18 minute read
NEWS
CNBC Arabia picks Pebble for playout
Dubai-based broadcaster CNBC Arabia has selected a Pebble Automation and Integrated Channel solution to handle the playout of its 24-hour channel.
Working with channel partner Qvest, following a comprehensive demo delivered on-site as well as in-depth technical discussions outlining their specific requirements, Pebble provided a tailored solution to work cohesively with its current workflows, making efficiencies where necessary to streamline operations. The solution, similar to those Pebble has already delivered for sister CNBC companies around the world, offers operational flexibility, a high level of redundancy and best-of-breed graphics for complex live news items and breaking news specials.
“Our solutions control more than 400 channels across 17 countries at around 70 sites in the Middle East,” said Samir Isbaih, Pebble’s VP Sales, Middle East and APAC. “Pebble has market leading solutions that are flexible, robust and secure. Together with Qvest, we were able to demonstrate this effectively with bespoke demonstrations and existing use cases, and we’re proud to have provided expert support for CNBC Arabia, helping them find a bespoke solution that suited their requirements. I am thrilled that they are the latest addition to our international customer base.”
Qvest GM Ahmad Hadi Al Kayal noted that the “partnership with Pebble … resulted in successfully designing a key project” for CNBC Arabia.
Shabbir Hussain, Director of Operations & Engineering, added: “Pebble was a perfect fit for upgrading our playout solution. Their team carefully listened to all our existing operation workflows and new requirements, and tailored the solution to cater to our needs. We were confident that Pebble was and is the right choice, knowing they have delivered many projects globally and at our sister CNBC channels.”
Director of Finance and HR at CNBC Arabia Subimol George added: “We’re very happy with the Pebble solutions ordered. Both Pebble and Qvest were the expert partners we were looking for to transform our playout solutions.”
From left: Samir Isbaih from Pebble with Shabbir Hussain at CNBC Arabia.
Arab Telemedia Group chooses Vectorbox for new launches
Arab Telemedia Group has deployed a new state-ofthe-art digital broadcast solution from Vectorbox. As part of ATG’s plan to launch multiple channels with a variety of Arabic content, the new solution will enable the broadcast of live or satellite channels, as well as VOD platforms. For decades, Arab Telemedia Group has produced premium Arabic content for a wide fan base, adding broadcast and streaming to its mission of advancing with speed with the ever-growing market and technology of the entertainment industry.
Subsidiary Arab Telemedia Networks has completed the technical installation of the Vectorbox playout system, aiming to advance the launch of its new channels and platforms. The activation of the system will ensure the upgrade of the broadcasting environment and production to provide outstanding content to the various Arab Telemedia channels, including the free channels of YouTube, programmed broadcast channels, live broadcasting channels and the Hekaya VOD platform.
The new technology will support a faster, more reliable way of communicating with the content creators and providing their content in both live and on-demand frameworks. This is to ensure an intuitive and seamless user experience, as well as transparent and protective treatment with global content owners and distributors.
This is part of the Group’s plan to make its huge library of series and movies accessible to the world audience, while ensuring industry standards are met and the content is the highest quality. ATG CEO and Producer Talal Al-Awamleh commented that “the company is keen on keeping up with the latest digital technology” so as to ensure keeping the bar high for products it delivers to the public.
Rotana Media Group renews contract with Arabsat for another three years
Saudi media network Rotana Group, which runs the majority of its broadcast technical operations from its headquarters in Egypt, has renewed its long-standing strategic partnership with Arabsat for another three years. This will see Arabsat carry all of Rotana’s 14 HD channels exclusively, while eight SD channels will be carried on a non-exclusive basis. Rotana has 26 channels, of which four are encrypted and also available on other platforms.
The agreement was signed between Eng Alhamedi Alanezi, newly appointed CEO of Arabsat, and Dr Walid Arab Hashem, CEO and Vice President of the Rotana Group, at CABSAT this year. Rotana has taken two transponders from Arabsat, one of which carries its HD channels and the other its SD channels. This new deal will also see Rotana extending interactivity for HD and SD channels through Arabsat.
