8 October 2014
Media content distribution and IPTV specialists, Vision247, has teamed up with major distributor of leading international TV channels, Mondo Globo to deliver MBC Group and Arabia One channels in Europe via Samsung Smart TVs and connected Blu-ray players.
Ex-pat communities residing in Europe can now watch their favourite Arabic channels, through Vision247’s online video platform and a dedicated TV app. Arabia One channels can be streamed live to any living room in Europe. To access these channels, viewers download the Arabia One app from the Samsung TV app portal.
With Arabia One providing a wide range of Arabic, Middle Eastern and North African-speaking TV channels, owners of Samsung Smart TVs and connected Blu-ray players can watch everything from general entertainment (MBC, MBC Masr, Al Jadeed, LBC Europe), kids programmes (MBC 3) and drama (MBC Drama and Panorama Drama) through to catching the latest movies on Panorama Films and music videos (Mazzika).
Petra Oblak, CEO, Vision247 says “Smart TV apps are proving a cost-effective format to deliver content to audiences across the globe. Through our video technology we can provide broadcasters and content distributors, like Mondo Globo, with the necessary platform to reach and engage new viewers with the content they want to see.”
Petra continues, “There are several million Arab-speaking people living in Europe and those who own a Samsung Smart TV or web-connected Blu-ray player can enjoy watching a wide-range of popular channels, programmes and movies, so they can still feel connected.”
Shady Hamzeh, President, Mondo Globo, says “Our aim is to provide the Arabic community in Europe with their favourite MBC Channels in easy ways, and now they can follow their favourite programs on Samsung Smart TVs or connected devices anywhere in Europe. We are very proud to be working closely with Vision247 on this project.” (Source: Vision 247 press release)
25 September 2013
In its mission of focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as one of the Group’s core values through “MBC Hope”, MBC Group has recently launched “Doing Good” initiative which aims at nurturing, empowering, strengthening and fostering creativity among the Arab youth. This annual initiative will provide young individuals in the region with the opportunity to showcase their positive contributions towards their communities via spreading virtuousness and integrity among their societies.
The initiative will empower youth of different ages to participate and bring forward their best creative ideas to undertake all sorts of goodwill activities while demonstrating their ongoing commitment to helping others.
Youth are invited to participate in the “Doing Good” initiative by uploading their videos, studies, research papers, projects, etc. on www.mbc.net/alamal and entering them into one of the following 4 categories:
– “Humanitarian Issues”: Such as Poverty, Education, Health and Prevention, Helping the needy, etc.
– “Social entrepreneurship and Start-Up companies”: Includes commercial and industrial small projects with a good and positive return on society.
– “Creativity and Innovation”: Production of short movies/films that highlight positive “individual achievements” and “entrepreneurship” in favor of the society.
– “Environment”: Such as the development and implementation of small local projects involved in recycling, water preservation, sustainable energy, waste reduction, etc.
The deadline for submitting entries for “Doing Good” initiative is 31st of October 2013. Once submitted, all entries, projects, research, etc. will be studied and analyzed in details by a specialized judging panel (to be announced at a later stage). A winner from each category will then be chosen and all winning projects (total of 4) will be highlighted and communicated on all of MBC Group’s Platforms to monitor the progress of the projects, while also further empowering and encouraging the youth behind it. (Source: MBC press release)
10 September 2012
In a strategic partnership between MBC Group and X-Management LLC, the parent company of the region’s leading Mixed Martial Arts organization, Desert Force, have united to bring the first Arab Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Grand Prix to the Middle East. The championship kicked-on Friday 7th of September in an action-packed fight that signaled the start of the Championship.
Desert Force MMA Championship is the first Middle Eastern Platform for aspiring MMA athletes to face-off regional and international fighters or the title of Middle East Desert Force Champion. The event aims to promote Arab mixed martial artists by providing them with the opportunity to showcase their skills on a regional and global level. The championship will be aired on MBC Action, the only Channel in the Middle East dedicated to young Arab males, while recently focusing on home grown productions, such as this.
Commenting on the partnership, Ali Jaber, Group TV Director, MBC Group said: “We have seen a steady increase in the popularity of action-packed shows within this category on MBC Action; and our offering of the latest in high-octane Western shows was enjoyed by the young Arab youth for many years. However, and considering the Channel’s recent shift to homegrown productions, we have decided to partner with Desert Force MMA to meet our viewers’ expectations, through the region’s first-ever MMA Grand Prix.”
The Championship will host an initial series of four events per year; based on a knock-out structure, called the Grand Prix. Fighters, coming from across the Arab World will compete in 5 weight classes, namely Featherweights, Lightweights, Welterweights, Middleweights and Light-Heavyweights. Each class will enforce the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts and see a total of 8 qualifiers competing against each other. Participating countries include Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and the UAE.
