16 May 2018
O3 Productions, the drama and film production arm of MBC Group, the largest private media company in the Middle East & North Africa region, and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, one of the leading media and entertainment companies in the Middle East, announced a new partnership to co-finance and co-produce a slate of Saudi films for local, regional and international audiences.
This new deal comes in the wake of the first cinemas in two generations opening in Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announcing itself open for business for filmmakers from Saudi, the Arab world and internationally.
The country has a big presence at this year’s Cannes Film festival with The Saudi Film Council in town for the first time this year along with a Saudi Film Pavilion at the Marche du Film and a selection of Saudi short films showing as part of the festival’s industry programme. The Saudi Film Council has also announced a generous production rebate as a means to attract international productions to film in the Kingdom.
Though ImageNation and MBC/O3 are keeping specific details of the four new feature projects under wraps, genres are likely to include action, thriller, real-life dramas, and comedies. Projects will aim to film in Saudi and utilize Saudi talent in front of and behind the camera. Development has begun on all projects, with production set to commence in 2019.
Saudi comedian and writer Fahad Al Butairi, who previously collaborated with Image Nation on FROM A TO B and the upcoming RASHID AND RAJAB, is also writing a new project entitled LOVE ABOVE THE LAW, which will fall under the new deal. The film is a comedy about a middle class Saudi man marrying a girl from the Badiya, the rural community, and the two discovering they actually have a lot in common.
This MBC/O3 Saudi deal follows on from the previous film and TV deal that MBC and Image Nation announced last year.
Under that deal, O3 and Image Nation are currently in advanced development on the feature film adaptation of Saudi pop culture smash HWJN, about a devout God-fearing Jinn who forges a special bond with a talented Saudi female medical student.
Emirati filmmaker Majid Al-Ansari, who previously directed Image Nation’s Zinzana and has served as executive producer on a number of Image Nation’s other projects will direct the film, which will commence shooting in the Autumn of this year. An extensive casting search in Saudi Arabia is currently underway for the leads in the film and casting will be announced in due course.
A spin-off TV series The Delusionists which also has a unique take on modern Saudi and Arab society will also go into production back-to-back with the film.
Fadi Ismail, Group Director of O3 Productions said: “There is so much to be done in this brave new drive and we believe in collaboration with those who have the same ambitions and vision. Image Nation is a trusted and established player in the film industry and we have joined forces to launch a slate of Saudi films that will promote Saudi storytelling and talents. MBC Group – via its Drama and Film production arm – is keen to push Saudi storytelling, through Drama and Film, qualitatively and quantitatively, to new heights – thus creating premium content that not only is captivating to Saudi and regional viewers, but can travel globally and help in further projecting the positive image of KSA as an active player in international entertainment industry.”
Ben Ross, Head of Narrative Film and Television at Image Nation, commented: “As Saudi Arabia begins a new chapter in its cinematic history, this exciting partnership between Image Nation, MBC and O3 will showcase the very best Saudi filmmaking talent in front of and behind the camera. We are one of the first foreign companies investing in Saudi content and are looking forward to introducing new Saudi talent to local, regional and global audiences. We’re delighted to be working with the multi-talented Fahad Al Butairi again on Love Above the Law. This deal really underscores Image Nation and MBC’s shared commitment to producing high-quality Arab language film and television projects for the Arab world.”
(Source: MBC press release)
15 May 2018
Arqiva, the leading UK communications infrastructure company, has today announced a new agreement which will see the reach of Sound Digital’s commercial DAB multiplex in the UK expand by nearly 4 million people.
The agreement with Sound Digital will see Arqiva add 19 new transmitters to the existing network. This will increase Sound Digital’s household coverage by over 1.6m new households in areas such as Devon, Cornwall, South Wales, North East Scotland, East Anglia and Kent.
Sound Digital, the second national commercial DAB multiplex, currently carries 19 radio stations on its network, including Mellow Magic, Virgin Radio, Forces Radio, Sunrise Radio and Jack 3. It is the first national multiplex in the UK to use DAB+ technology for some of its services.
Steve Holebrook, Managing Director, Terrestrial Broadcast at Arqiva, said: “This agreement to expand the reach of Sound Digital is further evidence of the continued success of DAB radio in the UK, and the fact that more and more people are making it their digital radio platform of choice.
