14 April 2016
The world-renowned designer ELIE SAAB has partnered with MBC Group for a unique collaboration involving the production of the Arabic adaptation of ‘Project Runway’– the hit international reality programme and competition dedicated to all things fashion– with the regional version confirmed as ‘Project Runway ME’. The Lebanese international creative couturier will also serve as the head of the judging panel of industry luminaries, where he will support and offer his expertise to the young, up-and-coming designers participating in the show’s debut season.
Joining Elis Saab as a judge is renowned Tunisian-Italian fashion icon, actress and TV presenter Afef Jnifen. The third judge, meanwhile, will be a surprise every episode, with the appearance of a celebrity guest-star or expert.
Rounding up the show’s line-up, Saudi national Faris Al Shehri is set to mentor the participants as they take on weekly fashion challenges, while Lebanese-Australian model Jessica Kahawaty is to present the programme.
‘Project Runway’– which is a global TV format of “FremantleMedia” – is one of the world’s most prominent television shows dedicated to fashion, and is available in various local formats, including the original version produced in the United States. The show has gone on to be produced in numerous countries and local languages around the world.
Speaking of his involvement in ‘Project Runway ME’, Elie Saab said: “I am extremely enthusiastic with regards to this collaboration and its objectives, partnering the House of ELIE SAAB with MBC Group, which of course needs no introduction. My role in the programme is an integral part of my constant desire to develop the fashion industry in the Arab world, striving for ultimate excellence and sophistication in Art, craft and workmanship; factors that will allow us to streamline the Arab fashion industry and turn it into a more global one.”
Elie Saab concluded: “Throughout the season, we will work towards strengthening the talented participants’ skills, by developing their artistry in fashion design through the use of innovative techniques and the exquisite materials. Each episode will feature a different theme, challenging the contestants to adopt better concepts and so on. This unique opportunity will help open wide fashion doors to participating talents.”
In turn, Mazen Hayek, MBC Group’s Official Spokesman commented: “We are proud of this collaboration with the world-famous Lebanese creative designer Elie Saab, who is an inspiration to millions around the world, and a reference to the lovers of high-end, luxury fashion.”
“’Project Runway ME’ is the latest to build on the success of the current roster of talent and reality television entertainment offered by MBC Group across its channels, platforms and touch points. It’s also no doubt a welcome addition to the multitude of MBC’s shows and local productions, plus special reports that have always been unique offerings to the world of fashion.”
Hayek concluded: “The Arabic adaptation of ‘Project Runway’ will be further enhanced especially when compared to other local adaptations around the world – thus featuring additional features and greater entertainment production values during every episode, right down to the grand finale which will be televised live from the heart of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates – more specifically at “Dubai Design District – d3”, the premier backer of the show, and the best destination for promoting and nurturing emerging local talent, and providing a creative hub for established international luxury, design, innovation and fashion brands.”
Filming for the first episodes of ‘Project Runway ME’ has already commenced at MBC studios in Beirut, in the presence of Elie Saab and Afef Jnifen, along with the celebrity guest-star judge in every episode, and of course, Faris Al Shehri and Jessica Kahawaty. The launch season of the programme is set to debut in the last quarter of 2016 on MBC4 and MBC MASR.
(Source: MBC press release)
5 April 2016
At a press conference held on 5 April at MIPTV in Cannes, Michael Peters, CEO of Euronews and Africanews, presented the positioning of a new group founded on one vision: promoting a diversity of viewpoints.
After the arrival nine months ago of a new majority shareholder, and the official opening last October of a new world HQ, Michael Peters unveiled the first elements that flow from the new positioning of the group, which now consists of two international news sources: Euronews and Africanews.
Michael Peters, CEO of Euronews and Africanews, said: “We are engaged in a fight against disinformation and the negative aspects of what we call ‘infobesity’ – an excess of news entirely lacking in perspective. These new phenomena, amplified by the digital revolution, provide daily fuel for our raison d’être: the urgent need to put pluralism back at the centre of the international debate.
“With the arrival of Naguib Sawiris last July; the willingness of all our shareholders to support Euronews in its sweeping changes; and having settled into a new HQ at the cutting edge of technology, we now have the resources to match our ambitions.
“Euronews is entering a phase of deep transformation. A renaissance that draws its strength from the identity of Euronews and from the unrivalled assets that determine its clear mission: making diversity central to news.”
Both media outlets make a claim: whatever the platform, our editorial teams will be driven by a diversity of viewpoints and by giving users a say. Euronews and Africanews want to give everyone the chance to form their own opinion, without imposing one of our own and without pretence.
