MBC Group is strategic partner for Red Sea International Film Festival

MBC Group is strategic partner for Red Sea International Film Festival

7 December 2021

MBC Group is strategic partner for Red Sea International Film Festival

The Red Sea International Film Festival announces MBC GROUP – the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – as festival partner. This partnership is considered highly valuable to the Red Sea International Film Festival – which celebrates its inaugural edition this December – given the unprecedented scale of this cinematic event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab world.

Part of the partnership with MBC GROUP will involve elevating and publicising the accomplishments of the Red Sea International Film Festival, taking place in Jeddah. This includes broadcasting the festival’s activities, as well as assisting the festival in inviting local talent to participate in MBC’s special “Talent Days” workshop.

The strategic partnership also extends to films, with several MBC STUDIOS productions debuting or being showcased at the festival. They include two titles being presented in the “New Saudi Cinema” category: “Kayan” by Hakim Jomah, “Route Ten” by Omar Naim, as well as “Rupture” by Hamzah Jamjoom competing in the Red Sea Competition.  

Furthermore, “Becoming”, a film produced by the Red Sea International Film Festival, which will premiere at the event on 8 December 2021, will be available to stream on Shahid VIP – MBC GROUP’s leading SVOD streaming platform – in the MENA region immediately after the festival. The premiere of “Becoming” coincides with an important festival event dedicated to celebrating women’s empowerment.

In terms of mentorship and training, the Red Sea International Film Festival’s “Talent Days” programme, taking place 12-12 December in partnership with MBC GROUP, is designed for emerging and amateur filmmakers, scriptwriters, and producers in the region. Featuring workshops, keynote speeches, and panel discussions on a wide range of topics relating to the film industry, the programme offers the opportunity for up-and-coming talent to learn from leading local, regional, and international experts, as well as set new benchmarks for the film industry in KSA.

During the programme, Shahid will be awarding a cash prize of $100,000 to a Saudi project in development or in production, which will result in the winning title being exhibited across the MENA region.

Jana Yamani, Executive Director of MBC Academy, MBC Talent and MBC Al Amal stated: “MBC GROUP and the Red Sea International Film Festival share a unified vision for the region’s youth in media and film production. This generation of young talent consists of ambitious changemakers who seek, not only to create change and make an impact, but redefine the region’s media and entertainment content landscape.”

She continued: “We believe that our partnership with the festival creates a synergy that ultimately develops and showcases the level of talent and creativity our Saudi youth possesses. Being the first Saudi cinematic celebration of its kind, the Red Sea International Film Festival provides a unique platform for young talent to make their mark on the Arab World and beyond. It is our mission to ensure that their capabilities are shown across the world.”

Shivani Pandiya Malhotra, Managing Director at the Red Sea International Film Festival, commented on this momentous partnership: “It is our honour to collaborate with the media giant, MBC GROUP as our festival partner. As the pioneering media company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region, MBC’s expertise and perceptions are extremely valuable to us, our talents, and our guests.

“Our purpose at the Red Sea International Film Festival is to empower the youth and provide Saudi talent with a platform and creative outlet for storytelling. With MBC’s contribution to the festival, our efforts are amplified – the festival aims to promote cross-cultural exchange and foster the growth of the Arab film industry. Alongside our partner MBC, with its wide reach across the region, the festival is set to position the Kingdom as a contributor to the international film industry, whilst creating and delivering a world-class event for the people of the nation.”

[Source: MBC press office]

Shahid VIP streaming offer for Ramadan

Shahid VIP streaming offer for Ramadan

3 March 2021

Shahid VIP streaming offer for Ramadan

Shahid VIP – the premium, subscription-based service of Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform – announces the rollout of its exclusive and special programming for Ramadan 2021.

Under the slogan of “Ramadan Ma’ana”, or “Ramadan with Us” in English, Shahid VIP is the go-to platform for the month, as it is to feature the biggest acting, performing, and presenting stars from the Gulf and the rest of the Middle East and North Africa region through a variety of genres. They include drama to comedy; action, thrillers and suspense; lifestyle and social content; TV game shows and competitions; general entertainment, and more.

In fact, it is the first time that more than 40 new Arabic titles will be shown on a single platform during the holy month – all of which can be viewed without ad breaks. Titles range from “exclusive-to-Shahid VIP” programmes, to special “before TV” previews, meaning a programme’s episode will be available to watch on Shahid VIP before any other TV channel or platform.

CONTENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – ANYTIME & ANYWHERE

With Shahid VIP, users are able to watch what they want, when they want – from any screen they prefer, whether TV, smartphone or computer. It offers a fully portable entertainment experience for the whole family no matter where they are.

With special child-friendly Ramadan content also coming up, parents can take comfort in knowing that younger viewers get to watch content made just for them.

