Entertainment

OSN, the leading pay-TV network in the Middle East and North Africa, has signed a brand-new and extended long-term deal with NBCUniversal International (NBCUI), a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, with a valuable portfolio of television series, movies, news and entertainment networks.The long-term deal takes OSN to the next level in home entertainment with very first and special access to engaging content from NBCUI and also consolidates OSN's market position, adding to its growing profile of new channels and irresistible content collaborations.

The offer protects 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 totally 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 unmatched access to the sought-after world of pop culture.'s focus on localised entertainment shows in Arabic will bring news, views and all the celebrity buzz of regional stars-- only on E!

In addition, subscribers will have access to a world of sci-fi entertainment as OSN secures special rights to Syfy in Arabic, from mid-2016. The launch of the channel will bring Syfy's year-round roster of well-known initial series, original movies, traditional sci-fi and fantasy programming to OSN customer, with practically 80 percent of the content in Arabic-- either with subtitles or called.

David Butorac, Chief Executive Officer of OSN, stated: "The pay-TV market will be led by those who own the most compelling material, and OSN is dominating the space of original and unique programs through our long-term channel and content collaborations such as with NBCUniversal International, which truly opens a universe of unrivaled material readily available now just for OSN subscribers.

He added: "Our collaboration with NBCUniversal International not just combines our presence in the market but also reflects our commitment to delivering sought-after content first and solely to our audiences. We do not operate as simply content carriers; we also work with our partners to make sure that we can customise their content for the local market.

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

Belinda Menendez, President, NBCUniversal International Distribution & Networks, commented: "We are delighted to broaden our presence in the Middle East and Northern Africa via a long-term arrangement with OSN that, for customers, boasts new programming localised in Arabic, together with the launch of Syfy and also guarantees that OSN's subscribers will continue to delight in the programs on CNBC and our seriously acclaimed TV series and movies.".

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 Winters 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.

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