MBC Group’s “Top Chef” chooses Saudi Arabia’s NEOM for latest season production

1 July 2024

MBC Group’s “Top Chef” chooses Saudi Arabia’s NEOM for latest season production

MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media organisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is joining forces with NEOM Media Industries, the premier global media hub, to launch the production of the much-anticipated eighth season of “Top Chef”.

Bringing a new creative direction to the acclaimed reality TV series in the region, the latest season of “Top Chef” marks a partnership that promises a fusion of competitive culinary arts with ultra-modern urban development.

Originally launched by Bravo in the United States, “Top Chef” centres around chefs competing against each other in various culinary challenges. The contestants are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notable personalities from the food and beverage industry, with one or more contestants eliminated at the end of each episode.

In the region, the Arabic version by MBC GROUP has so far been filmed in locations across the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. NEOM marks the latest exciting location for the programme in the Kingdom.

Samar Akrouk, MBC GROUP’s Director of Production and General Manager of MBC STUDIOS, commented: “NEOM offers a visionary setting for the culinary excellence demonstrated in ‘Top Chef’. Bringing the show to NEOM is not merely a change of location; it is a significant step in redefining the future of filming in the Kingdom. This eighth season will merge the high-energy competition that viewers expect with a strong emphasis on ecological awareness and sustainable living, reflecting the core values of NEOM as a city of the future.”

She continued: “The latest season’s contestants will be taking on challenges that require innovative thinking and a sustainable approach, echoing the principles upon which NEOM is built. These challenges have been designed to inspire contestants to think about food in its relation to the environment. For example, from using locally sourced ingredients to integrating energy-efficient cooking methods, each episode will contribute to a narrative of planetary stewardship.”

NEOM MEDIA VILLAGE

Production of the new season of “Top Chef” will take place in the NEOM Media Village, home to four world-class sound stages and resort-style lodgings for cast & crew, with every episode featuring rigorous challenges designed to push the chefs’ skills to the limit. In addition to the bootcamp-style concept, the programme will also feature special appearances by a series of international and regional guest judges, including those who run some of the world’s top Michelin-star restaurants. Their expertise and discerning palates will no doubt add an extra layer of excitement to each episode, elevating the competition to new heights.

Wayne Borg, Managing Director for Media Industries, NEOM, stated: “NEOM has cemented its position as the regional hub for non-scripted formats, attracting top global talent to create unmissable TV content. NEOM’s unparalleled range of sound stages, backlots, offices, workshops, support services, and other facilities meet the evolving needs of large-scale formats. We are delighted to reaffirm our ongoing partnership with MBC as we embark on the latest season of ‘Top Chef.’ This collaboration underscores our mutual commitment to advancing the local ecosystem, as we continue to support MBC with an ambitious slate of premium content.

In just two years, NEOM has facilitated over 40 productions encompassing Hollywood, Bollywood, Arabic, and Saudi feature films, alongside high-quality TV documentaries, non-scripted entertainment, scripted productions, and commercials.

The eighth season of “Top Chef” is currently in production, with the series launching on MBC GROUP’s TV channels later this year. Previous editions of “Top Chef” in the region have featured judges including acclaimed chefs Yannick Alléno, Andoni Luis Aduriz, Éric Fréchon, Alex Atala, Éric Briffard, Ghislaine Arabian, Jean-François Piège, Michel Sarran, Alan Geaam, David Rocco, Sébastien Vauxion, and Michael Mina.

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus on hard-hitting documentaries

1 July 2024

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus on hard-hitting documentaries

Documentaries 360

Gaza Crisis: Two In-depth Interviews July 6 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) Our topic is the Gaza Crisis. Is there a path to a lasting solution? We seek fresh insights from two experts: A scholar in the US with roots in Israel and a Palestinian scholar in Canada.
Missing Family with Dementia July 14 Sun. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) In Japan, many people with dementia leave their homes, wander off, and are never seen again. Now, communities are developing measures to locate the missing and reunite them with their loved ones.
Discovering Tomorrow’s Manga Masters July 21 Sun. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) Ten rookie manga creators from around the world have assembled in a small town in southwestern Japan. We follow their daily struggle to become world-class manga creators.
Where We Call Home Mondays 0:30/5:30/10:30/15:30/21:30 (UTC) People from around the globe who put down roots in Japan offer a glimpse into their lives and the hardships they face in Japanese society.

Michael Abramowitz takes the helm as new VOA Director

25 June 2024

Michael Abramowitz takes the helm as new VOA Director

Michael Abramowitz, a prominent journalist and former president of Freedom House, was sworn in on June 24 as the 31st Director of the Voice of America.

