FME Lands Middle East Deals

LONDON: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has sold more than 150 hours of programming, including the international hit American Idol, to pan-Arabic broadcaster Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC). 

In addition to the eighth season of American Idol, MBC picked up the doc Britney: For the Record. The channel is also set to air a range of FME’s blue-collar factual shows, including America’s Toughest Jobs, 1,000 Ways to Die, America’s Port, Black Gold, LA Hard Hats and Verminators.

Aside from U.S. series, MBC also went for Merlin, The BRIT Awards 2009 and the Australian crime drama The Strip. Project Runway and She’s Got the Look scored renewals. 

Jamie Lynn, the VP of sales for the Middle East, Israel, Turkey, Greece and Cyprus for FremantleMedia Enterprises, commented, "We’re delighted to be able to provide the Arab world’s most popular broadcaster with such an exciting selection of our new programming. We look forward to building on this successful relationship."

Jemma Yates, the channel manager for MBC4, added, "This is great news for our audience. American Idol is one of the world’s great event shows and for the first time our viewers will be able to see it in the same week as the U.S., free and exclusive. Along with Idol, FME have some fabulous programs and we’re delighted to conclude such an exclusive deal with them."