“This week’s RAJAR figures are widely expected to show that for the first time ever, the majority of radio listening is through digital means and within that, DAB is by far the largest contributor.
“We are delighted to be bringing Sound Digital’s diverse range of content to almost 4 million new listeners for the first time.”
9 May 2018
Deal will see new C- and Ku-band VSAT services launched at ultra-competitive prices
London, UK, and Brussels, Belgium, May 8, 2018 – Professional VSAT services provider SatADSL , Global Telesat – which provides telecommunication services in rural and challenging locations – and satellite operator RascomStar today announced a new partnership to offer affordable satellite broadband connectivity across Africa
Under the agreement, Global Telesat will manage the services from its state-of-the-art teleport facilities in Alicante, Spain. From there, Global Telesat can connect its iDirect Evolution hub to SatADSL’s innovative Cloud-based Service Delivery Platform (C-SDP), enabling it to offer a range of services for communities, businesses, administrations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) – all without investment in a physical infrastructure.
“We are committed to providing reliable connectivity anywhere at any time, even in the most challenging locations,” said Laure Gathy, New Business Development Manager at Global Telesat. “SatADSL’s solutions are a perfect fit for our customers who cannot rely on terrestrial infrastructure to connect and the C-SDP means we can offer services quickly and very cost-effectively.”
RascomStar will supply the capacity over its satellite RQ1R located at 2.9°East, covering the whole of Africa in C and Ku band connectivity.
CEO of RascomStar Sherif Azzabi said: “Our mission at RascomStar is to develop remote and rural areas across Africa and we’re delighted that our paertnership with SatADSL and Global Telesat will enable us to do just that.”
Global Telesat is the latest service provider to connect to SatADSL’s C-SDP, which is now being used by 76 Africa-based partners.
Founder and Chief Operations Officer at SatADSL Caroline De Vos said: “We are proud to partner with Global Telesat and RascomStar to enhance the communications of individuals and enterprises across Africa. Pooling our combined expertise in the satellite communications industry has enabled us to provide a unique offering to previously underserved areas at a time when connectivity has never been more crucial.”
About SatADSL
SatADSL (www.satadsl.net) is a satellite Service Provider which designs and offers innovative satellite networking solutions to banks, microfinances, broadcasters, NGOs, Governments, ISPs, telecom operators and other companies in Africa and the Middle East in remote areas or where terrestrial infrastructure is not reliable.
Founded in 2010, SatADSL has already installed more than 3,000 VSAT networks in more than 45 countries. It specializes in providing tailor-made solutions based on customers’ specific requirements and flexible service plans that meet its clients’ budgets.
Through its carrier-grade Cloud-Service Delivery Platform (C-SDP), which integrates the most advanced technologies, SatADSL provides custom-made networking solutions, tailor-made service plans and value-added services, including hierarchical service control and monitoring, traffic prioritization and online billing and payments, for any frequency band and any access technology.
About Global Telesat
Global Telesat Communications (GTC) is a provider of communications hardware, airtime, mapping and related services which operate via satellite on the world’s leading commercial satellite networks. GTC enables wireless communications in areas not served or underserved by regular landline or mobile networks, or in circumstances where these networks are not operational due to natural or man-made disasters. Many of GTC’s products and services offer 100% global coverage thereby allowing users in remote locations to make phone calls, connect to the internet and track assets or personnel anywhere in the world.
GTC provides equipment and airtime for use on all the major satellite networks including Globalstar, Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya, and has a rental service for customers requiring equipment on a short-term basis.
GTC was established in Poole, UK in 2008 as a family owned and run business. In 2015, the company merged with Orbital Tracking Corp., and its subsidiary Orbital Satcom Corp, US-based providers of satellite based tracking, voice and data communications. Through these three companies, GTC offers expert advice, competitive prices, next day delivery and service to in excess of 12,000 existing customers around the world.
About RascomStar
RascomStar operates the first Pan-African geo-stationary satellite located at 2.9° East. As well as providing satellite capacity in C- and Ku-band across Africa, the company also deploys value-added services such as fixed and mobile rural telephony, VSAT services, Wi-Fi, GSM backhaul and TV broadcast.
