Hannibal TV
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Tunisian television network launched in 2005 and named after the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Hannibal TV is a Tunisian television network associated with Tunimedia SARL. It began broadcasting in February 2005 after Tunimedia received a renewable ten-year broadcasting license from Tunisian authorities in February 2004. The license reportedly carried an annual royalty of two million Tunisian dinars. The channel was established by Tunisian businessman Larbi Nasra and became Tunisia's first private television channel, preceding the launch of Nessma in 2007. Its name refers to Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian military commander, linking the station's identity to Tunisia's ancient heritage. The channel's inaugural transmission took place on the evening of February 12, 2005, while the formal launch was associated with February 13, the anniversary of the license award. The opening schedule included a Quran recitation, a reading of a message from the presidency, and an evening gala broadcast repeatedly across the schedule. Hannibal TV subsequently developed as a general-interest Tunisian broadcaster, carrying television programming for a domestic audience and seeking advertising and production partnerships. In February 2007, Hannibal TV entered into an agreement with France Télévisions. The arrangement covered cooperation in advertising and program production, along with communications advice intended to help attract international advertisers. The broadcaster also pursued regional expansion. In 2008, its group introduced Hannibal Orient for audiences in the Middle East and Hannibal Elferdaws as a religious-programming channel. Both services were discontinued approximately two years later amid financial difficulties. Ownership changed substantially in November 2013, when Larbi Nasra sold almost 90 percent of the channel's capital. Tarek Kadada, described as Saudi Arabian-born and Palestinian, acquired a 49 percent stake and became the principal shareholder. The remaining reported ownership was held by Tunisian investors Noureddine Hachicha, Mongi Makni, Habib Makni, and Imed Ghaïth. Hannibal TV's later history was shaped by licensing and regulatory difficulties involving Tunisia's High Independent Authority for Audiovisual Communication, commonly known by its French acronym HAICA. The station stopped broadcasting on July 3, 2019. It returned on October 2, 2020, but another interruption followed later that month according to the station's documented broadcast history. A further temporary resumption began on December 28, 2021, reportedly under an arrangement allowing the channel time to regularize its regulatory position by June 30, 2022. The available reference material does not establish whether the channel achieved a permanent regulatory resolution after that period, so its current operating status requires verification.
History
Hannibal TV was created by Tunimedia SARL after the company received a Tunisian broadcasting license on February 13, 2004. The license was described as renewable for ten years and subject to an annual royalty of two million dinars. Tunisian businessman Larbi Nasra then launched the channel in February 2005. A first transmission occurred on February 12, followed by the formal launch on February 13. The opening broadcast used religious and official material before moving into a gala presentation. The station's name was drawn from Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general associated with the history of ancient Tunisia. Its launch made it Tunisia's first private television channel, giving it an important place in the country's transition toward a more commercially diverse television sector. Hannibal TV operated as a general-interest broadcaster, with programming and advertising serving the Tunisian market. The channel pursued international cooperation in 2007 through an agreement with France Télévisions. The partnership included advertising collaboration, program production, and communications consultancy. Hannibal TV also attempted to build a regional portfolio in 2008 by launching Hannibal Orient and Hannibal Elferdaws. Hannibal Orient was aimed at the Middle Eastern market, while Hannibal Elferdaws focused on religious programs. Financial problems led both services to stop broadcasting around 2010. A major ownership restructuring occurred in November 2013. Nasra sold almost 90 percent of the channel's capital. Tarek Kadada became the largest reported shareholder with 49 percent, while the balance was attributed to Tunisian investors Noureddine Hachicha, Mongi Makni, Habib Makni, and Imed Ghaïth. From 2019 onward, the broadcaster experienced repeated interruptions connected to its regulatory position. Hannibal TV stopped operations on July 3, 2019. It returned on October 2, 2020, but ceased again shortly afterward. The reference history contains inconsistent dating for this second interruption, describing it both as October 29, 2020 and October 29, 2021. The channel is documented as resuming temporarily on December 28, 2021, under an arrangement linked to the regularization of its situation with HAICA and a deadline of June 30, 2022. The available material does not confirm the station's definitive post-2022 status.
- 2021
Temporary return to the air
[1]The channel resumed operations temporarily on December 28 while seeking to regularize its regulatory position.
- 2020
Broadcasting resumes and is interrupted again
[1]The service resumed on October 2 before another cessation was reported later in the year.
- 2019
Broadcasting suspension
[1]Hannibal TV stopped operations on July 3 amid regulatory difficulties.
- 2013
Ownership restructuring
[1]Larbi Nasra sold almost 90 percent of the channel's capital, with Tarek Kadada becoming the principal reported shareholder.
- 2010
Additional channels discontinued
[1]Hannibal Orient and Hannibal Elferdaws ceased broadcasting after financial difficulties.
- 2008
Regional channel expansion
[1]The group launched Hannibal Orient and Hannibal Elferdaws.
- 2007
France Télévisions partnership
[1]Hannibal TV entered a cooperation agreement covering advertising, production, and communications advice.
- 2005
Hannibal TV launches
[1]The channel began broadcasting in February and became Tunisia's first private television station.
- 2004
Broadcasting license granted
[1]Tunimedia SARL received a renewable ten-year license to operate a television service in Tunisia.
Products and positioning
A Tunisian general-interest television broadcaster with a strong national identity, combining local programming with commercial television operations and periodic regional ambitions.
Television network · 2005
Hannibal TV
The core Tunisian general-interest television service. It was launched in 2005 as Tunisia's first private television channel and carried programming and advertising for a national audience. Its documented history includes repeated interruptions associated with licensing and regulatory issues.
Regional television channel · 2008
Hannibal Orient
A channel launched by the Hannibal TV group in 2008 for the Middle Eastern market. The service was part of the group's regional expansion strategy but was later discontinued after financial difficulties.
Religious television channel · 2008
Hannibal Elferdaws
A religious-programming channel introduced by the Hannibal TV group in 2008. It ceased broadcasting approximately two years after launch, reportedly as part of the group's response to financial problems.
Brand decisions
2019
Suspension of broadcastingStrategyBackground
The channel faced a regulatory dispute involving Tunisia's audiovisual regulator, HAICA.
Action taken
Hannibal TV ceased operations on July 3, 2019.
Aftermath
The broadcaster later returned to the air but experienced additional interruptions.
2013
Sale of most of the channel's capitalM&ABackground
Larbi Nasra restructured his ownership position in the broadcaster.
Action taken
Almost 90 percent of the channel's capital was sold, with Tarek Kadada acquiring a reported 49 percent stake.
Aftermath
Kadada became the principal reported shareholder, alongside several Tunisian investors.
2008
Regional and religious channel expansionStrategyBackground
The group sought to broaden its reach beyond the core Tunisian service and diversify its programming portfolio.
Action taken
It launched Hannibal Orient for the Middle East and Hannibal Elferdaws for religious programming.
Aftermath
Both channels were later closed after financial difficulties.
Sources2 sources
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