Christina Wayne joins MBC GROUP as MD of MBC STUDIOS

6 February 2023

Christina Wayne joins MBC GROUP as MD of MBC STUDIOS

MBC GROUP, the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announces the appointment of Christina Wayne as Managing Director of MBC STUDIOS.

MBC STUDIOS is the in-house premium content production arm of MBC GROUP, a media conglomerate that operates more than 17 free-to-air satellite TV channels, two radio stations, and Shahid – the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform – amongst other offerings.

In her new role, Wayne will continue MBC STUDIOS’ ongoing work in expanding the reach of its content to audiences around the world, leveraging the continuous trend for non-English-language television content to reach more global markets.

She takes over the role from former managing director, Peter Smith, who is moving on to pursue other ventures. He will, however, remain as an advisor to MBC GROUP.

Sam Barnett, Group CEO of MBC GROUP, stated: “We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming Christina Wayne to the role of Managing Director at MBC STUDIOS. Christina brings with her a wealth of international expertise in content development and production where she has worked across a multitude of territories and languages, and led on the development of Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series.

“We look forward to her building on the team’s successes as we continue to expand our horizons in international content even further.”

He continued: “Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude to Peter Smith for his invaluable contributions to the growth of MBC STUDIOS during his four-year tenure, spearheading the production of numerous flagships, including ‘Rashash’, ‘Rise of the Witches’, and ‘Devil’s Promise’. Peter departs with a solid and successful team with an exciting slate of projects.”

Newly appointed Wayne commented: “I am absolutely delighted to join MBC GROUP and MBC STUDIOS and have heard great things about the incredible team Peter and the rest of MBC have built. This is a very exciting venture for me, and I cannot wait to get fully involved in one of the world’s most exciting territories for content production.”

CAREER BACKGROUND

Prior to joining MBC STUDIOS, Wayne was the Principal Creative Executive and Head of Canada and Australia for Amazon Studios, a role she held since September 2019, and where she oversaw creative on scripted series across more than 20 countries.

She also presided over local original workshops across all territories, with a focus on interconnected series and formats.

A member of the Writers’ Guild of America since 1997, Wayne – who began her career in entertainment as a screenwriter and director – has also held positions with Assembly Entertainment, Cineflix Studios, and AMC. As senior vice-president of scripted series and miniseries for AMC, she shepherded the development and production on award-winning series including “Mad Men”, “Breaking Bad”, and “Broken Trail”.

[Source: MBC press release]

MBC GROUP expands anime partnerships to add titles to Shahid

1 December 2022

MBC GROUP expands anime partnerships to add titles to Shahid

Group has secured rights to various series, including TV Tokyo’s “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War,” the 52-episode Japanese anime television series based on the “Bleach” manga series by Tite Kubo

MBC GROUP – the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – has announced the expansion of its partnerships with key anime studios and production houses in Japan and beyond to bring more anime content to its streaming platform, Shahid.

At present, Shahid boasts hundreds of anime titles on its platform, including “Bleach”, “One Piece” “Attack on Titan”, “Tokyo Ghoul”, “Initial D”, “Gin Tama”, “Hunter x Hunter”, “Legend of the Galactic Heroes”, “Belle”, as well as the Japanese–Saudi Arabian animated action fantasy film, “The Journey”.

Building on these partnerships, MBC GROUP has secured exclusive rights in MENA to TV Tokyo’s “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War,” the 52-episode Japanese anime television series based on the “Bleach” manga series by Tite Kubo, and a direct sequel to the “Bleach” anime series. The title returns following an eight-year hiatus, is streaming on Shahid at the same time as Japan and the United States.

The entire box set of previously aired series’ of “Bleach” is also available on Shahid for streaming.

MBC GROUP has additionally extended a partnership with TOEI Animation to add more episodes of the renowned show, “ONE PIECE”, one of anime’s longest-running programmes, based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga series of the same name.

Following the success of the anime adaptation of “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai” on Shahid, MBC GROUP has also expanded on its partnership with its production company, Aniplex. The expansion will see the addition of more than 200 hours of Aniplex content on Shahid, including “Fate/Stay Night”, “Sword Art Online”, and “Gurren Lagann”.

Tareq Al-Ibrahim, Director of Content for SVOD at Shahid, commented: “Anime is extremely popular in the Middle East region – particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – so needless to say, we are incredibly excited to be making new additions to our ever-expanding anime catalogue on Shahid, bringing new and hit titles that audiences will love exploring.”

All titles mentioned above will be available on Shahid before the end of 2022.

Often aimed at adults, Anime refers to the wide range of Japanese animation that reflects multiple genres and features a distinctly recognisable visual aesthetic and storytelling approach.

