News

The partnership has been developed to provide premium and exclusive entertainment to travellers on their journey through Dubai airports.

SPI/FilmBox signs distribution deal with Net1 in Bulgaria

SPI/FilmBox and Net1 have partnered to bring SPI’s movie channel FilmBox Extra and nine other popular channels from SPI’s portfolio to Net1 subscribers in Bulgaria.

Egyptian short ‘Henet Ward’ to screen at Busan International Short Film Festival

The festival is scheduled to take place from August 27 to 31.

Saudi Telecom extends Vodafone Egypt stake purchase again

The telecoms operator signed a deal to purchase Vodafone Egypt for $2.4bn in January.

Red announces rapid replacement programme for select camera models

The cameras in the replacement programme are factory-refurbished with light usage for up to 300 hours.

RFC Jordan ties with VentureX to launch creative accelerator for film projects

Film-related projects, ranging from an idea to be developed to an existing project that needs revamping, can submit for support as of July.

OSN Streaming app reveals over 60 new films and series for July

The content includes Arabic and English movies and series as well as Disney+ Originals and docu-series for all audiences.

Egyptian actor Asser Yassin to play lead role in Arabic version of ‘Suits’

Yassin has been nominated to play the role of Harvey Specter, one of New York City's best lawyers, in the series.

Egyptian film ‘Photocopy’ to open South Korea’s 2020 Arab Film Festival

The festival, which is a non-competitive event hosted by the Korea-Arab society, will screen over 10 films by various Arab directors.

Egyptian production house releases first film trailer since Covid-19 lockdown

The film, produced by New Century Production, Misr International Films (MIF), and Synergy Films, is set to be released later this year.

Randeep Hooda signs deal with Hollywood talent agency after ‘Extraction’ success

July 11, 2020

Authentic Talent and Literary Management will help Hooda expand his US presence.

New Media Academy launches Youth YouTuber programme in the Middle East

July 11, 2020

The programme features five identical cohorts, two in Arabic and three in English, and is open to youth.

MediaKind appoints Matt McConnell as CEO

July 11, 2020

McConnell will report directly to the board of directors, including former CEO Angel Ruiz, who takes up the position of Chairman of the Board.

Christina Sulebakk to become new head of HBO Europe

July 10, 2020

Sulebakk replaces Hervé Payan who served as CEO of HBO Europe for eight years and who will be leaving the company at the end of August 2020.

WarnerMedia appoints Priya Dogra as head of Entertainment across EMEA and APAC

July 10, 2020

Dogra replaces Giorgio Stock who stepped down at the end of June.

Broadcast Solutions UK appoints JP Delport as MD

Delport joined the UK company early this year as Sales Director and previously held leadership roles at other companies.

MBC launches Cartoon Network Arabia on Shahid VIP

The launch of Cartoon Network marks the latest addition to Shahid VIP’s lineup of live streamed TV channels, and bolsters its children’s content.

Haivision acquires Teltoo

With the acquisition, Haivision aims to set the standard for scalable, low latency, high-quality video delivery.

Ladima Foundation to stream films showcasing Covid-19 stories of African women

The ten films will be premiered on the Ladima Foundation Facebook page at 5:00 pm (UAE) on July 10.

Prakash Jha film gets direct-to-digital release on Zee5 Global

Inspired by real events, the film ‘Pareeksha – The Final Test’ is a Zee5 Original and makes a sharp comment on the traditional Indian education system.

New content agency opens in Dubai, former Disney exec joins as Board Advisor

SynProNize has already successfully worked with production houses, broadcasters and streamers to produce and distribute original programming across different markets.

MBC Group’s Shahid MD Johannes Larcher leaves to head HBO Max International

Larcher, who helped transform MBC's flagship digital product, Shahid, into the world’s largest Arabic language video streamer, will join HBO Max International, effective August 1.

Korean film ‘The Negotiations’ to resume filming in Jordan

The foreign cast and crew will abide by the filming guidelines, which the Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) issued last month.

Moroccan film critic AbdelKarim Ouakrim hosts director Hesham Lasri on ACC Talks

The episode will be streamed on July 9 at 10 pm UAE time across the Arab Cinema Center’s social media accounts.

Royal Film Commission Jordan launches ‘Reenactment Competition’

The deadline to receive the reenacted scenes is August 4 at 12 pm Jordan time (1 pm UAE time).

Simon Roehrs joins Riedel Communications as Director for Asia-Pacific

Previously, Roehrs served as lead programmer for DVS GmbH's flagship products with a focus on the postproduction and broadcast studio industries.

