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)
23 January 2019
The AIB publishes regular news briefings covering activities of our Member companies around the world and reporting on the Association for International Broadcasting’s activities.
The January 2019 industry briefing has now been published with updates on the AIB’s work on media freedom and sustainability, plus news from a range of our Member organisations.
The AIB industry briefing reaches more than 27,000 people involved in all aspects of media across the globe, from producers and editors to regulators and parliamentarians. Subscribe to have the monthly briefing delivered to your inbox using the form below.
22 January 2019
It had been thought that there would by now be clarity on the issue of Britain’s withdrawal from the EU at the end of March. However, the political debate in the UK has been mired in discord and confusion resulting in no one knowing what will happen after 29 March.
This continuing uncertainty presents a challenge for many businesses, including those operating pan-European TV channels.
This month, we have seen an announcement that Discovery Networks has applied for licences in the Netherlands, taking advantage of its existing large office in Amsterdam. Others are waiting to see what may develop over the coming weeks – and the AIB’s advice continues to be “don’t panic” as we think that whatever the outcome of UK political deliberations, there won’t be a sudden channel switch-off on 30 March – which would be contrary to the Council of Europe’s Transfrontier Television Directive and the EU’s commitment to freedom of expression.
The AIB will continue to meet with broadcasters, regulators and governments as the date Britain leaves the EU draws closer.
18 January 2019
This week saw the conclusion of the merger of Israel’s Reshet commercial TV network with Channel 14 (until 2017 known as Channel 10). The newly merged channel is called – perhaps just a little confusingly – Channel 13. The merger had been approved in November last year by Israel’s broadcasting authority. At the time, the owners of Reshet and Channel Ten said: “The approval this evening [8 November 2018] is an important and critical step toward regulating the television market in Israel. Merging the activities of Reshet and Channel Ten will allow the merged company to hold on to the majority of its employees and to offer the Israeli viewer better television, based on investing in quality and original content.”
The new channel was launched at a gala event in Tel Aviv attended by 1,500 celebrities and guests.
The merger reduces the number of commercial channels in Israel to two – Keshet Channel 12 and Reshet Channel 13.
18 January 2019
Following a ruling by UK media regulator Ofcom about programming on the English-language international broadcaster RT, the Moscow-based channel is to seek a judicial review. A statement by the broadcaster said: “Ofcom investigated ten RT programmes, and decided that seven were in breach; we firmly believe that none were [sic] in breach. RT is left with no choice other than to seek judicial review of the matter.”
Ofcom published the findings of its investigations on 20 December 2018, covering programmes broadcast in the aftermath of the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter in early 2018. Ofcom’s report said:
This document sets out Ofcom’s Decisions in relation to the above ten programmes, which were broadcast on RT over a period of approximately seven weeks between 17 March 2018 and 4 May 2018, in the wake of the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury on 4 March 2018.
The licence for the RT service is held by Autonomous Non-profit Organisation TV-Novosti (“TV Novosti” or “the Licensee”). Ofcom was alerted to these programmes by a combination of complaints from viewers and Ofcom’s own monitoring.
Ofcom considered that the programmes raised issues warranting investigation under the due impartiality rules set out in Section Five of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code (“the Code”). As required under our published procedures, we wrote to the Licensee on 18 April 2018 and 14 May 2018, requesting its comments under the relevant rules of the Code.
TV Novosti provided its written representations on 6 and 20 June 2018. Ofcom prepared Preliminary Views in relation to each of the ten programmes, which we sent to the Licensee on 13 September 2018. The Licensee provided its written representations on 22 November 2018 and its oral representations on 5 December 2018.
In accordance with our published procedures, having watched all the programmes and taken careful account of all the relevant information, including the individual facts of each case and the various representations made by TV Novosti, Ofcom has decided that the following programmes are in breach of the Code for the reasons set out in full in each corresponding decision:
• Sputnik, RT, 17 March 2018, 19:30;
• Sputnik, RT, 7 April 2018, 19:30;
• Crosstalk, RT, 13 April 2018, 20:30;
• Crosstalk, RT, 16 April 2018, 20:30;
• Crosstalk, RT, 20 April 2018, 08:30;
• News, RT, 18 March 2018, 08:00; and
• News, RT, 26 April 2018, 08:00.
In addition, and for the reasons set out in full in each case, we have decided that the following three programmes are not in breach of the Code:
• Worlds Apart, RT, 1 April 2018, 23:30;
• News, RT, 30 March 2018, 18:00; and
• News, RT, 4 May 2018, 08:00.
At the Preliminary View stage, Ofcom considered that one (News, 30 March 2018) of the ten programmes was not in breach of Section Five of the Code. However, following careful consideration of the Licensee’s written and oral representations, we decided that a further two programmes (Worlds Apart, 1 April 2018 and News, 4 May 2018) were also not in breach of Section Five of the Code.
RT’s statement continues:
“Ofcom required that RT devote yet more of its time to presenting the same mainstream viewpoints of other broadcasters, instead of delivering the alternative perspectives our viewers have come to rely on. These alternative viewpoints are essential to a well-informed public debate.
“In doing so, the regulator breached a key right of broadcasters, and more importantly of audiences. We are now placing the matter in the hands of the courts.”