“We have embedded HPPTV interactivity transmission only on Arabsat, as well as added ad replacement features,” Dr Naser Refaat, CTO of Rotana Media Group, told BroadcastPro ME. “All FAST (ad replacement/DAI) features will be available, allowing us to replace ads based on territory and content. Moreover, HbbTV gives us the edge in monitoring our programming grids and testing the performance of our content for each channel in real time. It will allow us to monetise this through interactive pop-up ads, and opens a new interactive dimension in the satellite distribution space.”
In other news, Arabsat also announced a contract with Thales Alenia Space to build Arabsat-7A, a fully flexible software-defined satellite (SDS) based on the Space Inspire platform, which will enable seamless telecom mission and services reconfiguration of the new satellite, instant in-orbit adjustment to broadband connectivity demand, and superior video broadcasting performance.
From left: Eng Alhamedi Alanezi, CEO of Arabsat, and Dr Walid Arab Hashem, CEO of Rotana Group.
GTV Media Group welcomes director Gerry Blaksley
Gerry Blaksley.
Dubai-based director Gerry Blaksley, known for his work on Jetman, Fittest in Dubai and We’re on Top of the World for Emirates, has joined GTV Media Group as Creative Director. Blaksley has received global recognition for promoting Dubai as one of the top destinations in the world. He has worked with numerous celebrities including Will Smith, Tom Cruise and Lionel Messi, as well as with global brands such as Paramount, Mercedes, Red Bull and Sony, for whom he is an ambassador.
“Gerry is a fantastic addition to our team of producers and editors, and we are already discussing first projects with our clients in the UAE and Saudi Arabia,” commented GTV CEO Tewe Pannier.
SynProNize acquires two Arabic drama series for Africa and Asia
SynProNize has acquired two premium television series: Al Ekhwa (aka The Siblings), which will be licensed into Ghana, and Haramlek (aka Seraglio), which will be licensed into Bangladesh.
In Al Ikhwa, events revolve around five brothers who inherit their father’s estate after his death. Haramlek, by comparison, is a period drama.
Hasnaa Descuns, SynProNize co-founder, said: “SynProNize has believed very strongly in the potential of Arabic content to travel to and be monetised in various countries. Our clients and their audiences who have sampled Arabic content have come back wanting more, which is why we shall continue our acquisition of content from the Middle Eastern markets and partner with production houses from the region to maximise returns from their content.”
Haramlek is a period drama.
Introducing ATEM Constellation HD Introducing ATEM Constellation HD
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Standards Converted 3G-SDI Inputs! Standards Converted 3G-SDI Inputs!
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Broadcast Transitions, DVE, Stingers and More! Broadcast Transitions, DVE, Stingers and More!
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MAD Solutions expands into US with stake in D Street Releasing
MAD Solutions has extended the global reach of its theatrical distribution operations for Arab cinema after assuming an equity ownership stake in revived New York City arthouse distributor D Street Releasing. Under the new partnership, MAD Solutions intends to release five to seven films each year by top-notch storytellers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Arabic-speaking countries to North American audiences.
D Street Releasing, largely dormant in recent years, is a division of D Street Media Group, a production, distribution and music publishing company with affiliate operations in the US, Germany, Ecuador, Argentina and South Africa.
MAD co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab met D Street founding CEO Dexter Davis and partner Silvana Santamaria at last year’s inaugural Red Sea International film festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and discussed bringing greater attention to stories from the Arab-speaking world and Africa to North America.
Davis said: “After taking a break from the theatrical distribution business, I’m extremely excited about this reboot with visionary partners Alaa and Maher, who both bring with them a wealth of regional experience, creative connections and marketing knowledge to the company. This historic partnership will give US audiences the opportunity to understand better our Arab brothers and sisters through powerful stories. Breaking stereotypes and prejudices is a key part of our mandate, and with the support and resources from MAD Solutions, I believe we can achieve that goal.”