IBC to launch virtual showcase from September 8-11

IBC2020 in Amsterdam was cancelled owing to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the event organizer has announced a virtual showcase.

Saudi drama series ‘Takki’ launches on Netflix

Available now on Netflix, season one and two of 'Takki' each contain 14 episodes, offering a perspective into the world of Saudi Arabia’s youth.

Warner Bros. signs overall deal with producer Matt Reeves

The deal is an exclusive, multi-year agreement which makes Warner Bros. the home of Matt Reeves’ production company’s new television ventures.

Sawa Rights Management lands Middle East disti deal for US TV channels

The distribution deal with Herring Networks gives viewers access to original lifestyle programming from the US.

Bahraini singer Banah releases virtually-directed music video clip

The video for the song was shot at the artist’s house and virtually put together by Lebanese director/visual executive Sherif Tarhini.

MIPCOM to take place in October at Cannes, will also have an online version

Reed MIDEM said it will work with its event partners to “have in place rigorous guidelines and advanced safety measures throughout the Palais des Festivals”.

SVOD subscriptions to reach 1.16bn by 2025: Digital TV Research

By 2025, 291m SVOD subscriptions will come directly to SVOD platforms via mobile apps.

Latakoo appoints Luke Hanrahan as broadcast specialist for Europe and MENA

Hanrahan’s appointment is part of a growing global sales team at Latakoo as it expands its video transfer and workflow product portfolio in the region.

Ross Video’s Voyager helps augment ‘The Voice’ in Lebanon

The team at Visuwalls worked with the famous Voice hand logo so the production team could make this appear on the physical set and then animate it as the camera...

Electriclimefilms ties with DDB Dubai to make films directed by André Rodrigues

The project was produced in Dubai and then executed and filmed remotely, via live streaming, in Sydney, Australia.

Formula 1 chooses M2A Connect to distribute live race streams

by Shifa Naseer

M2A Connect will acquire, route and distribute Formula 1’s premium live video feeds to OTT and broadcast partners globally.

Euronews is top international news channel in Continental Europe: Ipsos

The news channel’s global monthly brand reach, both on TV and digital, peaked at a record 149.6m in Q1 of 2020.

Fatafeat features Egyptian celebrity Dalia Mostafa in ‘Asrar Mama’

The cooking show will air every Sunday and Tuesday at 13:55 pm (UAE), from July 12.

Adeeb Abed steps down as GM of INC Dubai, new GM announced

Mohammed Al Zaim succeeds Adeeb Abed who resigned from the position last week to pursue other opportunities.

ZEE5 Global announces new partnership with cashback app ZNAP in the UAE

According to the deal, app users are entitled to a free ZEE5 Global monthly subscription.

Discovery announces two TV series to be aired on Animal Planet

'The Last Alaskans' series, one of the programmes that is being shown, takes an inside look at the lives of some of the few remaining Alaskans permitted to dwell within the...

Viu and HBO Asia air second season of ‘The Bridge’

Star-studded cast from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines takes centre stage.

Dolby and Reel Cinemas tie to distribute 700 tickets to UAE frontline workers

The move is part of an ongoing campaign by Dolby to celebrate the courage of frontline heroes during Covid-19 in the country.

Community Jameel launches YouTube competition for aspiring comedians in KSA

The competition will be broadcast live on Mondays at 10:00 pm UAE time, from July 6.

Disney scraps 4K re-release of ‘Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back’ in UK theatres

July 4, 2020

However, a standard 2K version of the 1980 film will still be screened after reopening the theatres.

Radio Mirchi rebranded to Kadak FM

July 4, 2020

The Abu Dhabi Media radio station will continue broadcasting on 97.3 FM in the capital, 88.8 FM in Dubai and 95.6 FM in Al Ain.

Robe plays it forward with Oooth

July 3, 2020

The live show by Oooth required lighting at MGG’s Johannesburg studios, which included 50 Robe moving lights.

Deezer partners with TV Azteca to accelerate growth in Mexico

July 3, 2020

The multi-year investment deal worth $40m values Deezer at $1.4bn – a 30% premium from the last funding round in 2018.

Black Dragon Capital completes Grass Valley acquisition

July 3, 2020

Grass Valley will continue its day-to-day activities under the leadership of the company’s president, Tim Shoulders, without disruption.

Shure launches new tech portal to streamline access to product information

July 2, 2020

The comprehensive new tool is designed for professionals to support specification, design, deployment and operation of Shure Solutions.

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