Euronews, All Views
Euronews will officially launch its new look on 17 May at 22:00 CET. At this exact moment, Euronews will unveil a new logo and a complete graphic overhaul, designed in conjunction with UK agency Lambie Nairn; and its new brand claim: “Euronews, All Views”.
Also on 17 May, the beta version of the new euronews.com website will be launched in order to further build the loyalty of our multiple digital audiences worldwide. The new euronews.com has been designed as part of a whole new ecosystem of non-linear services. This new digital offer, in full responsive design, positions Euronews perfectly to cater for new consumer habits. On our platforms and those of our partners, of social networks and of OTT services, the type of screen no longer matters.
This 17 May launch will kick off a complete overhaul of the way we produce news. This transformation is the bedrock of the “Euronews NEXT” plan, our strategic response to a globalised news world that is becoming increasingly uniform. Our response aims to break away from the market’s usual way of doing things. It stems from Euronews’ constant ambition to offer differentiating, disruptive products.
Euronews NEXT, once approved by the supervisory board, will take effect in May this year, and will lead to the completion of Euronews’ transformation in spring 2017.
We will harness the fresh opportunities offered by technology to build a Euronews that is more meaningful to its audiences in each language, and thus more impactful. This will be a decisive step in the development of a more iconic Euronews.
In an ultra-competitive sector, all of our actions are geared to strengthening Euronews, which today is distributed in nearly 200 countries and 430 million homes. Euronews has established itself in Europe, where it is the most-watched international news channel; and worldwide, where it is consumed by nearly 40 million people daily, more than 130 million weekly, and more than 240 million monthly.
Africanews, Your Voice
After its online launch on 4 January last, Africanews will launch its TV channel on 20 April 2016 in 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa simultaneously, and in more than 7 million homes via the main satellite packages, the main DTT offers, IPTV and also via our partners’ free-to-air windows in Africa.
Euronews’ sister channel, which covers African and world news from a pan-African perspective, shares its mission of meeting objectives of independence and the promotion of diversity. Produced in Pointe-Noire, Africanews has chosen a participatory format that will let it bring the pan-African perspective into the international debate. Africanews will be the voice of Africans, in Africa and worldwide. This ambition is reflected by a strong claim: “Africa, Your Voice”.
With a team of journalists from all over the continent, Africanews is fully aligned with the group’s new positioning.
(Source: Euronews press release)
4 April 2016
RT’s global video news agency RUPTLY has reached 200 million views on the world’s largest video sharing platform, ahead of many competitors .
Global video news agency RUPTLY was launched by RT in the spring of 2013. Currently, more than 600 media organizations – from global broadcasters to independent blogs – in 45 countries, including the US, UK, Germany, France and China, are using its materials and services.
”We are proud to have reached 200 million views in such a short time. This indicates a high level of interest and trust on the part of the audience, which naturally attracts customers as well,” RUPTLY chief Xenia Fedorova said. “The key to our success is that, considering the tough competition we face, our correspondents are able to get truly exclusive, original content from all around the world. Oftentimes RUPTLY is the only agency covering a story that otherwise would go underserved or altogether ignored by other news outlets.”
RUPTLY uses cutting-edge technology to collect and transfer video news content: from drone cameras to real-time live-streaming of events, as well as the recently-launched RUPTLY Stringer application, which allows the agency to obtain content from eyewitnesses in a matter of minutes.
RUPTLY provided live coverage of a number of key events such as the meeting between Russia’s Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis in Cuba. RUPTLY’s drone footage of Homs was used by the BBC, CBS, Fox News, Al Jazeera and the Daily Mail website. In August 2015, RUPTLY’s exclusive footage of a shooting in Ferguson on the anniversary of Michael Brown’s killing was also widely picked up by international news media.
VISIT RUPYLY THIS WEEK AT MIP TV IN CANNES, FRANCE – STAND P-1.N50
(Source: RT press release)
23 March 2016
From Tuesday 29 March, NHK WORLD TV, the 24-hour international English language channel from Japan’s public service provider, NHK, will launch a consumer-facing, multimedia advertising campaign in the UK with Virgin Media.
Using the slogan ‘Hit the road with NHK WORLD TV’, the campaign is designed to promote NHK WORLD TV’s diverse range of travel programmes, engaging UK audiences in the run up to Japan’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The three-week advertising campaign will launch on Tuesday 29 March with a one day ‘homepage takeover’ on virginmedia.com, showcasing NHK WORLD TV’s travel season. Alongside this, NHK WORLD TV will be advertising its programmes across the London Underground Virgin Media WiFi network, a free extra for major mobile networks in the UK, and Virgin Media TiVo set top boxes.
NHK WORLD TV has also engaged London-based specialist TV PR company, tpr media, to support the promotion of its travel programming output, both to consumer and targeted trade media.
