OSN signs long-term exclusive deal with NBCUniversal International, cementing its position as first choice in TV entertainment

OSN, the leading pay-TV network in the Middle East and North Africa, has signed a new and extended long-term deal with NBCUniversal International (NBCUI), a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, with a valuable portfolio of television series, films, news and entertainment networks. 

The long-term deal takes OSN to the next level in home entertainment with first and exclusive access to compelling content from NBCUI and also consolidates OSN’s industry position, adding to its growing portfolio of new channels and unbeatable content partnerships.

The deal secures first pay window rights for OSN, in addition to exclusive over-the-top (OTT) content access on OSN Play, the award-winning digital platform that is free to subscribers, and GO, the fast-growing non-subscriber based online TV service.

OSN will now also have exclusive rights to the popular channel, E! Entertainment Television, in Arabic, providing subscribers with unprecedented access to the sought-after world of pop culture. E!’s focus on localised entertainment programming in Arabic will bring news, views and all the celebrity buzz of regional stars – only on E! News. Further, E! will have dedicated primetime programming that is dubbed or subtitled in Arabic. 

Additionally, subscribers will have access to a world of science fiction entertainment as OSN secures exclusive rights to Syfy in Arabic, from mid-2016. The launch of the channel will bring Syfy’s year-round roster of acclaimed original series, original movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming to OSN subscriber, with almost 80 percent of the content in Arabic – either with subtitles or dubbed. 

David Butorac, Chief Executive Officer of OSN, said: “The pay-TV industry will be led by those who own the most compelling content, and OSN is dominating the space of original and exclusive programming through our long-term channel and content partnerships such as with NBCUniversal International, which truly opens a universe of unmatched content available now only for OSN subscribers.

He added: “Our partnership with NBCUniversal International not only consolidates our presence in the market but also reflects our commitment to delivering sought-after content first and exclusively to our viewers. We do not operate as just content carriers; we also work with our partners to ensure that we can customise their content for the local market. That is why we will be focusing on localisation and bringing amazing Arabic content – through E! and Syfy.”

The new agreement also extends OSN’s carriage agreement for CNBC.

Belinda Menendez, President, NBCUniversal International Distribution & Networks, commented: “We are delighted to expand our presence in the Middle East and Northern Africa via a long-term agreement with OSN that, for subscribers, boasts new programming localised in Arabic, along with the launch of Syfy and also ensures that OSN’s subscribers will continue to enjoy the programming on CNBC and our critically acclaimed TV series and films.” 

Leading the worldwide box office in 2015 with blockbuster hits such as Minions, Furious 7 and Jurassic World, NBCUniversal International continues their momentum with stellar upcoming theatrical releases including Ride Along 2, Untitled Next Bourne Chapter, The Huntsman Winter’s War and Warcraft, amongst others. On the series front, viewers can look forward to outstanding shows such as Suits, Mr. Robot, Bates Motel, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Grimm, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, as well as new drama, Game of Silence. 

The NBCU portfolio also includes late-night talk shows such as the award-winning The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers; top news shows including the Today Show; and one of longest running shows on television, Meet the Press, plus many more.