PR Contacts
SatADSL
Caroline De Vos
Co-Founder & COO
+32 478 31 13 76
Caroline.devos@satadsl.net
and
Jayne Brooks
+44 1636 704 888
jayne.brooks@proactive-pr.com
Global Telecom
Laure Gathy
New Business Development Manager
+244 222 309 519
lgathy@globaltelesat.com
8 May 2018
Broadcasts from the BBC and VoA have been stopped in Burundi, two weeks before the country votes in a referendum that could see the president’s rule extended for over a decade. At the same time, Radio France Internationale has been warned against broadcasting remarks that are “untruthful and partisan”.
On 4 May, a statement was issued by the country’s media regulator, the National Communication Council, stating: “The international radios, ‘BBC London’ and ‘Voice of America ‘VOA’ have been suspended from broadcasting throughout the Burundi territory for six months starting on 7 May 2018 for breaching laws regulating the media and unethical conduct.”
“We are dismayed by the actions taken today by the Burundi National Communications Council to ban VOA from broadcasting its news and information programs,” said VOA director Amanda Bennett.
According to Human Rights Watch, Burundi enjoyed one of the most independent media environments in the region. When President Pierre Nkurunziza (pictured) – who has been in power since 2005 – announced his bid for a third term in 2015, there was a significant tightening of restrictions on the media. Today, the World Press Freedom Index ranks Burundi at position 159 of 180 countries in the press freedom index.
BBC World Service programmes have been carried on its local FM relays in Burundi until the crackdown: Bujumbura on 90.2MHz and Mount Manga on 105.6MHz. VoA also has two local FM relays in the country.
4 May 2018
The Association for International Broadcasting has published its latest member-exclusive Market Intelligence briefing.
Designed to keep members up-to-date with developments in media markets globally, this latest issue includes a media environment guide for Armenia, news about international channels setting up new operations and updates on the Association’s work on Brexit-related issues.
The briefing is supplied to AIB Members as one of the benefits of membership of the Association. Look at our Guide to Membership booklet to find out more about the international work of the AIB.
30 April 2018
Monday 30 April has been one of the deadliest days for journalists working in Afghanistan. Ten journalists were among dozens killed in multiple attacks across the country. News Agency AFP says that it is the worst days for the country’s media since 2001.
AFP reported that two suicide blasts in Kabul killed 25 people including Shah Marai, the agency’s chief photographer in Kabul, along with at least eight other journalists. Reporters Without Borders said this was the most lethal single attack on the media since the fall of the Taliban.
The attack, claimed by the Islamic State group, was condemned internationally by groups including the United Nations and the European Union, and spurred an outpouring of grief among Afghan journalists, many of whom took to Twitter to post tributes to colleagues and friends.
Journalists from Radio Free Europe and Afghan broadcasters Tolo News and 1TV were among those killed in Kabul.
AFP’s Marai – who was buried later Monday – joined the international news agency as a driver in 1996, the year the Taliban seized power, and began taking pictures on the side, covering stories including the US invasion in 2001.
In 2002 he became a full-time photo stringer, rising through the ranks to become chief photographer in the bureau. He leaves behind six children, including a newborn daughter.
“This is a devastating blow for the brave staff of our close-knit Kabul bureau and the entire agency,” said AFP Global News Director Michele Leridon, describing him as a “treasured colleague”.
“We can only honour the extraordinary strength, courage, and generosity of a photographer who covered often traumatic, horrific events with sensitivity and consummate professionalism,” Leridon said.
“We also send our condolences to the families of other journalists killed in this terrible attack.”
Jamie Angus, Director of BBC World Service, announced: “It is with great sadness that the BBC can confirm the death of BBC Afghan reporter Ahmad Shah following an attack earlier today. The attack took place in Khost province.
“Ahmad Shah was 29. He had worked for the BBC Afghan service for more than a year and had already established himself as a highly capable journalist who was a respected and popular member of the team.
“This is a devastating loss and I send my sincere condolences to Ahmad Shah’s friends and family and the whole BBC Afghan team. We are doing all we can to support his family at this very difficult time.”
Photo credits: AFP/BBC
