26.02.03
Al
Jazeera takes 1000 hours of BBC programmes
BBC
Worldwide and Arabic news and documentary channel, Al Jazeera, signed
an agreement at BBC Showcase 2003 in Brighton for a package of 1000
hours of factual programming. The deal includes Wildlife, History
and Science titles, as well as current affairs documentaries.
Al
Jazeera will use the BBC programmes for the launch of its new Arabic
Documentary Channel that will start broadcasting later this year.
The new channel will be available throughout the Middle East and
Arab territories via Arabsat and Nilesat.
Mr.
Mohamed Al-Fadhala, manager of the new documentary channel, and
Mr. Shamil N. Sarsam, Al Jazeera's manager Programming& International
Relations were in Brighton for BBC Showcase, BBC Worldwide's annual
programming market. Mr. Al-Fadhala said: "We are looking to
repeat the success of our main news channel with a strong selection
of BBC titles on Al Jazeera Documentary."
Alison
Homewood, sales director and deputy managing director BBC Worldwide,
Europe, Middle East, India & Africa, said: "Al Jazeera
is one of the major players in the Arab and Middle East TV market
and we are sure that their new channel will be a significant addition
to the media landscape in the region."
Notes
to editors:
Al Jazeera Satellite Channel, based in Qatar, launched in 1996 as
an Arabic news and information channel with rolling news. News updates
are offered every sixty minutes and there are four main news bulletins
per day as well as breaking news. In addition Al Jazeera broadcasts
documentaries and talk shows to alternate with the news.
BBC
Showcase, the world's largest television programme market hosted
by a single broadcaster, will play host to more than 460 of the
world's top TV programme buying executives as the 27th event get
underway at the Brighton Centre on Monday 24th February. The buyers,
who will attend from as far afield as Australia, America, Japan,
Singapore, Chile, Thailand, India, Eastern Europe and South Africa,
represent more than 100 broadcasters in over 50 countries. The market
is expected to generate sales in the region of £50 million
for BBC Worldwide.
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