieve their full potential in society," Salbi said.
"It provides high quality entertainment and current affairs content with a fresh, engaging and intelligent tone, reflective of young women in the Middle East today."
The new production will be TLC's first local program since it launched in the Middle East last March. Although other women's talk shows already exist within the region, this will be the first on that is American-produced.
However, the concept for the show comes directly from Salbi, who conceived and produced the new program. Salbi was previously nominated as a "21st century heroine" by President Clinton.
"When I talk to women around the region they say ‘We will not be silent anymore. Please, help us to find our voice so the pressure is lifted,’” Salbi told The National, explaining the motivation behind the show's creation.
“There’s a need for a space to talk about these things in a relaxed way. We want to present these issues in a way that is digestible."
You can tune in to the new program in October when it will launch with 10 initial episodes.