France 24 launches new magazine show Europe Rendezvous

France 24 launches new magazine show Europe Rendezvous

France 24 launches new magazine show Europe Rendezvous

France 24’s new magazine show dedicated to Europe

Presented by Armen Georgian

Starting on October 18 at:

 7:15 PM Paris time (Part 1)

7:45 PM Paris time (Part 2)

France 24 is launching ‘Europe Rendezvous’, a new magazine show featuring reports and interviews that explore different regions of the European Union, highlighting their challenges, achievements, and people. The 34-minute programme, presented by Armen Georgian in English, and ‘Aux 4 Coins de l’Europe’ by Caroline de Camaret in French, is broadcast every other month on Saturdays.

 The first episode of ‘Europe Rendezvous’ heads out to the heart of the Atlantic Ocean and visits one of the EU’s most isolated Outermost Regions, the Azores. Made up of nine islands, with around 240,000 inhabitants, the Portuguese autonomous region depends heavily on EU funding, receiving approximately 160 million euros in cohesion funds each year.

 Through interviews with local leaders and business owners, France 24 journalists explore the impact of the EU funding on the islands’ development and delve into the natural beauty of the Azores.

Part 1 – EU budget and its impact on the Azores: 

  • Armen Georgian interviews José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Autonomous Government of the Azores, who voices his concerns over the European Commission’s push to centralise cohesion fund management.
  • A report by Charlotte Prudhomme and Renaud Lefort looks at the EU budget negotiations in Brussels and their implications for Outermost Regions.
  • A closer look at the islands’ cultural heritage, including its tea plantations, which date back to the 19th century and are the only remaining active tea producers in Europe. 

Part 2 – The Azores and the Atlantic Ocean: 

  • An inside look at the Azores’ sustainable tourism, where EU-backed initiatives, such as a whale-watching company’s switch to electric vessels, are helping balance economic growth with environmental protection.
  • An interview with MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, a leading voice behind the European Ocean Pact.
  • A visit to the Nonagon Science and Technology Park on São Miguel Island, followed by an interview with MEP Ana Vasconcelos on fostering innovation in the Azorean economy.
  • A profile of a local farmer who relies on EU cohesion funds to finance 80% of her farming equipment.

 Three special reports:

How the EU is helping to save Flores Island from flooding, a report by Luke Brown.

  • Inspiring young Azoreans to shape their future, a report by Luke Brown
  • Waste threatens the Azorean paradise, a report by Luke Brown

‘Europe Rendezvous’, a France 24 magazine broadcast on television, YouTube, and france24.com

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in October: Kyoto – Pathways to the Zen life

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in October: Kyoto – Pathways to the Zen life

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in October: Kyoto – Pathways to the Zen life

Core Kyoto Special

Cultural Heart of Zen

October 19 Sun.
1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC)

The Zen school of Buddhism emphasizes the practice of zazen meditation as the path to enlightenment. The spirit of Zen flows through the gardens, art, cuisine and other aspects of Kyoto culture.

Documentary 360: Letters from Hiroshima

October 11 Sat
0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC)

Eighty years ago, upon facing the tremendous force of the atomic bomb, Truman, scientists, and citizens voiced their remorse and struggle in letters. What messages do these voices carry for us today?

Medical Frontiers

Mondays
14:30/20:30/3:30/9:30

Fridays
19:00 (UTC)

Prevention to cure! The groundbreaking world of Japanese medical technology and healthcare. From food and exercise to the latest treatments.

 

 

 

 

 

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in September: Manga Behind the Scenes

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in September: Manga Behind the Scenes

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in September: Manga Behind the Scenes

Manben: Behind the Scenes of Manga with Urasawa Naoki

Otomo Katsuhiro

September 13 Sat.
1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC)

Otomo Katsuhiro is celebrated as a man who revolutionized Japanese manga, and he joins us for an in-depth discussion with Urasawa Naoki. Admired by today’s top creators, Otomo’s work redefined realism, movement, and spectacle in manga. We look through original drafts to reveal the secrets of his innovative style, from striking perspectives to unforgettable destruction scenes. Urasawa revisits Domu, the masterpiece that impacted him even more than Akira. Watch to find out what’s coming next!

IMPACTS: Climates Change the World

September 27 Sat.
1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC)

Asia’s Double Global Warming 

The WMO’s latest report revealed warming in Asia to be twice the global average in 2024. Among record high sea surface temperatures and marine heatwaves, we examine the reasons for these phenomena.

Journeys in Japan

Tuesdays
0:30/5:30/10:30/15:30/21:30 (UTC)

Explore a different side of Japan. Meet the locals and discover traditions and cultures not usually found in guidebooks!

