Nick Arabia Set for 2008 Launch

LONDON/DUBAI, October 16: MTV Networks International (MTVNI)
and Arab Media Group (AMG) are expanding the terms of their long-term
partnership with plans to launch Nickelodeon Arabia, a localized,
Arabic-language free-to-air channel dedicated exclusively to kids across the
Middle East.

Nickelodeon will be the first global kids’ media brand to
create a free-to-air Arabic service across the region. The channel will fall
under the umbrella of Arabian Television Network (ATN), AMG’s TV broadcasting
arm that also incorporates the soon-to-launch MTV Arabia and three other
stations that will launch before the end of 2007.

The 24-hour channel, set to launch next year, will reach 36
million TV homes via satellite, with a potential audience of 190 million people
across the region, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab
Emirates. Programming will include a mix of international content from
Nickelodeon and original local Arabic productions. The channel will be
supported by an Arabic website.

Bhavneet Singh, the managing director and senior VP of the
Emerging Markets Group at MTVNI, commented: “The launch of Nickelodeon Arabia
is a part of our wider, ongoing multiplatform strategy encompassing consumer
products, digital media, hotels and theme parks, which we hope will establish
Nickelodeon as the premier destination for kids in the region.”

Bill Roedy, vice
chairman of MTV Networks, added: “Adding the voices of Arab children to our
worldwide Nickelodeon family is a significant milestone in our history, and
advances our ambitious strategy to build a portfolio of integrated kids’
businesses across the region. The Middle East is a dynamic, thriving market
with vast growth opportunities, and we look forward to launching even more
MTVNI brands and businesses through our successful partnerships with AMG and
TECOM Investments.”

The partnership between AMG and MTVNI already includes MTV
Arabia, the region’s first and only youth lifestyle brand, set to launch next
month. The fully localized, free-to-air channel will showcase both
international and Arabic music as well as a mix of international MTV content,
Arabic productions of popular MTV formats and local original programming
concepts. Discussions are also currently under way regarding consumer products,
recreation and digital rights opportunities in the region.

—By Mansha Daswani