TRT joins ASBU

TRT joins ASBU

TRT joins ASBU

TRT, Türkiye’s public service media, has strengthened its international presence by becoming an associate member of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU). The decision was made unanimously during ASBU’s 44th General Assembly, held in Tunis on January 15, 2025, with nearly 200 delegates in attendance.

ASBU, a prominent organization comprising 41 members, categorizes its membership into “active members,” “participating members,” and “associate members.” While active membership is exclusive to Arab countries, TRT’s inclusion as an associate member reflects its growing influence in the region. This status allows TRT to actively engage in ASBU’s General Assembly meetings, participate in committees, and contribute to the Union’s initiatives, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among members.

In addition to contributing its expertise, TRT will gain access to ASBU’s renowned news exchange network and opportunities such as participation in the Arab Radio and Television Festival. These platforms will enhance TRT’s ability to connect with audiences across the Arab world.

Turkish dramas, including TRT’s globally celebrated series Diriliş: Ertuğrul, have already achieved significant popularity in Arab countries. With its membership in ASBU, TRT is poised to deepen cultural ties and expand co-production opportunities with broadcasters in the region.

Founded in 1969 in Khartoum, Sudan, ASBU has its headquarters in Tunis, where it hosts its annual General Assembly. The organization aims to strengthen relationships among Arab broadcasting organizations, enhance content production, provide technical and consultancy services, and facilitate news and media exchanges. ASBU is also a key member of the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU), further amplifying its influence on the global stage.

TRT’s inclusion in ASBU adds to its growing portfolio of international partnerships. The broadcaster is also a member of prestigious organizations such as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), the Mediterranean Center for Audiovisual Communication (CMCA), the Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators (COPEAM), the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), where it holds the presidency since 2023. These memberships underscore TRT’s commitment to fostering global collaboration and strengthening its position as a leading voice in international broadcasting.

[Source: TRT press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in January: Noto Quake Update

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in January: Noto Quake Update

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in January: Noto Quake Update

Noto Quake Update: One Year Later

Kintsugi: Repairing a Post-Quake Community

Jan 10 Fri.
14:30/20:30/3:10/10:10 (UTC)

Jan 15 Wed.
19:00 (UTC)

Kintsugi mends broken pottery with gold. An artist is restoring earthenware damaged by the Noto earthquake, helping residents put the pieces of their lives back together too. 

Kawashima Toru: Connection and Tradition in Recovering Noto

Jan 31 Fri.
4:30/8:30/16:30 (UTC)

Kawashima Toru is a chef of Japanese cuisine based in Noto. Through the power of food and human connection, he’s been working to help the region recover from the New Year’s Day 2024 earthquake.

When My Coffee Reaches Someone  

Jan 12 Sun.
1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC)

Strangers find community in a small coffee shop in Kumamoto. People come from all over to share their troubles and seek solace. A cup of coffee and kind words help with the healing. 

Dining with the Chef

Tuesdays
1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC)

Traditional techniques and resourceful recipes! Chefs Saito and Rika, present their unique approaches to cooking delicious Japanese food.

   

 

BBC World Service to provide people of Syria with enhanced services

BBC World Service to provide people of Syria with enhanced services

BBC World Service to provide people of Syria with enhanced services

Following the rapid developments in Syria, the BBC World Service will offer enhanced services to audiences across the country.

Broadcast on medium wave and FM, an enhanced audio service will provide the people of Syria and surrounding countries with a trusted source of independent news when audiences need it the most, particularly as local media and digital services are disrupted.

Broadcasting news and information in Arabic, the service will air BBC News Arabic bulletins throughout the day including the BBC News Arabic’s World at One and BBC News Arabic’s Newsnight. It will also feature packages from the Gaza Lifeline service and contributions from correspondents such as Feras Kilani as well as the BBC’s wealth of reporters based across the region.

There will also be an English offer on the network, curated from World Service English, for those Syrians who speak the language.

Jonathan Munro, Global Director, BBC News (pictured), says: “As we have all been watching, listening to and reading about the dramatic changes that have swept through Syria, the Syrian population have been left without essential access to reliable and independent news about the events taking place. The BBC World Service’s enhanced services will bring them the latest breaking news and analysis from Syria, the Middle East and the rest of the world.”

The Syrian radio network will go out  on medium wave, 720kHz and 639kHz, and on 93.0 FM.

The BBC World Service has a history of responding to emergency situations globally. Most recently, in Nov 2024, we launched an emergency radio service for Gaza – which remains on air – and in May 2023 during the conflict in Sudan, BBC News Arabic began an emergency radio service. In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

BBC News has responded to the events in Syria with special programming across the week. World Service English amended their schedules on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December in response to the fast-developing story, there have been additional episodes of the BBC Global News podcast and correspondents including Barbara Plett-Usher, Lyse Doucet and BBC News Arabic’s Feras Kilani, have brought audiences breaking news across BBC outlets.