RAMADAN 2021: FIRST LOOK

With more titles and information to be announced in the coming weeks, here’s an exclusive first-look at what’s coming up on Shahid VIP:

  • From the Gulf: Titles featuring Nasser Al-Qasabi, Hayat Al-Fahd, Huda Hussein, Elham Alfadalah, Faisal Al-Issa… and many more.
  • From Egypt: Titles featuring Yehia El-Fakharany, Mohamed Ramadan, Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ahmed Mekki, Yasser Galal, Amr Youssef, Mohamed Emam, Ghada Abdel Razek, Yasmine Abdel Aziz, Hend Sabry, Amina Khalil… and many more.
  • From the rest of the region, including the Maghreb and Levant: Titles featuring Qusai Khouli, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Salloum Haddad, Bassam Kousa, Mohamed Khouyi… and many more.

 

Part of MBC GROUP, Shahid is home to highly rated original productions from the Arab world, a wide range of exclusive movies and premieres, as well as the top watched live Arab TV channels.

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

[Source: Shahid]

MBC Group in world’s Top 20 media companies with 2.5bn social video views in 4/2020

MBC Group in world’s Top 20 media companies with 2.5bn social video views in 4/2020

20 May 2020

MBC Group in world’s Top 20 media companies with 2.5bn social video views in 4/2020

Achieving yet another milestone, MBC Group has entered the Top 20 leaderboard for social media video views, as per Tubular Labs’ latest released results for the month of April 2020.

According to the just released report, MBC Group has achieved significant growth compared to the month of March 2020, jumping 13 positions, from number 32 to number 19 on the leaderboard for global media and entertainment entities. Tubular Labs’ top 5 currently comprises: The Walt Disney Company, ViacomCBS, Comcast, WarnerMedia and TheSoul Publishing. 

Over the month of April 2020, MBC Group in the Middle East achieved a total of 2.5 billion social video views, compared to 1.6 billion views in March 2020 – resulting in a month-on-month (MOM) growth of +58%.

As per April’s Tubular Labs result, MBC Group has seen a video view growth in each tracked platform:

  • YouTube: Views growth of +37.5%
  • Facebook: +76.6%
  • Instagram: +94.8%
  • Twitter: +53.8%

 

The mentioned total viewing figure for the month of April does not include the other considerable ones registered by MBC on both Snapchat and TikTok, platforms which are not tracked by Tubular Labs

Clearly, growth rates reflect the peak season and a few days sample of the strong performance of MBC TV channels in the Middle East during the holy month of Ramadan with, for example, over 50% audience share achieved in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, coupled with on-going audience leadership in the Gulf (GCC), North Africa (Egypt) and other key markets.

Tubular Labs is the leading global video measurement and analytics platform that powers broadcasters, publishers, and brands to create successful content and scale audiences faster. Its software tracks over 4 billion videos, 1 trillion views, 10 million influencers, 90K brands, 40K media, and 48 billion sponsored video views, with data gathered from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

It’s worth noting that in 2019, the group was the 37th top media company among 3,200 around the world – and number one in the Middle East – for digital video, as per the annual VideoAces Awards by Tubular Labs.

Figures can be found publicly via the web page: tubularlabs.com/property/712/MBC-Group?tab=summary

(Source: MBC press release)

“It’s Our Time” – MBC Group propels Shahid to new heights

“It’s Our Time” – MBC Group propels Shahid to new heights

16 January 2020

“It’s Our Time” – MBC Group propels Shahid to new heights

Celebrating a fresh era in digital entertainment, MBC Group has unveiled the all-new version of its video on demand (VOD) service, Shahid.

The unveiling took place this evening as part of an exclusive event held at the Dubai Opera in Downtown Dubai, attended by HH Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; HE Turki Alshabanah Saudi Minister of Media; MBC Group Chairman, Waleed Al-Ibrahim, MBC Group General Manager Ali Al-Hedeithy, newly appointed CEO, Marc Antoine d’Halluin; and top business decisionmakers, VIPs and celebrities from the world of entertainment and Arab media.

Shahid’s brand new slogan: “It’s Our Time” took centre stage, illuminating the emirate’s iconic Burj Khalifa tower.

In his opening speech, MBC Group Chairman Al-Ibrahim commented: “The social and economic reforms currently being witnessed by my home country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – ones that are being spearheaded by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – is something we have always dreamed of. It gives me great pride to witness this dream being finally realised. Today, it is almost apt that we face a new start for our Group, albeit with a difference in objectives.

“But here is where we will begin. As we look ahead, we strive to take control of our own narratives, showcasing our stories to the rest of the world through the very best in original films, series, and other media content, produced and marketed via MBC Studios,” he continued.

“Secondly, we’re immensely proud to provide the region with an advanced digital platform that is on par with the best in the world. Shahid is a global brand that is worth watching.”

“And of course, we are leveraging the pivotal moment the Kingdom is currently witnessing, which includes expanding on the local and regional media content industry – and fostering the talent that will enable us to do so,” Al-Ibrahim stated. “At MBC Group, we are going to continue to provide the best media experience in the entire region; engineering ideas and uniting the very best in creative talent. It’s our time.”

INCREASING FOURFOLD

On his part, MBC Group CEO Marc Antoine d’Halluin demonstrated figures from the track-record of the company over the past decade, stating: “During the past ten years, MBC has acquired and produced approximately 46,000 hours of Arabic-language entertainment content, valued at an estimated $1.3 billion. This is broken down into 26,000 hours of media, entertainment and other content, plus 20,000 hours of television series, which includes about 600 dramas.”

