MBC Extends Warner Bros. Output Deal

DUBAI/BURBANK: MBC in the Middle East will have first-run access to all new TV shows distributed by Warner Bros. International Distribution from the 2008-09, 09-10 and 10-11 U.S. TV seasons, as part of a multiyear extension of their output deal.

The Middle Eastern broadcaster, which operates six channels (MBC1, MBC2, MBC MAX, MBC3, MBC4, MBC Action and Al Arabiya) will premiere the shows on free TV concurrent with the U.S. broadcast. This is the first time that WBITD programming will premiere on free TV in this part of the world, and the first time that the studio has offered its new programming for broadcast concurrent with the U.S. The new deal kicks off with The Mentalist, Fringe and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, all rolling out in the next two weeks exclusively on MBC Action.

“This is our biggest deal to date with Warner Bros., one of the most successful studios in the world, and we are very excited to offer our viewers today’s most popular series internationally,” said Tim Riordan, the group TV director at MBC. “MBC realizes the importance of airing shows in this region concurrently with the U.S., in order to meet the growing demands of the Arab audience.”

Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, the president of Warner Bros. International Television, added: “We have had a very successful association with MBC which we are pleased to extend with this significant new agreement that will see all of our new TV series debuting on MBC in the region. We will work closely with MBC to bring our shows to Arab world viewers in close proximity to their broadcast in the U.S., and we look forward to a long and successful relationship.”