FIC, twofour54 Announce Collaboration

ABU DHABI: Fox International Channels is stepping up its activities in the Middle East, partnering with twofour54 on three major projects that were announced at the Abu Dhabi Media Summit.

FIC is set to move the playout and operations of some of its channels available in the Middle East from Hong Kong and other locations to a new centralized facility operated by twofour54 in Abu Dhabi. FIC’s free-to-air Middle Eastern portfolio includes National Geographic Abu Dhabi Channel, launched in partnership with Abu Dhabi Media Company last year, and Fox Movies and Fox Series, launched in partnership with Rotana Media Services. FIC also operates nine pay-TV channels in the region, including National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Adventure, National Geographic Channel HD, Star Movies, Star World, Baby TV, Channel V and Fox Sports, as well as representing the Fox News and Sky News channels in the region.

In addition, FIC will base the Middle Eastern headquarters of its global online ad network business .FOX in Abu Dhabi in co-operation with twofour54, where it will expand on its substantial business in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as target new markets. Plus, FIC, through its documentary production arm NHNZ, is working with twofour54 on the production of an HD and 3D documentary. NHNZ will set up a production office in Abu Dhabi to manage its Middle Eastern productions.

David Haslingden, the CEO of Fox International Channels, commented: “This inaugural Abu Dhabi Media Summit is the ideal forum for us to announce this exciting collaboration between FIC and twofour54, and to underline the important role that such strategic alliances have in the development of the enormous potential of the region’s media sector."

Ward Platt, the president of Fox International Channels for the Asia Pacific and Middle East, added: “twofour54 has established itself at the forefront of the region’s leading providers of media and entertainment services and it is actively helping to establish Abu Dhabi as a regional media hub. We are thrilled to have partnered with such an impressive home-grown regional media player. As we seek to play our part in the ongoing development of the UAE’s capital as a media centre for the Middle East our relationship with twofour54 will be a fundamental advantage.”

Tony Orsten, the CEO of twofour54, commented: "The world’s media industry is increasingly focusing on the MENA region. This announcement reinforces our vision, which is to establish Abu Dhabi as a regional centre of excellence for the Arabic media industry, and adds to the media ecosystem we have created. We are excited about partnering with FIC in their efforts to build their globally admired brands, launch innovative media solutions and enhance the level of factual content production within the region."