News

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

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

Media Online GmbH now trades as Broadcast Solutions Produkte und Service GmbH

Broadcast Solutions Produkte und Service GmbH will continue to support customers in the DACH sector from its offices in Frankfurt (Main) and Stuttgart.

OSN announces casting call for Arabic version of ‘Come Dine With Me’ in the UAE

The series will be available to watch on OSN and its streaming service weekly from Sunday to Thursday this fall.

Lebanon’s Baalbeck Festival to stream its 64th edition on July 5

The concert, which follows strict Covid-19 guidelines, will be held without an audience.

Discovery to launch two channels in French on StarTimes in Africa

The current Discovery StarTimes bouquet includes Real Time, Discovery Family and ID in English.

BeIN launches new campaign with exclusive sports and entertainment content

The campaign called ‘A Summer Like No Other’ offers content for all ages and will be broadcast across beIN’s exclusive channels.

Broadway production ‘Hamilton’ to air exclusively on OSN Streaming app

OSN will stream the production exclusively in the region as part of the Disney+ Originals partnership agreement.

Film Critic Essam Zakaria to host director Suhaib Gasmelbari on ACC Talks

Gasmelbari is a young Sudanese filmmaker who is known for his award-winning documentary Talking About Trees.

El Gouna Film Festival announces revised dates of its 4th edition

The festival will now run from October 23 to 31 in the Egyptian resort town of El Gouna.

IABM invites applicants as Vice Chair Graham Pitman resigns

Pitman, who served IABM as Vice Chair for nine years, will leave the trade association in August this year.

Paramount appoints Emma Watts as Motion Picture Group President

The former Fox executive will begin her new role at the studio from July 20.

Netflix hires Bozoma Saint John as new Chief Marketing Officer

Saint John will start her new role full-time in August.

Abu Dhabi’s first drive-in cinema to launch on July 9 at Yas Island

Movies will be shown across the weekend, from Thursday through to Saturday, with all safety measures in place.

ViacomCBS offers comedians an outlet through ‘Balcony Stories’

June 30, 2020

ViacomCBS has announced the launch of Balcony Stories, a short-form series launched to celebrate life during the lockdown. Produced by VIS in collaboration with Freemantle, the series leverages user-generated content...

The Switch delivers live international horse racing to Jockey Club of Turkey

June 30, 2020

Live streams are delivered from the UK to the club’s 600,000 customers, based on which they can make informed decisions.

7 Production to roll out 4K OB truck with Grass Valley solutions

June 30, 2020

Slated to go live in Q3 2020, the OB truck is fully HDR-ready and will house GV's Kahuna 9600 production switcher with Maverik control panel, Sirius 840 router and MV-800...

MBC Academy to upskill and manage Saudi talent in media and production

Spearheaded by MBC Group Chairman, Waleed Al-Ibrahim, the Academy now welcomes applications for its 2020 programme.

Arab Cinema Center announces winners of fourth Critics’ Awards for Arab Films

This is the first time in the history of Arab cinema, that 141 prominent Arab and international film critics from 57 countries have come together to be part of a jury committee.

StarzPlay data reveals popularity of DC series in GCC

New season of Doom Patrol now available on the platform also from June 26.

Image Nation Abu Dhabi ties with local authorities to present ‘Back to the Wild’

'Back to the Wild' is a 30-minute documentary depicting the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s efforts to reintroduce the endangered Scimitar-horned oryx to Africa.

BeIN Sports reinstates Serie A matches, vows new strategy to protect rights

BeIN Sports has warned that moving forward, it will adopt the same strategy to ensure that leagues and clubs also take measures to protect the rights it has sold to...

Streaming service Iflix exits Middle East

Tencent to buy iflix

June 26, 2020

Tencent will acquire iflix’s content, technology and other resources; however, it will not take on the company’s debt.

OSN axes more jobs

June 26, 2020

CEO Patrick Tillieux commented that the job cuts were necessary for the "long-term sustainability" of the business and its talent.

Cairo Industry Days partners with EAVE for film development lab

ACC launches Arab film resource for US market

A partnership between Arab Cinema Center and Telescope Film will keep US residents informed on which Arab films are running on streaming services in the country.

Bollywood producer to fly in 140 crew to shoot two web series in the UAE

Both web series are scheduled for completion in February 2021 and will be released on an OTT platform.

Africa’s Realness announces candidates for 2020 Screenwriters’ Residency

Realness has, so far, supported 30 feature film projects from all over Africa.

OSN to produce Arabic version of ITV’s ‘Come Dine With Me’ for Middle East

A casting call for residents to apply for a chance to take part in the reality TV show will be announced in the coming weeks.

Syrian Oscar-nominee director Talal Serki to feature in today’s ACC Talks

The ACC Talks, organised by Arab Cinema Center, at the Cannes Virtual Market will be shown on MAD Solutions’ official YouTube channel with English and Arabic subtitles.

Advanced Media promises big discounts on professional video kit at garage sale

Discounts of up to 80% will be available on professional photography kit, video equipment and prosumer products.

MENA esports ecosystem ripe for growth: Serge Zabbal

While Covid-19 hit the esports sector hard with live activations and events halted, it also created a rise in the number of people competing and watching online video game tournaments.

Cinema Akil Traveller Programme launches on June 26

La Dolce Vita is a Palme d'Or, Cannes Film Festival 1960 winner while La Grande Bellezza was awarded Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at the Oscars in 2014.

Netflix to release collection of short films from renowned filmmakers on June 30

Lorenzo Mieli, CEO of 'The Apartment', Fabula’s Juan de Dios Larraín and Pablo Larraín have rallied filmmakers from all around the world to join the project.

London-based beoutQ seller brought to book

Saudi authority announces crackdown on pirates

231 websites that violate regulations and intellectual property rights will be blocked, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) announced.

Dubai Media City launches MUSIC_ON series to amplify UAE’s growing music scene

June 23, 2020

Inaugural session featured Somalian rapper & director Freek and IP Media & Tech lawyer Mark Hill.

Iflix in trouble, up for sale