   
   

 

Bundesliga International lands historic three-year deal with MBC GROUP for the MENA region

Bundesliga International lands historic three-year deal with MBC GROUP for the MENA region

Bundesliga International lands historic three-year deal with MBC GROUP for the MENA region

  • Bundesliga International strikes deal with MBC GROUP, becoming the first European league to be shown on their linear and digital channels
  • MBC GROUP is the largest and leading media company in MENA, and will offer fans the opportunity to watch multiple games per matchday free-to-air
  • Alongside live matches, both organisations will work together on joint-marketing strategy to continue the growth of the Bundesliga in a locally relevant way

The Bundesliga will be available to millions of football fans throughout the Middle East and North Africa region, after a three-year partnership was struck with media powerhouse MBC GROUP. The move comes as part of the Bundesliga International’s global growth strategy to ensure maximum exposure in a rapidly growing fanbase.

Recognised as the largest and leading media conglomerate in MENA, and present in every Arab-household, MBC GROUP will now bring the Bundesliga to its core sports offering as the first European league to be broadcasted.

The deal, which begins immediately, ensures that the millions of German football fans across the region can watch Bundesliga matches without restriction, starting with this Friday’s season opener between reigning champions FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig (kick off 20:30 CEST).

 Three matches a week will be available on free-to-air (FTA) channel MBC ACTION, while the opening match will air on the flagship channel MBC1 to celebrate the launch of the new season. All matches will be available on Shahid – the world’s leading Arabic streaming platforms. Together, Bundesliga International and MBC GROUP will develop a joint-marketing strategy, ensuring that the partnership goes way beyond the live matches.

 “We are proud to work with the region’s leading player, and one that is committed to bringing the Bundesliga closer than ever before to millions of football fans,” said Peer Naubert, CEO of Bundesliga International:

“As one of the fastest growing regions for football fandom, and in particular within the female demographic, the Middle East and North Africa is central to our global growth strategy, and our partnership is built on a 360-degree, localised approach that will ensures we are telling the stories that matter in a relevant and engaging way. From the world-class product on the field, to our unique and unrivalled clubs and fans, MBC’s phenomenal reach and position as a media and entertainment superpower will ensure that together we deliver the best of the Bundesliga day-in and day-out.”

The Bundesliga has been active across the MENA region, at all levels of football development. In April 2025, Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig hosted an all-female coaching delegation from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), sharing expertise and providing opportunities for the young coaches to lead training sessions at their elite academies.

Furthermore, the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga has hosted leagues for knowledge exchange workshops on areas such as broadcast technology and league administration. As part of a comprehensive growth strategy, the league is also active on the ground to bring the Bundesliga closer to fans. Alongside coaching exchanges and fan visits, Bundesliga International hosted its first Iftar in Jeddah in April 2025, with Bundesliga fans gathering to a Ramadan Iftar and watching a Bundesliga match.

“We are proud to partner with the Bundesliga, bringing the next three seasons of the German Premier League to the MENA region exclusively across MBC broadcast and streaming platforms. Our partnership will extend beyond broadcasting rights to also include marketing and promotion, as well as exchanging comprehensive technical expertise, and much more,” said Mike Sneesby CEO of MBC Group.

“This new agreement is part of our strategic objective to bring the best international sports to millions of fans across the Arab world and the entire region and will allow them to enjoy all the magic of German football,” concluded Sneesby.

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in August: The Pursuit of Peace

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in August: The Pursuit of Peace

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in August: The Pursuit of Peace

The Pursuit of Peach – Searching for Answers

Animation Documentary
Iwata’s Grandma

August 1 Fri.
1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC)

August 5 Tue.
19:00 (UTC)

Why does Iwata’s Grandma refuse to be in photos? This animation documentary is based on a picture book about the atomic bomb tragedy but conveys kindness and hope rather than fear and anxiety.

Documentary 360
KAMIKAZE: An Untold History

August   9 Sat.   Ep.1
August 10 Sun.  Ep.2
0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) 

On the Pacific front towards the end of World War II, Japan’s imperial armed forces launched “kamikaze” attacks, or suicide missions by aircrafts laden with bombs. It was a mad operation with no hope of returning alive. But the nation went wild, and the attacks continued for ten months, literally until the very last day of war. About 4,000 crew lost their lives. How could this happen? Utilizing 15 years-worth of extensive interviews with both US and Japanese former military personnel as well as experts, combined with a detailed “hometown map” created from the data of each and every life lost, and the latest analysis of archival footage and documents, the program delves into the mechanism of how a crazed madness swept through an entire nation. 

BOSAI:
Science that Can Save Your Life

Saturdays
5:40/11:40/17:40/22:40 (UTC)

Mondays  1:15 (UTC)
Tuesdays  8:45 (UTC)

Japan has a long history of natural disasters. BOSAI explores how to overcome them and save lives with the power of science.