D’Halluin continued: “Over the next two years, we aim to substantially increase the size of our investment into drama productions, thus increasing them fourfold, of which the majority will be original and exclusive content. Shahid will certainly benefit from MBC’s proven experience in investment and growth to provide the best and most diverse international digital media experience in the region.”

A DIVERSE OFFERING

With Shahid witnessing a surge in popularity, Johannes Larcher, Managing Director, Digital & VOD at MBC Group stressed that the platform outperforms all regional players in the digital entertainment sector today. Larcher highlighted several factors that distinguish the all-new Shahid’s offering – including premium quality of content, diversity of content, as well as additional content via regional and global partnerships – providing a unique service and premiere digital viewing experience for users in the Middle East region and beyond.

 

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW SHAHID:

SHAHID PREMIERES & SHAHID ORIGINALS

Shahid PREMIERES will focus on first-look exclusives from the world of cinema and television, as some new series will, from now on, start their lifecycle on Shahid even before MBC channels.

Shahid ORIGINALS, meanwhile, will focus on a variety of local and regional productions, set to include long-form content such as drama series, as well as short-from content, which both will be fully exclusively featured on Shahid.

Several Middle Eastern stars appearing in Shahid’s upcoming brand-new content were in attendance during the launch event at the Dubai Opera.

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GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND A SPECIAL OFFER “FOR LIFE”

Partnering up with Shahid are the global entertainment companies DISNEY and FOX, providing around 3,000 hours of quality family entertainment. Also announced was a partnership with global music streaming platform SPOTIFY.

Naturally, MBC’s top-rated channels are included in the brand-new Shahid, which include nine HD channels, streamed live, as well as a catch-up service.

To celebrate the launch of the all-new platform, users can take advantage of a special introductory subscription offer (promotion period runs until February 29, 2020) consisting of a discount of up to 70% off the Shahid VIP subscription value, valid until the subscriber decides to cancel, or “for life”.

MBC Group’s VOD platform SHAHID introduces first original production ‘ElDiva’

MBC Group’s VOD platform SHAHID introduces first original production ‘ElDiva’

22 November 2019

MBC Group’s Video On Demand (VOD) platform, SHAHID has announced the launch of its first-ever original production. Titled ‘ElDiva’, the drama series stars the superstar Cyrine Abdel Nour in the lead role, alongside actor Yacob Alfarhan, and the Egyptian folk singer and actress, Bosy. The production is expected to launch on SHAHID on 27 November.

The title was launched in a press preview evening attended by the stars of the show. During the preview, Abdel Nour expressed her joy at being involved in the project, touching upon how it is a “natural progression” for her journey with MBC, following on from her critically-acclaimed drama, ‘Ruby’ that was first aired in 2012, up to last Ramadan’s ‘Al Hayba: Al Hasad’, released in May of this year.

‘ElDiva’ marks a shift in traditional drama productions, inspired by real events and fiction; complemented by the experiences of MBC’s producers involved in producing various talent-spotting TV shows.

Alex Meouchy, MBC’s Senior Regional Manager of Content commented: “We have produced a large number of Arabic adaptations of global, top-rated talent-spotting TV shows. During work on these productions, the entire team encounter numerous situations that would be absolutely fascinating to watch as a fictional drama.” Meouchy concluded: “Viewers always want to know what happens when the cameras are turned off, and so this is how the idea of ‘ElDiva’ came about. Subsequently, SHAHID decided to introduce ’ElDiva’ as its first SHAHID ORIGINAL.”

Johannes Larcher, Managing Director, SHAHID said: “MBC was the first major media company in the region to launch a VOD platform. Year after year, it continues to cement its status as a leader in this vital sector. The launch of SHAHID’s first short-form original is in-line with the Group’s extensive five-year growth and expansion plan. Multinational drama productions are more popular than ever – and the best quality they have ever been – thanks to the introduction and growth of global digital platforms and VOD. Nearly all the international giants of entertainment have turned or are turning their attention to this type of ‘digital first’ content.Today, we launch our first title of short-form SHAHID ORIGINALS – and this is just the beginning. We promise viewers more premium content and quality productions with diverse storytelling in the coming period.”

Directed by Randa Alam, ‘ElDiva’ is a multinational production, with Lebanese and Egyptian scriptwriters involved in the creation of the story: Sarah Faraj, Hind Radwan, Sama Abdel Khalek, Engi Al-Qasim and Jad Khoury. Joining Cyrine Abdel Nour, Yacob Alfarhan and Bosy in the cast are Mahira Abdel Aziz, Wissam Fares, Dory Samarani, Stephanie Attalah, and Nibal Arakji.

Sponsors of ‘ElDiva’ include GMC (General Motors Overseas Distribution LLC); Mars (Mars GCC FZE); Samsung (Samsung Gulf Electronics), and Unilever (Unilever General Trading LLC & BINZAGR UNILEVER LTD).

[Source: MBC press release]