[Source: BBC press release]

MBC STUDIOS and Telfaz11 Studios form strategic partnership

MBC STUDIOS and Telfaz11 Studios form strategic partnership

MBC STUDIOS and Telfaz11 Studios form strategic partnership

MBC STUDIOS, the production arm of MBC GROUP and Telfaz11 Studios, a leading creative media studio, have announced a landmark partnership to co-develop and co-produce multiple projects that celebrate the depth and diversity of Saudi storytelling. This collaboration combines Telfaz11 Studios’ innovative creative storytelling and box office success with MBC STUDIOS’ strong regional reach and unparalleled production capabilities, marking a pivotal moment for the Kingdom’s entertainment industry.

The partnership includes multiple projects, including one based on a compelling true story, highlighting the shared mission of both companies to create meaningful content that captures the richness of Saudi culture and resonates deeply with audiences across the region. Together, they aim to nurture Saudi talent, drive creativity, and contribute to the growth of the region’s film and television industries.

MBC STUDIOS brings decades of expertise and an extensive regional footprint to the partnership, providing the resources and platforms to amplify Saudi stories across the Arab world and beyond. This collaboration leverages MBC STUDIOS’ ability to connect audiences to high-quality content while strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leader in the entertainment landscape.

Telfaz11 Studios, with its global success and box office records, has been instrumental in shaping Saudi cinema. The action-comedy “Sattar” became the highest-grossing Saudi film of all time. Similarly, the thriller “Mandoob” not only won critical acclaim as an award-winning film but also became the biggest Arabic-language film at the Saudi box office in 2024, surpassing international releases and setting a new benchmark for local productions. These successes underscore Telfaz11 Studios’ dedication to crafting stories that deeply resonate with audiences while contributing to the growing stature of Saudi cinema.

Wael Abu Mansour, Head of Telfaz11 Studios, stated: “This partnership with MBC Studios builds on the foundation we’ve established at Telfaz11 Studios with our slate of nine feature films, which span diverse genres and cater to a wide range of audiences. Our films, such as the record-breaking Sattar and the award-winning Mandoob, have not only achieved remarkable box office success but also demonstrated the power of authentic Saudi stories to captivate and connect. Collaborating with MBC Studios allows us to expand on this success, combining our creative vision with their expertise to deliver even more compelling content. Together, we aim to elevate Saudi storytelling and create a dynamic slate of films and series that entertain, inspire, and resonate with audiences across the region.”

Hana Al Omair, Saudi director and Creative Director at MBC STUDIOS, commented: “It is now more important than ever to tell our own stories. As creatives, we are constantly seeking fresh, diverse, and thought-provoking narratives that audiences across the GCC, the region, and the rest of the world can relate to or find engaging. By joining forces with the brilliant Telfaz11 Studios team, we are not only tapping into a treasure trove of authentic Saudi stories but also setting yet another new benchmark for excellence in regional content creation. I look forward to us exploring bold ideas, nurturing emerging talent, and crafting productions that speak to the heart of Saudi culture, captivating and inspiring viewers far beyond the Kingdom’s borders.”

This collaboration aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, fostering creativity, empowering local talent, and contributing to the Kingdom’s growth as a global cultural and entertainment hub. Through this partnership, MBC STUDIOS and Telfaz11 Studios are laying the groundwork for a new chapter in Saudi storytelling.

MBC GROUP is the largest and leading media organisation in the Middle East and North Africa.

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus for December: Taking on the Mantle of Peace Ambassador

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus for December: Taking on the Mantle of Peace Ambassador

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus for December: Taking on the Mantle of Peace Ambassador

Taking on the Mantle of Peace Ambassador

Peace Messengers:
No action too small

Transmission dates to be announced

Some 500 Japanese high school students have called for nuclear-arms abolition as peace ambassadors over the past 25 years. We meet some of these young people striving for peace.

Chasing the Chinese Dream in Africa

Dec 14 Sat.
0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC)

As economic growth in China stagnates, young people travel to Africa pursuing new opportunities. They seek futures in Nigeria, which boasts the highest population and GDP on the continent.

Tokyo Metro

Dec 13 Fri.
2:30/7:30/13:30/19:30 (UTC)

A vast subway network beneath the streets of the metropolis: the Tokyo Metro. In the first-ever report from its HQ, we see how staff and drivers collaborate to achieve safety and punctuality.

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!