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)
2 January 2019
In a statement released on 1 January 2019, Waleed Al-Ibrahim announced the establishment of an Editorial Board for Al Arabiya and Al Hadath News Channels, headed by AbdulRahman Alrashed and including members: Mazen Turki Al-Sudairi, Ali Hedeithy, Salman Al-Dossary and Faisal J. Abbas. Al-Ibrahim also announced the appointment of veteran journalist Dr. Nabil Khatib as the new General Manager of Al Arabiya and Al Hadath. Dr. Khatib succeeds Turki Al-Dakhil, who held the position since January 29, 2015.
In the same context, Al-Ibrahim said: “The main objective behind the establishment of the Editorial Board is to provide both channels with the best available human capital and expertise, while noting that it enjoys the kind of independence that’s necessary to secure the highest levels of professionalism, editorial integrity and credibility”. The Editorial Board will support the management of Al Arabiya and Al Hadath while helping streamline the business, across multi-platforms and touchpoints.
Al-Ibrahim further added: “Whilst welcoming Dr. Nabil “back home” to his family – where he spent nearly 13 years as one of Al Arabiya’s key pillars – I’d like to praise his academic accomplishments, skill-set and proven track-record. His appointment falls in line with the on-going commitment to propel Al Arabiya and Al Hadath to new heights – thus benchmarking with international standards”.
Al-Ibrahim concluded: “I’d like to thank our colleague Turki Al-Dakhil for managing Al Arabiya and Al Hadath over the last couple of years”.
It’s worth noting that Dr. Nabil Khatib enjoys a wealth of experience in Broadcast journalism, with a primary emphasis on News, coupled with an academic record in teaching and training – both students and professionals – in Journalism, Mass Media and Communication.
(Source: Al Arabiya press release)
3 December 2018
NHK partners with Eutelsat for the launch of the world’s first 8K channel
Japan’s national TV group NHK broadcast live images from the Vatican in 8K via EUTELSAT 12 West B satellite for its new channel BS8K
NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, has partnered with Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext: ETL) to launch the world’s first 8K network; BS8K. The live broadcast took place on December 2nd from the Vatican where images were transmitted to Tokyo via EUTELSAT 12 West B satellite with a mobile uplink provided by M-three Satcom. This momentous event by NHK has broken new ground for 8K contribution via satellite.
To achieve the technologically challenging feat, NHK relied on DVB-S2X modulation, in 16APSK, and HEVC encoding. The images (7680 pixels over 4320 lines, an astounding 33.3 million pixels per image) were shot at 60 frames per second in BT2020 colour space, with 10 bits of colour depth (1 billion colours) and high dynamic range HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), combined with 22.2 channel audio.
Airing today in Japan, BS8K features 8K Ultra HD footage of major cultural and sporting events, museums and natural landscapes, providing viewers with a fully immersive experience which will be broadcast 12 hours a day. The channel will allow for further experimentation with 8K prior to the large-scale deployment of the format for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics games in 2020.
Gerry O’Sullivan, Executive Vice President, Global TV and Video of Eutelsat: “Eutelsat has been a pioneer in delivering HD and Ultra HD formats since their inception, and this broadcast confirms satellite’s unique position as one of the vital technologies capable of broadcasting 8K signals. We look forward to working hand in hand with customers such as NHK as they continue to raise the bar higher for the broadcasting industry, to deliver the best possible video experience to viewers.”
(Source: Eutelsat press release)
5 November 2018
International news network TRT World has unveiled its new studios in Washington, D.C. The network will be broadcasting live news coverage and current affairs programmes from the heart of the US capital.
The channel will offer special coverage of the 2018 US Midterm elections on November 6-7. TRT World correspondents will be stationed across the country in key voting areas including Georgia, Florida and Texas. They will amplify human stories including from minority and first-time-voters, and key issues like immigration and the ‘year of the woman’. The election special will be anchored by Alican Ayanlar and feature top guest contributers.
TRT World’s Washington broadcast centre will also be launching its weekly flagship programme, Bigger Than Five. Hosted by international broadcast journalist Ghida Fakhry, Bigger Than Five will rethink the global world order, challenging the consolidation of power among superpowers and rethinking conventional approaches to international issues. It will elevate the voices of people impacted by policymakers, and feature hardhitting interviews with major political players in Washington and around the globe.
“The Washington Broadcast Centre is the first in a series of upgrades that TRT World is undertaking for all of its international locations,” said Ibrahim Eren, Director General and Chairman of TRT.
“We have always had a broadcast centre in Washington, but the new facility is bigger and technically more advanced. It has simplified the processes for correspondents and editors. We can proudly say that our new facility is now equipped to handle news as a regional hub.”
A team of 30-plus operates from the Washington office, including correspondents, video editors, engineers and operational staff. The new facility hosts four fully fitted edit rooms with voice-over capabilities, a media storage, DTL positions, a fully fitted control room and large studio.
TRT World is available across all major digital platforms in the U.S. including Roku, Amazon Fire tv, Apple TV reaching over 25 million devices. TRT World is also available on all American social media outlets with native content and dedicated apps. (Source: TRT press release)
