DUBAI: The Middle East broadcaster MBC has opened new studios in Dubai, which it said boast “state-of-the-art” equipment.
The media giant also introduced seven programs to be broadcast from the new location at Dubai Studio City.
The facility will be used for programming for MBC’s satellite network, primarily MBC1 and MBC3, and online portals.
The television studios have “cutting-edge” equipment that meets international standards, the broadcaster said in a statement.
Dubai Studio City is located inland, and the new studios complement MBC’s facilities at its headquarters in Dubai Media City.
“The presence of MBC today in Dubai Studio City started with the launch of our partnership with O3 Productions in 2013 for the production and distribution of drama and film content. Following that, our studios were soon equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology that puts us on par with the world’s top studios,” said Ali Jaber, group TV director at MBC.
“Today, we follow through with what we started four years ago — to enrich the region with the most creative media and entertainment content that ranges from drama productions right through to live programming.
“Hence, stems the strategic importance of this partnership that constitutes a quantum leap that will inevitably lead to the development of content in all its forms across MBC Group’s channels and other media platforms. Through this partnership, we will also be able to attract top talent, the right expertise, and bright, creative minds of the various disciplines that are related to the creative and production fields.”
MBC said seven key shows will be made at the new facility. “Ma Lam Tarra,” fronted by Ibrahim Al-Farhan, investigates social issues by uncovering hidden facts and events. “Badriyah,” a current affairs program, live interview show “Bil-Mokhtasar”, and family breakfast show “Sabah Alkhair Ya Arab” (Good Morning, Arab World) will also be made there. “MBC Fi Isbo’o” (MBC In A Week), a news bulletin and sports show will also be made at the Dubai Studio City complex.
MBC Group — considered the largest TV broadcaster in the Arab world, with 20 stations including MBC Drama and the Al Arabiya News Channel — gets most of its revenues from advertising.
The outlook for the wider advertising market is gloomy for this year. Elie Khouri, chief executive of the Omnicom Media Group in MENA, earlier told Arab News that investments in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) advertising fell by 10 percent in 2016, and expects a similar drop this year.
But the executive expects the market to recover in late 2017 and early next year.
Media giant MBC opens new studios in Dubai
Media giant MBC opens new studios in Dubai
