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)
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.
