18 March 2019
The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) today released its detailed Fiscal Year 2020 budget request, seeking $628 million to support key U.S. foreign policy goals, maximize impact and continue modernization initiatives while accommodating current spending constraints.
“Through unprecedented collaboration between the five USAGM networks and a strategic focus on language-based programming rather than national boundaries, we successfully meet the demand for accurate, compelling journalism that impacts lives and communicates America’s democratic values to our growing global audience,” said USAGM CEO and Director John F. Lansing, adding, “Our work is more important than ever.”
USAGM is in the midst of a significant multi-year transformation effort designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency and to increase its impact on the audiences it serves worldwide. This undertaking aligns with the Administration’s National Security Strategy and the President’s management priorities of effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability, and advances USAGM’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.
The agency’s portion of the President’s FY 2020 Budget request will build on recent strategic investments, including:
- Continuing to build VOA365, the new 24/7 Persian-language global network led by Voice of America (VOA) in cooperation with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Radio Farda;
- Creating a global Mandarin-language digital network, with collaboration between VOA and Radio Free Asia (RFA);
- Expanding Russian-language content through Current Time;
- Reaching critical audiences in Central and South America, particularly Venezuela;
- Developing refugee-focused programming and broadcasts; and
- Continuing the dynamic transformation and modernization of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Television and Radio Martí) and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN).
In FY 2018, USAGM reached a record weekly audience of 345 million across radio, television and the internet-a 24 percent increase from the FY 2017 audience of 278 million. This growth continues the agency’s upward trend in audience reach in recent years, reflecting both the quality of USAGM content and its duty as a trusted source of news and information in a complex global media environment.
Additional information regarding USAGM’s budget submission can be found in the Fiscal Year 2020 Congressional Budget Request.
(Source: USAGM press release)
5 March 2019
MBC Group has been ranked the 37th Most Viewed Global Media Property in the world – and number one in the Middle East – by the latest VideoAces Awards, which measures videos viewed across all major social media platforms worldwide.
The global top 100 were chosen from 3,200 leading brands, media organisations and content creators.
Now in its third year, the VideoAces – which is managed by Tubular Labs, the world leader in digital video measurement and sponsored video intelligence – recognises the most viewed brands and media companies across social video.
MBC Group joins the ranks amongst leading media organisations, such as Netflix, RT, KBS World TV, Masha and the Bear, US Today, US Agency for Global Media, SKY PLC, abc News, Pops Worldwide, GMA and others.
The year 2018 was enormous for online video, said Tubular Labs, with over 6,500 years-worth of content uploaded across social platforms to create over 804 million videos. That’s a 46% increase from 2017.
Tarek Qazzaz, Head of MBC’s Digital Media and Creative Services (DMCS) department, told Tubular: “We went into 2018 with a dedicated plan to beat our own best, and to become the biggest media brand for socialized video in the Middle East and worldwide.
“With a lot of focus and dedication by the teams and all of MBC Group, we’ve managed to deliver above and beyond our own expectations. This success is down to many people across the business and their acute understanding of what audiences want. Wherever there are audiences, there is MBC.”
DMCS is the MBC Group department responsible for the creation, distribution and circulation of MBC media across all digital platforms supporting marketing, digital and commercial B2B services.
The top five Global Media Properties for 2018 are:
- WarnerMedia
- The LADbible Group
- The Walt Disney Company
- The Soul Publishing
- Buzzfeed
(Source: MBC press release)
4 March 2019
The first ever BBC Horn of Africa roadshow
Just launched, and running from the 4th – 16th March, BBC News Amharic, BBC News Afaan Oromo, and BBC News Tigrinya will be travelling around different regions of Ethiopia to meet and engage directly with their audiences in their hometowns. In the first of its kind for the BBC, this unique roadshow will include debates and discussions for the public to be part of and bring new content every day for audiences around the region.
These three BBC language services launched in September 2017, and have since covered and recorded numerous historic events in the region.
The roadshow coincides with the almost one year anniversary since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power and will be an opportunity to assess his achievements and also analyse the challenges he currently faces. There will also be big interviews with some of Ethiopia’s trail blazers; including the country’s first female President of the Federal Supreme Court, Meaza Ashenafi, and the first female chair of the electoral commission, Birtukan Mideksa – who is also a former opposition activist. Plus a number of other leaders. Throughout the 11 days there will be a series of events covering the issues that are key to the local audience in different parts of the country. Original content will be available on radio, social media and BBC News Amharic, BBC News Afaan Oromo, and BBC News Tigrinya
The finale of the roadshow will be a joint debate on the issue of fake news on Saturday 16th March in Addis Ababa.
Rachael Akidi, BBC Head of East Africa says: “We want to introduce our journalism to audiences across Ethiopia. It’s Africa’s second most populous nation with a young and dynamic demographic. We hope the roadshow will be able to capture the momentous transformation the country has undergone over the last year, and also examine some of the challenges it still faces. It’s an opportunity for our audiences to hear the full story of Ethiopia.”
