MTV sets Middle East launch date

Music television giant MTV said on Sunday it will launch its first Arabic channel next month as it looks to localise its programming and capitalise on the growing influence of popular music in the Arab world.

MTV Arabia will go on air at midnight on November 17 on Nilesat channel 14 and Arabsat channel 24 with the promise to showcase the region’s latest trends in youth entertainment to 190 million people.

The channel will air a mix of international and Arab music and lifestyle shows, with around 40% being locally produced, MTV said.

MTV said the channel’s programming line-up includes a number of local productions that will air from launch.

The flagship local show is Hip Hop Na, a twelve-episode series which follows auditions to uncover the best local hip hop acts in four different Middle Eastern cities.

One winner from each city will have the chance to record a track that will feature on a Hip Hop Na compilation CD, produced by hosts Don Legend of Saudi rap group Jeddah Legends and Fred Wreck, a producer who has worked with international artists such as 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg.

The channel will also feature Arabic versions of popular international MTV programmes such as ‘Made’, ‘Barrio 19’ and ‘Boiling Point’.

MTV is working with local partner Arab Media Group, which is covering programme budgets and arrangements with satellite operators. MTV is providing a dozen staff.

The service will be closely followed by the launch of Nickelodeon Arabia next year, which will broadcast to countries including Saudi Arabia the UAE, Egypt and Lebanon.

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