Zee Alwan setting new benchmark

Zee Entertainment Enterprises has announced a $ 100 million investment to launch Zee Alwan, dedicated to providing wholesome family entertainment for Saudi Arabian audiences and Arabs across the Middle East and North Africa region.
The free-to-air channel will bring exclusively the Saudi Arabian television series Hindustani in addition to two new Arabic series and popular Indian serials dubbed into Arabic.
Zee Alwan will have over 180 hours of original programming monthly.
The program roster also includes a range of lifestyle shows including cookery, yoga, and travel — all carefully structured to appeal to Arab family audiences.
With an operational office in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the channel can be accessed through frequency 12417 on Nilesat and 12111 on Arabsat.
Mukund Cairae, CEO — Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, said: “Following two years of research across the region, with several focus group interviews in Saudi Arabia, we are launching Zee Alwan that will provide total family entertainment for the viewers in the Kingdom.”
He said: “Zee Alwan’s niche of providing exclusive Arabic series — produced in the Gulf region as well as the dubbed Indian productions — sets a new trend in family television entertainment in the Middle East. Through Zee Alwan, we are also creating a new platform for talent collaboration between the Arab world and India. With several young Saudi nationals stepping forward into the television sector, we see strong opportunities for collaborating with them to produce original Arabic serials that reflect the culture and values of Saudi Arabia and the region.”
Patrick Samaha, VP — marketing and sales of Zee Alwan & general manager of Zee Aflam in the Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan, said: “The launch of Zee Alwan sets a new benchmark for the Arab television industry, as it focuses on offering wholesome family entertainment.”