Discovery Communications has entered into a partnership with beIN to launch six new channels in the MENA region. It has also extended a long-term deal with OSN and will launch two new HD channels exclusively for the latter’s subscribers.
The beIN deal will see Discovery Kids HD, Dlife HD, DMax HD, DTX HD and a new HD version of Fatafeat become exclusively available on the beIN platform, with Animal Planet HD also joining the line-up.
Commenting on the development, Yousef Al-Obaidly, deputy CEO of beIN Media Group, said: “Partnering with Discovery Communications further strengthens our position as the number one family entertainment platform in the region. Discovery’s channels offer unique content, packaged exceptionally well for the most discerning global audiences. We look forward to working closely with Discovery to bring great new content to MENA.”
JB Perrette, president, Discovery Networks International, added: “For over 30 years, Discovery has been satisfying viewers’ curiosity through engaging and entertaining content through a list of powerful and loved media brands. In partnership with beIN, we are providing a stronger offer to our viewers and commercial partners, and we look forward to working alongside beIN to increase the reach of our content in the Middle East and Africa.”
Meanwhile, Discovery Family HD and IDX HD will become the latest premium channels offered exclusively to OSN subscribers in the MENA region.
They will join the flagship channels Discovery Channel HD, TLC HD and now Discovery Science HD, which are also exclusive for OSN across the region.
Emad Morcos, senior VP – Media Partners and Digital, OSN, said: “The long-term partnership with Discovery Communications further strengthens the ‘nowhere else’ television experience that we offer to our subscribers. The exclusive launch of two new channels and the introduction of new content, available across all our platforms, gives us a definitive edge as the go-to destination for thoughtfully executed and intensely researched programmes that are a signature of Discovery. The wide breadth of programmes on Discovery Family HD and IDX HD will provide family audiences high quality content exclusively on OSN. We will continue to bring exceptional television experiences to our subscribers this year, having already expanded our offering through five new channels.”
James Gibbons, EVP & country manager, Emerging Business, Discovery Networks CEEMEA, added: “OSN has been our long-standing partner in the region for several years, and we are excited to extend this relationship further and add two new channels to their HD offering.
“Discovery Family HD is the destination channel that will bring the whole family together, featuring quality programming that will inspire a new way of learning, while IDX HD will have viewers glued to their seats with glossy reconstructions of real-life mysteries. Combined with an increase of new hours of entertaining content across our flagship premium channels, Discovery’s portfolio will now offer even more value for OSN subscribers.”