“For more than 80 years, the Voice of America has delivered trusted news and information to the world, especially for those living in closed societies and who have no other access to the truth,” Abramowitz said. “This role could not be more important in an age when authoritarian regimes are spreading lies and propaganda with abandon. I look forward to working with VOA’s outstanding journalists and staff in fulfilling its unique mission.”

Abramowitz is an experienced, skilled and respected journalist who most recently served as president of Freedom House, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization providing research and analysis, advocacy, and direct support to journalists and human rights defenders. He previously directed the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Levine Institute for Holocaust Education and led the museum’s genocide prevention efforts.

For nearly 25 years, Abramowitz worked at The Washington Post, rising to national editor and then White House correspondent. At the Post, he won the Aldo Beckman award for excellence in White House coverage and led a team that won the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting about the post 9-11 war on terrorism.

A graduate of Harvard College, Abramowitz is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council. He was formerly a Marshall Memorial fellow at the German Marshall Fund and Berlin Prize Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin.

“Michael is a brilliant journalist, who is fiercely passionate about VOA’s mission – which is telling audiences the truth.” said USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett. “I can’t wait to see how his contagious energy and enthusiasm powers this team. I am excited for his leadership, and incredibly grateful to John Lippman and Yolanda Lopez for their service in the interim.”

VOA’s Acting Director of Programming, John Lippman, served as Acting VOA Director since October 2023. Previous VOA Acting Director Yolanda Lopez served from January 2021 until September 2023.

[Source: VOA press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s Focus in June is Iwate

2 June 2024

NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s Focus in June is Iwate

IWATE: A timeless glow from the past

A Digital Exploration of a National Treasure: The Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple June 15 Sat. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) Northern Japan’s Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple is a National Treasure, constructed nine centuries ago. Come explore its mysteries through an ultra-high-definition digital replica.
Mikoda Morning Market: Morioka’s Kitchen June 23 Sun. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) The Mikoda Morning Market has been known as “Morioka’s kitchen” for almost 50 years. But it is not only the fresh produce that warms the hearts of customers even on chilly mornings.
Brahms in Beijing: Seiji Ozawa’s Dream Realized June 16 Sun. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) World-famous maestro Seiji Ozawa long dreamt of performing in China. Learn about his collaboration with Beijing’s Central Philharmonic and hear stories from his family.
RAMEN JAPAN Mondays 4:30/8:30/16:30/23:30 (UTC) Ramen is a savory combination of umami-packed broth and perfectly cooked noodles. This program offers an encyclopedic view of this delectable dish, taking you on a journey across Japan to discover ever-evolving local variations. Join us as we explore a tapestry of local customs and food culture through the lens of ramen.

Voice of America names new Eurasia Division Director

18 May 2024

Voice of America names new Eurasia Division Director

The Voice of America has selected Alen Mlatisuma as the new director of its Eurasia Division, providing news and information to audiences across media markets in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and the Balkans.

A native of Montenegro, Mlatisuma has played a crucial role in shaping and guiding VOA’s digital media and audience engagement strategies within Eurasia’s sophisticated markets. With a wealth of journalistic expertise across various media platforms, Mlatisuma, as a seasoned creative producer, manager and strategist, boasts an impressive track record of fostering audience growth through compelling content creation, innovative social media marketing, cutting-edge technology integration, and dynamic SEO strategies. Spearheading the development of new initiatives, programs, content features, applications and interactive mobile products, he has instilled an audience-first newsroom mindset, ensuring VOA’s continued relevance in the ever-changing Eurasian media environment.

Mlatisuma joined VOA in 2003 as a broadcaster and news editor with the Serbian service. In 2008, he was appointed the Eurasia Division’s Internet Managing Editor. Before his tenure at VOA, Mlatisuma served as a correspondent for the Associated Press and as Managing Editor with Antena M, the first independent radio station in post-communist Montenegro. Reporting from the Balkan region for regional and international media organizations, he also served as the editor of Graffiti Magazine, one of the few satirical media outlets in the war-ravaged Balkans during the 1990s. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montenegro.

“We look forward to see how Alen leads the Eurasia Division,” said Acting VOA Director John Lippman. “His 20-year career at VOA has prepared him well for this role.”

Mlatisuma’s appointment took effect on May 5, 2024.

Voice of America reaches a weekly global audience of more than 354 million people in 48 languages in nearly 100 countries via radio, television, web and mobile media and a network of more than 3,500 affiliates.

[Source: VOA press release]