From his end, Zaid Mirza, Chairman and CEO of X-Management LLC said: “Our partnership with MBC Action adds a lot of weight for the expansion of the world’s fastest growing sport in the Middle East. We work closely together to revolutionize MMA in the region, and discover the best of Arab MMA talents, and ultimately promote them on a wider Global level. After the nation-wide success of the first fight, we now look forward to sharing it across the Middle East through MBC Action”.
The first event took place in the Orthodox Club in Amman, Jordan, on Friday, September 7th 2012, and will be aired on MBC Action on September 17th at 22:00KSA.
It is worth noting that Desert Force inaugural event was held on December 8th, 2010 in Amman, Jordan. In 2011, Desert Force launched the “Elimination Series”, a single-elimination tournament for Arab MMA fighters competing to become the first regional MMA title belts holders in 5 respective weight classes.
23 May 2012
MBC Group recently announced the establishment of “MBC Ventures”, investing in start-ups related to “Media & Entertainment” in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region.
Building on the growth of multimedia, online gaming and digital, and linked to the youth’s great consumption of broadband & mobile connectivity and internet access in the MENA region; “MBC Ventures” decided to tap into this industry and support the largest growing population in the region with their innovative projects. Positioned as a Phase Seed- Round A funding arm, MBC Ventures’ objective will be to invest in local talents and will further nurture individuals who will acquire global “best practices” and lead the future of this industry. In retrospect, those individuals will ultimately benefit from the Groups’ offering and access to its multi platforms, be it onscreen, online, in print or even on ground.
As a start, “MBC Ventures” partnered with Falafel Games (www.falafel-games.com), a Massive Multiplayer Online game producer operating from the Middle East and China. Falafel Games has launched “Knights of Glory” فرسان المجد (www.forsangame.com), the first Arabic MMOSG (Massive Multiplayer Online Strategy Game) inspired by the Arab Conquests. Falafel Games is led by Vince Ghossoub and Radwan Kasmiya. Vince is uniquely positioned in the nexus of Chinese tech innovation and Middle Eastern culture while Radwan is the pioneering game creator in the Middle East, having created the first video game and CG animation there, and bestsellers such as “Under Ash” تحت الرماد, the first “First Person Shooter” video game in the Middle East, “Quraish” قريش (Real-Time Strategy), “Under Siege” تحت الحصار, “Road to Jerusalem” الطريق الى القدس, among many others.
The second venture is “Aranim Games”, a social & mobile game developer based in Jordan creating social games inspired by Arabic & Middle eastern mythologies. Aranim Games was founded by Suleiman Bakhit, a TED fellow, best-selling comic book creator and games producer with a passion for creating characters and stories richly inspired by Arabic tradition, Suleiman is committed to providing the youth with inspiring role models and bring positive change to the Middle East through creative media.
The third investment, “SuperMama.me”, is the first online parenting community and portal in the Arab World that was launched in October 2011 and based in Egypt. It provides trusted parenting information verified by specialists in different fields, in both Arabic and English.
It is headed and run by Yasmine El-Mehairy and Zeinab Samir who have won numerous competitions including, first place at NexGen completion; first place at Arabnet Startup Demo in Cairo; first place at eNnovation in Poland, and among the 20 finalists at Google, Cairo.
16 May 2012
Yesterday has marked the beginning of the all new events management arm of MBC Group, EVENTIQUE. The region’s leading free-to-air satellite broadcasting company has launched an exclusive all-service boutique agency that designs weddings and events of a luxurious caliber.
The press conference took place at EVENTIQUE’s one of a kind boutique villa located in Knowledge Village, Dubai, making it the first events management agency to have a specialized boutique that displays all the finest details in event management.
Explaining the concept of the new company, Heba Rumhein, EVENTIQUE’s Director said: “EVENTIQUE is an exclusive bespoke events management agency that offers premium services customized to our clients’ every need. Bringing boundless passion and distinct style to each event, we flawlessly transform the dreams of our clients into lavish celebrations, regardless of scale”.
“With years of experience and expertise, our team prides itself with living the luxury lifestyle firsthand, therefore connecting with our clients on every level. The team is comprised of talented stage designers, production specialists and experienced planners who come together to create just the perfect combination for success!” elaborated Rumhein.
EVENTIQUE is yet another subsidiary under the MBC Group and operates as one. Commenting on its connection with the Group, Heba says, “We are very proud to be part of the leading broadcasting network in the Middle East. This is great news for our clients as well, since this means they will gain direct access to premium media, valuable PR exposure and extensive coverage of their events across the region.”
EVENTIQUE specializes in Event Design and execution from concept creations, to theme development, floor plan and stage design, flower arrangements and lighting designs, all the way to the design and building of tents, caterers’ selection, invitations and wedding favors, entertainment and photography & video services. The company also offers event management consultancy which includes venue research and recommendations, contract negotiations and on-site management and coordination of the entire event, all the way through to offering a complete event program with timelines, creating a projected budget and managing all the event expenditure.
EVENTIQUE is located in Knowledge Village, Boutique Offices, Villa 19
www.mbc.net
