Hemaya Universal announced an unnamed channel intended to combat commercial counterfeiting and video and computer software piracy, as part of its region-wide PR campaign. No word on whether the channel would be carried by Lebanon’s network of “unofficial” cable providers.

i2 TV is a full-time mobile technology infotainment channel for people who just can’t face the arduous three-block hike to their nearest cell phone shop to find out about the latest mobile products.

City 7 TV is an English-language channel intended for English speakers in Dubai. It offers local news, business and talk shows aimed at the country’s 3 million English-speaking residents, along with “recognized international fictional programming.” And what does the on-the-go Dubai expat need more than a seventh source for Mr. Bean reruns?

Derby Channel crosses SMS interactivity and internet gambling. Viewers can bet on computer-generated horse races run every ten minutes. If that isn’t scary enough, they can also buy a virtual horse, train it up, and enter it in Derby Channel’s races. If this sounds like it might be fun, please turn your TV remote over to a competent adult now. Your accountant will thank you later.

Al Omah, a religious satellite channel, promises to “defend the prophet” against attacks like the Danish cartoons or Pope Benedict’s speech quoting a Byzantine emperor who characterized Islam as a violent religion.

Medi Sat 1, the first private station out of Morocco, started broadcasts last December in Arabic and French. The station, which is part-owned by local radio station Medi 1, focuses on news bulletins and documentaries. It is carried on the Hotbird satellite.

TT1, the third Tunisian private station, will start test broadcasts on March 20, and will launch on the internet in January. According to the station’s founder, Tarek Bechraoui, its youth-oriented programming will include only quick news flashes, with no political content whatsoever.

Showtime Arabia launched a special channel devoted to the Dubai International Film Festival. The free-to-air DIFF TV, which ran from November 15 till December 31, offered a guide to the festival, behind-the-scenes gossip, documentaries, and interactive features.