Shahid is the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform by MBC GROUP.

[Source: MBC press release]

Shahid nearly doubles telecommunications operator partnerships in just 12 months

2 August 2022

Shahid nearly doubles telecommunications operator partnerships in just 12 months

Shahid – the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform (part of MBC GROUP) – has announced that it has nearly doubled its partnerships with telecommunications operators (telcos) in just one year. As a result, the number of user subscriptions for its premium offering, Shahid VIP purchased via mobile payment has more than doubled in just 12 months.

Since Shahid’s relaunch in 2020, the video on demand (VOD) and subscription video on demand (SVOD) platform has strengthened its distribution through telco partners in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), jumping from 17 by the end of 2020 to over 30 in 2021.

During that time, Shahid has expanded into territories including Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Iraq, and Palestine, enabling direct carrier billing (DCB) for users to be able to purchase Shahid VIP via their mobile device rather than through a credit card, for example.

EXPANSION & MORE PARTNERSHIPS

DCB is just one of multiple methods users across the region can now enjoy Shahid VIP. For example, Shahid has also actively expanded its distribution through special bundles with telco partners in the region, including with Stc KSA, Zain KSA, Zain Kuwait, Stc Bahrain, Vodafone Egypt, Ooredoo Qatar, Asiacell Iraq, and Omantel. Here, customers of these operators can enjoy complimentary Shahid VIP as part of select mobile and broadband service plans.

Additionally, Shahid has launched an exclusive mobile plan, Shahid VIP Mobile, allowing better offerings for those using a prepaid mobile plan. A budget-friendly single-device package available across MENA, Shahid VIP Mobile is aimed at entertainment fans who prefer to only stream their content on the go. Available for either a single smartphone or tablet device, this special plan was first launched with an introductory two-month trial offer with Orange Morocco and Tunisia in Q4 of 2021, generating significant subscriber uptake. Building on the successful launch with Orange, Shahid VIP Mobile has gone on to already launch with seven operators and is planning more launches in the future in more markets. Multiple telecommunications companies have shown interest in this introductory package as a strong fit for their low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) subscriber segment.

Natasha Matos-Hemingway, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Shahid commented: “We’re delighted with our telco partnerships so far, and we will continue to create more exciting partnerships to bring Shahid VIP’s outstanding content to more viewers across the region. To have more than doubled our Shahid VIP subscribers in 12 months via DCB alone is phenomenal.

“Thanks to the significant efforts made by the team and our partners, Shahid has launched new and relevant partnerships in key markets that allow users to access Shahid VIP in more ways. This is significant because we want our users to be able to choose from a number of payment methods based on their needs, such as the ease of subscribing through their telecommunications operator.

She continued: “As mobile networks strengthen and speeds get faster than ever in the MENA region, it also makes sense for us to expand on our exclusive Shahid VIP Mobile. Many consumers want an affordable way to watch premium content on the go, and we’ve met that need.”

MBC GROUP is the largest and leading media company in MENA.

[Source: MBC press release]

Premium content from MBC GROUP’s Shahid exclusively onboard Emirates’ ice

29 June 2022

Premium content from MBC GROUP’s Shahid exclusively onboard Emirates’ ice

Emirates partners with Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform, to offer premium content exclusively onboard its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice.

Shahid is part of MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

This partnership makes Emirates ice the only channel to offer access to highly popular titles by Shahid Originals, aside from the streaming service’s own premium-subscription online platform.

From July 2022, all Emirates customers can enjoy an extensive selection of over 135 hours of Shahid content from 15 shows with something to appeal to all members of the family. Programme subtitles also make the content accessible to an even bigger international audience onboard Emirates.

The newly added content from Shahid adds to the extensive collection of Arabic content already available on Emirates with over 420 channels of audio and 170 channels of films and TV shows.

In total, Emirates’ award-winning ice inflight entertainment system, with over 5,000 channels, offers an unmatched breadth of content in 40 languages to cater to its global customer base, with more than 4,000 hours of movies and TV, and close to 3,500 hours of music and podcasts.

Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Retail, IFE & Connectivity said: “We are excited to welcome the world’s leading Arabic streaming service content onboard – so passengers can catch up on all their favourite entertainment inflight, just as they do at home. We look forward to growing the partnership and making even more of their popular shows and movies available to our customers in the future.”

Natasha Matos-Hemingway, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer (VOD) at MBC GROUP added: “We are extremely proud to partner with Emirates, an award-winning airline who, like us, is always striving to give the best to their customers. Emirates is our first airline partner, and their global footprint enables us to reach viewers from many new markets and broaden the reach of our shows and brand – there is no better match for our ambitions.