The relaunched company has already acquired five titles to release theatrically in 2022 and is actively looking for a few more “gems”.
Karkouti remarked: “It’s great to be based in Egypt and be able to gain an important foothold in the American distribution marketplace through D Street Releasing. We’ve learned so much operating and growing MAD Solutions, and believe we can draw on that accumulated experience and honed skill sets to advance the agenda Dexter and Silvana have for acquiring content from the Arab world, especially those exciting voices now coming from Saudi Arabia.
“Arab cinema is just the starting point. I know there are many films from Africa and Europe that never make it to the US, and we certainly want to pick up where the company left off and open new theatrical pathways to good stories from everywhere.”
Both Karkouti and Diab will join the board of D Street Releasing.
KSA’s Ithra promotes Saudi films and talent at Cannes
The team from Ithra (The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture), one of the largest film producers in Saudi Arabia, was at Cannes to discuss the changing landscape of filmmaking in Saudi Arabia and to showcase two of its latest projects. They presented two Ithra-produced films to industry professionals at the Cannes Film Market’s Short Film Corner – Ali Saeed’s Old Phone Number and Swing, directed by Raneem Almohandis.
Anti-Cinema, Ali Saeed’s documentary feature with Hassan Saeed, brings Saudi’s film history to the big screen; it also picked up the Ithra Content Commission Initiative and is slated for release later this year.
Ithra Film Productions is also releasing two narrative feature films. Sea of Sands is produced by Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy, and Valley Road is directed by award-winning independent Saudi filmmaker Khalid Fahad. Both films are slated to be released next year. Another prominent upcoming release is a documentary by first-time director Abdullah Saharty on the cultural significance of the Arabian camel, its impact on reshaping the peninsula and its future.
The Centre has produced more than 20 films, of which 15 have received local, regional and international awards.
Behind the scenes for the production of Valley Road.
Red Sea Film Festival Foundation names Mohammed Al Turki new CEO
Saudi producer Mohammed Al Turki, previously Chairman of the Committee for the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation, will now be CEO. The Red Sea Foundation is an independent non-profit dedicated to promoting film culture in Saudi Arabia. In his new role, he will spearhead the growth of the festival, building on the success of the first edition, which brought more than 30,000 film enthusiasts and 3,000 industry professionals for a 10-day celebration of the best of global and Arab cinema.
Al Turki is an established producer with a career that spans more than 12 years in both Hollywood and the Arab world. The organisation hopes to tap into his experience with the industry to drive its strategic and cultural mandate to establish the festival’s position as a crucial springboard for emerging Saudi, Arab and African talent, and also carve a spot in the international festival circuit.
Mohammed Al Turki.
Front Row to co-produce Ayouch’s Abdelinho
Front Row Filmed Entertainment has joined forces with a team of producers for the production of Abdelinho, a satirical coming-of-age-comedy starring Palestinian actor Ali Suliman. The company also has all MENA rights to the title.
Produced and directed by Hicham Ayouch (Fevers) and co-produced by Canal+ International, Hecat Studio, FreeMonkeyz and Sihamou Productions, the story follows a young Moroccan fascinated by everything to do with Brazil. He speaks the language fluently, dances the samba regularly and is head over heels in love with Maria, a telenovela heroine. However, his world is turned upside down when an ultra-conservative televangelist arrives.
“We’re proud to be joining such a team. Hicham is an innate storyteller with an understanding of the region’s reality, but also its massive potential,” commented Front Row CEO Gianluca Chakra. “Abdelinho is a unique film that underscores how fanaticism can limit dreams and creativity, to the point of debilitating societies. Ultimately, the film injects positivity and hope within our cultures here, something which we always strive for, particularly in the Middle East. Given our position in the market, we will do everything possible to get this film out and be seen by as many eyeballs we can reach.”
