In early 1998, in light of the low viewers-rating, the channel had assigned a new brand, in hope that it will attract more viewers. The new brand was "Channel 33" with the slogan "Channel 33 - Much more interesting!". The name "Channel 33" was chosen since the channel is relayed at station no. 33 in the Israeli cable systems.
Arabic-language broadcasts era – 2002
In 2002, the IBA established a third TV channel - IBA Arabic Channel - which was intended for Arabic-speaking viewers in foreign countries and for Arabic-speaking Israelis. For the latter purpose, the "Israel Television in Arabic" department of the IBA, which until then broadcast on IBA Channel 1 2–4 hours a day, had moved to the new channel, where Channel 1 was left only with Hebrew programming. Some years earlier, in 1985, Israel Television in Arabic had been awarded the prestigious Israel Prize, for its special contribution to society and the State. IBA Arabic Channel was broadcasting via the European Hot Bird satellite. Due to lack in Arabic programs, the channel also broadcast reruns from IBA's Channel 1 and Channel 33. In a couple of years after the establishment, IBA had realised that it cannot financially support three TV channels, and decided to merge Channel 33 with the Arabic channel into a new IBA "Channel 3 - Middle East" in early 2004. As a result, Channel 33 replaced IBA Arabic Channel on the European satellite in April 2004, and began an all-Europe coverage. Additionally, Channel 33 began a terrestrial transmission throughout Israel, in order to relay Arabic programming to Arabic-speaking Israelis.
Knesset transmission concession loss – 2004
Due to the merge of IBA's Arabic channel and Channel 33, there was little air-time left in the unified channel to relay to Knesset sessions. Because of that, and an initiative to establish a parliament channel the Knesset passed a new law - "TV Transmission from the Knesset" in 2004 which led to the establishment of the "Knesset Channel", following a public tender in which the IBA had lost the concession to "The Second news company". Starting on 3 May 2004, the Knesset broadcasts are relayed in the new dedicated Knesset Channel.
Today
The channel is dedicated primarily to Arab-speaking viewers, but due to financial reasons, the IBA had to cut the all-European coverage of Channel 33 through the European Hot Bird satellite, a move that affected many viewers of the channel. As of today, the channel is relayed terrestrially in Israel, and by the Israeli AMOS satellite on its Middle-East beam. There are plans to turn Channel 33 in a news and information station broadcasting in Hebrew, Arabic and English along the lines of Reshet Bet, the popular public radio station. In 2013, IBA Channel 33 is expected to resume all-European coverage through the Hot Bird satellite.
Relaunch
In September 2011, it was announced that Channel 33 will relaunch as a news and culture channel broadcasting In Hebrew, Arabic and English. The channel will be supported by the Channel 1 news department and the popular news radio station Reshet Bet. First pilot transmissions will be conducted from May between 08:00 and 16:00, with Arabic programming continuing to dominate primetime. The channel will be broadcast live on the Internet.
Closure
The Israel Broadcasting Authority was closed on 14 May 2017, and so was Channel 33. IBA was replaced by IBC, therefore KAN 33 has replaced IBA Channel 33.
