DUBAI: Arabic cooking channel Fatafeat has announced its production plans for the year reaffirming its commitment to local content.
The channel already has more than 270 hours of linear, or traditional TV, content scheduled for production in 2021, with more to be added in the coming months.
During the last two years, linear content had accounted for around 350 hours over each 12-month period and Fatafeat plans to exceed the number this year.
In addition to linear content, Fatafeat’s studio in Dubai Production City will produce social and digital content, which is expected to exceed the 1,000-plus hours of such content produced in 2020.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdowns and the following safety protocols hit production last year.
Layla Tamim, commercial manager at Discovery, Fatafeat’s parent company, told Arab News: ““In 2020, the lockdown protocols which resulted in the Fatafeat production studio closing occurred only one-month before Ramadan – a peak period for premiere content and partner content each year.”
“Whilst production wasn’t able to continue in the traditional sense, we are fortunate enough to work with an incredibly talented and agile team, which meant that, with some virtual prowess and at-home production equipment, our brilliant chefs and producers were able to continue creating content for fans remotely,” she said.
Layla Tamim, commercial manager at Discovery, Fatafeat’s parent company. (Supplied)
The content being produced at the Dubai-based Fatafeat studio is not only designed for Fatafeat’s linear television channel but also curated for its Genius Kitchen app, as well as social media content for YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook.
Tamim pointed out that the increase in content output, as well as its regional relevance, had resulted in more inquiries for brand collaborations and sponsored programming.
“Our plans for 2021 are not only to increase the hours of output from the studio but also capitalize on the opportunity to develop creative content solutions, which not only add value to our burgeoning fanbase but also showcase real value to our partners.”
