MBC GROUP joins forces with Netflix

28 July 2025

MBC GROUP joins forces with Netflix

MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media organisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announces a groundbreaking new regional partnership with Netflix, one of the world’s leading entertainment services.

This first-of-this-kind partnership for Netflix in the Middle East and North Africa will give customers of MBCNOW – the recently launched entertainment service aggregator by MBC GROUP – seamless access to the full Netflix service. The newly created bundle will combine Netflix alongside Shahid, the world’s Arabic streaming platform, in addition to Linear TV channels, in one simple subscription.

This exciting new offering – bringing together two streaming giants under one roof – has never been seen before in MENA and promises to cater to the varied viewing preferences of families from the GCC, wider Arab world, and beyond. Featuring an extensive variety of content, including critically acclaimed series, documentaries, films, and more, there’s something for everyone this season with MBCNOW.

Fadel Zahreddine, Group Director of Emerging Media at MBC GROUP, commented: “This groundbreaking partnership is one for the books. To have two streaming giants – Shahid and Netflix – come together under one platform is something never seen before in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and wider MENA, and we’re very excited for what’s to come.”

“We’re thrilled to have MBC GROUP join forces with Netflix to bring its content to our audiences under the convenience of a single subscription. This collaboration is part of our ongoing commitment to provide unparalleled global and local experiences for our audiences in the region. This is definitely the future of streaming and content consumption.” added Bhanu Chaddha, Director of Distribution and TV Products at MBC GROUP.”

On his part, Mohammed Al Kuraishi, Head of Business Development and Partnerships, Middle East and Africa at Netflix said. “We are delighted to partner with MBC GROUP to bring our members in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the region easy access to our service and an incredible variety of international and Arabic shows, movies, documentaries, kids content, stand-ups, Live- events, and games. This partnership brings unparalleled entertainment offering to our members and puts them at the heart of the entertainment experience.”

Launched February 2025, MBCNOW offers an unmatched approach to content consumption for Saudi and wider Arab audiences. Transcending traditional TV viewing, MBCNOW has been designed to seamlessly bridge the gap between digital streaming and traditional broadcast television – bringing together MBC’s award-winning channels, as well as Shahid, all in one destination.

With the new Netflix agreement, MBC GROUP brings forward a distinctive bundle through MBCBNOW:

Shahid + Netflix Pack: Combines the best of Arabic and international content, featuring Shahid’s vast library of award-winning Arabic TV shows, films, and documentaries, along with Netflix’s full catalogue. This bundle features a saving of more than or 21% compared to individual subscriptions.

Now available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across all major retailers and eCommerce stores, MBCNOW is the go-to hub for all entertainment needs. For more information on MBCNOW’s offers, options, and availability, as well as its brand-new bundle with Shahid and Netflix, please visit: mbc-now.net.

[Source: MBC press release]

US District Court Orders USAGM to Pay RFE/RL for Rest of Fiscal Year

19 July 2025

US District Court Orders USAGM to Pay RFE/RL for Rest of Fiscal Year

Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has granted Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)’s request for a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit against the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

In his ruling, the judge ordered USAGM to timely disburse RFE/RL’s remaining congressionally appropriated funds for fiscal year 2025, concluding that the agency’s conditioning of funds on the imposition of onerous new grant terms and failure to engage in good-faith negotiations with RFE/RL violate the law.

Judge Lamberth wrote: “As far as this Court is aware, it is unprecedented for an agency to demand that entirely new terms govern its decades-old working relationship with a grantee entity and then stop responding, particularly when the agency is statutorily obligated to grant yearly congressional appropriations to that specific entity by name.” The Court stated that “USAGM’s flagrant disregard for its funding responsibilities” has caused RFE/RL to suffer “mass furloughs, cancelation of programming, and inevitable damage to the global influence that RFE/RL has built over decades.”

President and CEO Stephen Capus said:

“Today’s ruling by the Court is the culmination of relentless legal efforts to compel USAGM to release the funding necessary to carry out RFE/RL’s vital mission. Time and again, the Court has ruled in our favor on the basic issue of the release of our congressionally appropriated funds.

This victory provides our journalists with the momentum necessary to continue reaching the nearly 47 million people each week who rely on our journalism for the facts and to counter malicious propaganda from authoritarian governments. Now more than ever, we cannot cede the information space to tyrants.

With this ruling, RFE/RL can continue to advance U.S. national security interests.”

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in July: Japan’s Shinkansen Supertrain

2 July 2025

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in July: Japan’s Shinkansen Supertrain

Rail Wonderland: Japan’s Shinkansen Supertrain

Railway Kingdom Japan: The Shinkansen’s Punctual Perfection July 5 Sat. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) The shinkansen: world-renowned for exceptional on-time performance. We explore the highly skilled drivers and equipment that make it possible, through history and into a future of self-driving trains.
Neo-Japonism J-POP: Vocaloid Goes Global July 6 Sun. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) Japan’s Vocaloid culture is currently experiencing a boom in popularity worldwide. We examine why people are drawn to the voice synthesis technology and the artists that emerged from this culture.
EXPO 2025 Part One: Designing the Future July 25 Fri. 14:30/20:30/3:10/9:10 (UTC) Join us as we explore the distinctive works created by several of Japan’s most innovative architects at Osaka’s EXPO 2025 based on the central theme of designing for the future.
RAMEN JAPAN Sundays 5:10/11:10/17:10/22:10 (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.
Trails to Oishii Tokyo Wednesdays 14:30/20:30/3:30/9:30 (UTC) Delicious food from Tokyo’s markets! Learn about the amazing ingredients which are sourced from across Japan and sold at Tokyo’s fresh food markets.