Hashtags: #BBCHOAOnTheRoad
#BBCNewsTigrinya / #BBCNewsAmharic/ #BBCNewsAfaanOromo
Facebook pages:
BBC News Amharic / BBC News Afaan Oromo/ BBC News Tigrinya
28 January 2019
10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki
Episode 1
Feb. 23 Sat.
23:10/ next day 5:10/ 10:10/ 17:10
Since 2007, NHK has been granted exclusive access to the studio of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, documenting his creative process for 10 years. While his films have won international acclaim for their stunning visuals, this four-part documentary series explores the gritty reality behind the scenes. Miyazaki is shown as a passionate artisan, a father going head to head with his son, and a steadfast trailblazer. The remaining three parts will be broadcast monthly starting in March.
Entertainment Nippon 2019 Lisa Ono
Feb. 9 Sat.
23:10/ next day 5:10/ 10:10/ 17:10
Born in Brazil and later raised in Japan, Lisa Ono has been spreading the sounds of bossa nova around the world for 30 years. She’s known especially for introducing Brazilian music to audiences in Asia. In this program, Ono plays in her home town of São Paulo. Joining her on stage are family members of Antônio Carlos Jobim, known as “the father of bossa nova.” Listen in for the tunes and find out the stories behind the songs.
The Founder
Visionary Shogun, Ieyasu
Clean Water for All
Episode 1
Feb. 1 Fri. 23:10/ next day 5:10/ 10:10/ 17:10
Episode 2
Feb. 8 Fri. 23:10/ next day 5:10/ 10:10/ 17:10
Currency Wars
Episode 3
Feb. 15 Fri. 23:10/ next day 5:10/ 10:10/ 17:10
Episode 4
Feb. 22 Fri. 23:10/ next day 5:10/ 10:10/ 17:10
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, now awaits the Olympic Games of 2020. The thing is, the place was in the middle of the wilderness around 400 years ago. Enjoy the drama of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a dreamer who paved the way for a sleepy hamlet in the back country called Edo to become the “Metropolis Edo,” and the zealous men who bet their lives on the shogun’s dream! This is the first dramatization of the work written by the Naoki Prize-winning novelist Yoshinobu Kadoi. The drama dynamically recreates the “building of Edo” by Ieyasu and the nameless men.
RISING
Thu. 1:30/ 7:30/ 10:30/ 19:30
A documentary series that profiles rising stars in various fields-inspiring people who are challenging conventional wisdom and leading the pack.
28 January 2019
MBC Group announces the launch of MBC Iraq, a brand-new entertainment television channel, providing a diverse selection of gripping content suitable for the entire Iraqi family. This latest debut is part of the Group’s five-year vision to expand and grow its offerings throughout the region.
While the official launch of the channel is scheduled for the evening of Sunday 17 February 2019, Iraqi viewers will be able to enjoy a sneak peek of what’s to come with the airing of two specials: The first on Friday 15 February, with the broadcast of ‘Winter at Tantora’, a Saudi cultural festival featuring a number of Iraqi singing stars including Kadhim al-Saher and Ilham al-Madfai.
The second will be the debut of the sixth season of ‘Arab’s Got Talent’ at 9pm Iraq time on Saturday 16 February 2019.
MBC’s relationship with Iraqi viewers is one that has been ongoing for years, primarily through televising Iraqi dramas, featuring Iraqi talent including superstar singers and many TV stars. Behind the scenes, many Iraqis have contributed to the growth of the Group through their hard work in HR, admin, technical, production, and more since the company’s establishment in 1991.
The launch of MBC Iraq highlights the Group’s ambition to strengthen its relationship with audiences in Iraq, and this will be reflected in the channel’s first line of programming, consisting of Iraqi productions such as drama and comedy; in addition to socio-cultural premium entertainment shows. Moreover, viewers can expect a special, tailored line-up during the Ramadan season, to be announced in due course.
“MBC Iraq is the result of the purposeful vision of Chairman of the Board, Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim, and the culmination of MBC Group’s five-year expansion and growth plan, which we announced in the last quarter of 2018,” said Sam Barnett, CEO of MBC Group.
“MBC Iraq is a premium television network that caters to the needs of a sophisticated Iraqi audience, offering exclusive and premium content suitable for all members of the family and all age groups. Our aim is to offer increased localised productions, offering opportunities to Iraqi talent and prospects in media to its youth.”
Titles to expect on MBC Iraq include the social comedy show, ‘Koma D’; the music programme ‘Sahraya’ with Iraqi singing star Hatem Al-Iraqi; the cultural show ‘Al-Nahr Al-Thalath’ with Alaa Al-Hussein; ‘Al-Laylah Wayah Da’adoush’ talk show; and the lifestyle programme ‘Bait Beauty’.
(Source: MBC press release)