Ayouch added: "I'm very happy to collaborate with Front Row, whose enthusiasm about Abdelinho is wonderful; they fell in love with the film and I'm sure they'll do a fantastic job.”
Abdelinho is Ayouch’s fourth feature. The film is in post-production and scheduled for release at the end of the year.
Abdelinho is Ayouch's fourth feature film.
SPI/FilmBox expands deal with Digital Virgo for MENA
Turkish broadcaster SPI/FilmBox's deal with long-standing partner Digital Virgo will further extend the reach of its drama hub Dizi across the MENA region. This will see Dizi integrated into DV CONTENT, a catalogue of digital services designed for mobile operators. The deal will ensure Dizi is now available in Arabic on PlayVOD, Veedz and Unlimited Streaming in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the UAE. Last year, Digital Virgo brought SPI’s FilmBox Africa, FilmBox Arthouse, Gametoon and Fightbox to multiple countries in Africa.
SNA launches new Arabic business platform
Sky News Arabia has launched a new digital platform covering breaking business news and providing insightful economic analysis and in-depth reporting for Arab-speakers across the globe. Launched in response to consumer demand for objective and actionable economic intelligence and insights, it will cover all areas of the economy and business.
Head of News Youssef Tsouri said: “The launch of SNAbusiness.com reflects Sky News Arabia’s commitment to provide our audiences with the economic news and analysis they need. We are witnessing an increasing demand for business news at a time when the whole world is in greater need of this genre of information. Our aim is to provide fast and accurate reporting to our viewers and deliver our brand promise to be your reliable source of economic information.”
Muvi Cinemas announces new CEO for production arm
Saudi Arabia’s homegrown cinema brand Muvi Cinemas has launched Muvi Studios, a new production arm, with the aim of making Saudi and Egyptian films, especially for the big screen.
Saudi film veteran Faisal Baltyuor has been appointed CEO of Muvi Studios. Formerly CEO of the Saudi Film Council, he previously led an initiative with the Ministry of Culture to develop the Saudi film industry before founding the largest specialised Saudi film distribution company, CineWaves Film, in 2020. He is also a board member of Manga Production and holds several other roles in the Saudi film industry.
Since its launch in February 2019, Muvi Cinemas has expanded to 22 locations across the kingdom, operating 205 screens featuring the latest movie experiences including Samsung Onyx, 4DX, ScreenX, Dolby Cinema and Xperience powered by CGS technology.
Faisal Baltyuor, CEO of Muvi Studios.
EditShare shares MENA success stories at CABSAT
EditShare announced a few of the successful projects it has recently delivered in Sharjah, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. One of Saudi Arabia’s smart cities has deployed its storage management solutions and workflow tools. Sharjah’s Government Media Bureau has also invested in EditShare to support production of video content and delivery over multiple platforms.
Commenting on the alliance, Rayan Nasser, Sales Director at United Broadcast & Media Solutions (UBMS), the systems integrator for the project, said: “Our customer in Saudi Arabia has some of the most advanced media operations in the Middle East. EditShare’s ability to integrate key editorial tools removes the bottlenecks of proprietary systems, enabling us to offer clients the full range of post-production services using their preferred creative tools, while giving them the reassurance of outstanding support from us as an EditShare partner.”
Each system sees EditShare FLOW media management and EFS storage solutions providing streamlined editorial workflows. With its open approach, the EditShare platform allows each user to support a mix of Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve and other post-production tools. EditShare worked in conjunction with UBMS to design, install and support two of its customers.
Said Bacho, EditShare Chief Revenue Officer, commented: “Media companies demand multivendor workflows that can be tailored to their specific production needs. What is so attractive to our users is that we absorb the complex technical demands, eliminating bottlenecks and ensuring that the creative teams enjoy a seamless, intuitive experience – leaving them free to concentrate on making great content.”
Said Bacho.