France Médias Monde’s institutional website is now available in English

27 June 2025

France Médias Monde’s institutional website is now available in English

In addition to its French-language version, France Médias Monde has launched an institutional website in English, showcasing the group in all its components and specificities.

The website presents the group’s organisation (governance, locations and global presence, financing, key figures, etc.) and its international public service missions (global information, promotion of the French language, broadcasting in 21 languages, culture and support for talent, education and young audiences, cooperation and training, etc.). It also highlights its CSR commitments.

A large part of France Médias Monde’s institutional website is dedicated to presenting the group’s three media outlets – RFI, France 24, and Monte Carlo Doualiya – as well as its pureplayer offerings, including ENTR and InfoMigrants. Each dedicated page provides information about their editorial programming, languages, modes of reception, audience figures, and the teams that make their success possible. France Médias Monde’s independence, the transparency of its organisation, as well as its ethical framework, are also at the heart of the new institutional website.

Designed to serve as a crossroads to France Médias Monde’s entire digital ecosystem, the new website is linked to the dedicated pages of all three media outlets within the group, as well as to its various other digital platforms (HR site, advertising sales, CFI, Académie France Médias Monde, RFI Instrumental, RFI Musique, public procurement platform, online pressroom, etc.).

In line with France Médias Monde’s commitment to digital sobriety, the institutional website was built with an eco-design approach. An eco mode offers a more restrained browsing experience, while the limited use of colours and the simplicity of functions and content help reduce screen energy consumption.

A SITE DESIGNED FOR ACCESSIBILITY

France Médias Monde is committed to making its corporate website accessible to persons with disabilities. The website has been designed from the beginning with inclusion in mind, to guarantee a fluid, accessible experience for every visitor (easy navigation through a simple arborescence, attention to web accessibility standards). Following an audit carried out last May, which led to a series of technical improvements, France Médias Monde’s corporate website achieved a 94% compliance rate with the criteria of the RGAA (French general guidelines for improving accessibility of websites).

[Source: FMM press release]

e& Egypt and MBC Group Shahid streaming partnership

16 June 2025

e& Egypt and MBC Group Shahid streaming partnership

e& Egypt and Shahid, the flagship streaming platform of MBC Group, have announced an exclusive strategic partnership to deliver Shahid’s content library to e& Egypt customers across the country. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in enriching Egypt’s digital entertainment landscape and strengthening both brands’ presence in the market.

The partnership reflects the shared vision of both companies to offer value-driven, digitally integrated entertainment solutions to a wide segment of Egyptian consumers. It also supports e& Egypt’s digital transformation journey and Shahid’s strategic presence in the Egyptian market.

Under this partnership, e& Egypt customers will enjoy all content on Shahid platform exclusively as part of their bundle with direct integration with various e& Egypt offerings such as Emerald, VDSL, Hekaya, Demagh Tanya, Akwa Coins, and e& Cash.

This collaboration reflects e& Egypt’s direction towards digital transformation, with a strong focus on providing real added value to customers through smart partnerships with leading regional and global brands. It also supports the company’s positioning as a fully integrated technology group offering telecom services alongside the best digital and entertainment provider in the region.

“Through this collaboration, we aim to empower our customers with access to premium Arabic content that aligns with their interests and aspirations, while offering exclusive benefits and a fully integrated entertainment experience,” Samer Mourad, Vice President of Consumer at e& Egypt, said.

He added: “At e& Egypt, we are committed to delivering innovative services that meet the demands of the digital era and reinforce our position as a leading provider of telecommunications and technology solutions in the Egyptian market.”

“We believe that offering real added value to customers through smart partnerships is the optimal way to strengthen our brand. We look forward to continuously developing our services and expanding our offerings to deliver an exceptional digital experience,” he emphasized.

“We’re excited about this strategic partnership which gives us a unique opportunity to reach e& Misr’s Egyptian customers with Shahid’s market-leading streaming entertainment. The Egyptian market remains a strategic area for us, and we look forward to expanding our presence through innovative integration in a wide range of complementary e& telecom and payment services”. Director of Partnerships at Shahid, Scott Weeman said.

It is worth noting that e& Egypt has been a pioneer in telecommunications and IT in Egypt since its establishment in 2006. The company has seen significant growth in the Egyptian market, providing a wide range of services to millions of customers. It remains committed to keeping pace with rapid technological advancements to meet the ever-growing needs of its customers.

Shahid is the first and leading SVOD and AVOD streaming platform in the Arab world by MBC GROUP, offering premium content to Arab families, including binge worthy exclusive Shahid Originals; Shahid Premieres; Arabic movies fresh off the box-office; live TV channels in true HD quality; as well as international offerings, sports, kids offering, Arabic Adaptations, Turkish titles, more than 40 FAST channels, as well as Shahid Shorts – an exclusive hub for trending reels and short videos.

[Source: MBC press release]