Saudi Media Award 2026: Global Tracks and AI-Powered Content
In a move reflecting the rapid evolution of the media landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Media Award in a new era of excellence and innovation, announcing the launch of its next cycle, which will culminate in the crowning of the winners during the Saudi Media Forum 2026. This edition is held under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, underscoring the strategic importance the leadership places on the media sector as a cornerstone of soft power and national development.
Vision 2030 and the transformations of the media landscape
The launch of the award, with its new categories, cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which aims to transform Riyadh into a regional and international media hub. Since the forum's inception, the Saudi media landscape has worked to create an attractive and competitive environment, striving to elevate the quality of local content to meet global standards. This year's award aligns with the major digital transformations, where media is no longer merely the transmission of news, but a comprehensive industry reliant on technology, innovation, and storytelling through modern methods.
4 routes and 14 branches: Comprehensive coverage
The current edition features a qualitative expansion in the award's structure, with the adoption of four main tracks covering 14 branches, designed to encompass all aspects of media work:
- The journalism track: It maintains the authenticity of the profession across the categories of report, article, and journalistic dialogue, to enhance the value of the word and credibility in the age of information flow.
- Audiovisual Production Track: Focuses on talk shows, sports, and podcasts, rewarding works that have achieved sustainability and broad public impact.
- Special Personalities and Themes Track: Includes Media Personality of the Year, Columnist, as well as awards dedicated to national works on Founding Day and National Day, linking creativity with national identity.
Artificial intelligence: A global first from Riyadh
In a first for professional media awards worldwide, the Saudi Media Award has dedicated a separate track to AI-generated content . This bold move positions the Kingdom at the forefront of countries adopting future technologies in content creation, opening the door for creators to combine human imagination with algorithmic capabilities to produce media content that transcends borders.
This approach reflects a deep understanding of the impact of technology on the future of media, as the forum seeks to be a global laboratory to discover how artificial intelligence can reshape storytelling and mental imagery, moving beyond traditional frameworks.
International dimensions and high competitiveness
The head of the Saudi Media Forum, Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, affirmed that the award transcends being merely a local recognition, becoming a launchpad towards global recognition. He pointed to the introduction of the “Global Competitor” award. This category aims to motivate institutions and individuals to produce content capable of overcoming geographical and cultural barriers and reaching an international audience, thus strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a creator of media messages, not just a consumer of them.
The forum, which will be held in Riyadh from February 2 to 4, 2026, is expected to witness a remarkable presence of more than 250 local and international companies, making it the largest media event in the region, combining the tradition of journalism, the modernity of technology, and the ambition of creative people.
