BBC Worldwide Lines Up Mideast SVOD Deal

BBC Worldwide has penned its first content agreement with E-Vision for its SVOD service in the Middle East.

The pact delivers a wide range of content to Etisalat’s SVOD customers. War and Peace, for exammple, makes it SVOD premiere in the market, alongside the Golden Globe Award-winning drama Wolf Hall, natural-history series Wild Mexico, classic comedy Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em (seasons one through three) and family comedy Citizen Khan (seasons one through four). The agreement also includes Last Night of BBC Proms 2014 and 2015, as well as kids’ shows Hey Duggee, Go Jetters and Sarah & Duck.

Natasha Hussain, VP and general manager for the Middle East and Mediterranean region at BBC Worldwide, said, “MENA is one of the fastest growing online markets in the world, with changing viewing habits among data-savvy consumers. Everyone wants convenient, quick access to world-class entertainment. BBC Worldwide is delighted to be answering this need by bringing the very best of premium British content at pace, directly to E-Vision clientele, including eLife TV subscribers.”

E-Vision’s CEO, Humaid Sahoo, said: “We are delighted to continue to enhance our content offering by partnering with BBC Worldwide. This first agreement with BBC Worldwide aims to be the start of a long partnership with a world-class content house.”

Jonathan Haysom, VP of home product marketing for Etisalat UAE, added: “Our award-winning eLife TV service continues to expand its content horizons and solidify itself as the biggest entertainment hub in the UAE. eLife TV customers will now enjoy more cutting-edge dramas, immersive documentaries and compelling children’s content that the BBC is famous for.”