“We are excited to offer Shahid’s content for Emirates’ customers to enjoy, just in time for the busiest travel season of the year.”

Shahid’s biggest original production Rashash, which has been hugely popular in the Arab region, will be streamed for the first time by an airline on-board Emirates. In addition, Emirates customers can enjoy a broad range of exclusive Shahid Original titles and other hit MBC GROUP titles including: Anbar 6, Hell’s Gate, Dor Al Omor, Nemra Etnein, Al Shak, Al Jedar Al Rabea, Rahn El Tahqiq, 2020, Bi Saraha Ma’a, Dofa’at Beirut, Aghani Min Hayati, Kaf w Dafoof, and Salon Zahra. Content originates from territories including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Kuwait, Egypt, and Lebanon.

In addition to entertainment, Emirates ice offers a range of other practical features, such as checking the status of the flight while en route; a real-time view of the sky during take-off and landing from cameras that are fixed on the aircraft’s nose, tail and underbelly; a helpful travel guide about Emirates’ hub Dubai; EmiratesRED; the world’s first inflight TV shopping channel; and a range of personal development content including LinkedIn Learning.

Prior to their flight, Emirates customers can browse through over 5,000 channels of on-demand movies, music, TV shows, box sets, and documentaries, and create their very own playlist on The Emirates Mobile App, and sync it on board for a more personalised travel experience.

For more information, visit Emirates/inflight-entertainment

[Source: MBC press release]

“Joelle Unfiltered”, the MENA region’s first reality TV show on Shahid VIP

9 February 2022

“Joelle Unfiltered”, the MENA region’s first reality TV show on Shahid VIP

Shahid VIP – the world’s leading Arabic SVOD streaming platform, and part of MBC GROUP – announces the arrival of the region’s very first reality TV show by Shahid Originals.

“Joelle Unfiltered” – starring Joelle Mardinian – is set to offer viewers a no holds barred look into the life of the star TV presenter and beauty mogul. Promising an insight into her life like never before, “Joelle Unfiltered” will showcase many aspects of Mardinian’s life, including her blended family, demanding career, very personal moments, and the challenges involved in juggling her business empire.

And to celebrate the programme’s debut this month, Shahid VIP hosted a special preview and press conference at DREAM restaurant in Dubai, that gathered Mardinian and her family alongside the region’s press, and influencers.

COMPLETELY UNFILTERED

Discussing the show, Mardinian told the audience that she would describe “Joelle Unfiltered” as an edutainment show, stating: “First, there’s the professional aspect, of which the show offers a focus on what it takes to run successful businesses – including how to establish, launch, and manage small ventures, investments, and larger commercial projects – while balancing fame and the social media aspect. Viewers will get to see all the massive challenges involved in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors, and just what really goes into it.”

“Joelle Unfiltered” will include snippets of her blended family – providing an example of how families can successfully manage co-parenting and shedding light on her journey with adopting her youngest son. The show will take viewers to several locations as well – including Dubai, London, and the Maldives – and will also offer an insight into personal moments, such as Mardinian’s fears, sorrows, anxieties, success and more.

She continued: “While it is ‘unfiltered’ I am keen to point out that it also remains in line with the values and traditions of our society. The unfiltered aspect relates to showcasing the realities of my life – balancing motherhood and family with career, the fame, and my journey – it’s not all glitz and glamour as people may initially think.

“MBC GROUP has forever been a pioneer in unrivalled family entertainment, and I cannot wait for everyone to check out the show on Shahid VIP.”

ONE OF TV’S BIGGEST STARS

With nearly 18.5 million followers on Instagram alone, Mardinian is one of the Arab world’s biggest TV stars, having graced MBC’s channels with a number of lifestyle shows for over ten years now.

She’s also a successful businesswoman, known for Joelle Group, a leading beauty multi-conglomerate that includes Maison de Joelle, Clinica Joelle, and Joelle Paris.

Offering a final note on her upcoming reality show, Mardinian said: “I hope it inspires viewers and encourages them to chase their dreams and be creative. I hope it showcases how women can be empowered through their career, family support, and important partnerships and relationships.

“And as I have mentioned earlier, don’t be fooled by the glamour of it all… Of course, there are lots of highlights, but life does not just comprise happiness and luxury, and I am keen to showcase the reality of this lifestyle.

“Success definitely does not arrive overnight – there has been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears – stress, fatigue, plenty of late nights, and so much more. This is a 360-degree view of my life.”

“Joelle Unfiltered” has been in the making for 4 years, and debuts on Shahid VIP on 14 February 2022.

Shahid and Shahid VIP are part of MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media company in the MENA region.

[Source: Shahid press release]