The travel programmes selected for promotion until Tuesday 19 April include:
TOKYO EYE 2020: From iconic landmarks to delicious dishes, this series explores some of the greatest aspects of Tokyo as the Japanese metropolis undergoes a new transformation in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In each programme presenter Chris Peppler examines a different aspect of the city’s development with input from a range of contributors including Tokyo-based photographer Martin Holtkamp.
Weds 00:30-01:00 / 13.30-14.00 / 18.30-19.00
J-Trip Plan: The number of tourists visiting Japan is increasing year on year and their demand for unique experiences in growing too. This series is great resource for travellers who want to learn more about the country’s food, events, fashion, leisure activities and trends, with insider tips on where to go, and how to get there – from mountain temples to cherry blossom festivals. In addition to the weekly programme, presented by Thane Camus and Amy Ota, travellers can discover a wealth of practical advice and interesting facts on J-Trip Plan’s Facebook page.
Mon 15:30-16:00 / 21:30-22:00
Tues 03:30-04:00
Core Kyoto: This fascinating series delves deep into the core of Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto, exploring the city’s 1200 years of history and culture from the kimono and the koto (a long Japanese zither with thirteen strings) to sake and Kannon (the God of Mercy).
Thurs 0:30-01:00 / 06:30-07:00 / 13:30- 14:00 / 18:30-19:00
Journeys in Japan: The series follows English-speaking visitors as they travel through Japan, exploring local culture, meeting the people and offering insider travel tips rarely found in guidebooks. Each episode focuses on a different topic, from Japan’s snowy mountains to its popular hot spring towns. In one programme, model and actor, Dean Newcombe from Newcastle learns about the practice of asceticism in a Zen temple to prepare for ‘Sominsai’, a naked folk festival in Iwate prefecture.
Tue 0:30-01:00 / 06:30-07:00 / 13:30-14:00 / 18:30-19:00
Thurs 15:30-16:00 /21:30-22:00 (Rerun)
Fri 03:30-04:00 (Rerun)
NHK WORLD TV, the 24-hour international English language channel produced by Japan’s public service broadcaster NHK, showcases everything Japanese – from culture to news on the hour and a programming schedule that covers subjects from art and travel, to cookery and science and technology. The channel, which is available on Sky, Freesat, TVPlayer, Virgin Media and a dedicated app, reaches 280 million households in more than 150 countries.
For more details: www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/howto
23 March 2016
Alhurra Television launches a new program that turns the spotlight on successful Egyptian women making their mark on society. Sit B’Mit Ragel (Arabic for ‘A Lady is Worth 100 Men’) profiles four Egyptian women who are embarking on traditionally male dominated jobs. They each talk about their unique journey into their careers and the challenges they have faced trying to make inroads in Cairo’s tough business environment. The reality program delves into their relationships and dealings with colleagues, customers and families alike. A preview of the program can be seen here.
“Unfortunately, many of the stories you hear about women in Egypt have to do with the harassment and the exploitation of women. We wanted to do a program that showcases their successes. These are four engaging and entrepreneurial women who have taken charge of their future and serve as a role model to women around the world,” stated Brian Conniff, President of Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN). MBN manages and oversees Alhurra. “There are many strong women in Egypt and Alhurra is one of the few media outlets where their stories can be told.”
The show focuses on four women with different socioeconomic and generational backgrounds.
- Reem is the owner of Pink Taxis in Cairo, a new taxi cab business that relies solely on female drivers and customers. Pink Taxi allows Egyptian women to have a taxi service they know will provide them a hassle free ride to wherever they are going. The business model will also employ women and provide them with skills and self-reliance.
- Aasma works as a carpenter along with her husband in a small family business. No job is too big or small for Aasma to tackle to the amazement of her family and friends. Her craftsmanship is sought after, though she fights against preconceived notions that women cannot be carpenters, by both men and women. Aasma and her husband Medhat live in a modern blended family.
- Heba and Nira are two sisters expanding their catering business for the first time to include bakery shops where Egyptians can come in an purchase their baked goods. Both women came from different careers before they started baking, Heba in interior design and Nira in public relations. The first shop they want to open is in the Zamalek district of Cairo.
Sit B’Mit Ragel is the latest Alhurra program to be based in Egypt; other shows include Hiwar Cairo, Street Pulse and Cairo serves as one of the main bureau of Alhurra’s flagship program Al Youm. Sit B’Mit Ragel premieres on March 26th and airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. (Cairo time). More information about the program can be found at https://www.facebook.com/setb100ragel.
Alhurra is operated by the non-profit corporation The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN). MBN is financed by the U.S. Government through a grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent federal agency. (Source: Alhurra press release)
