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MBC Group has launched MBC Studios, a new subsidiary focusing on film and TV production in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, led by Peter Smith.

OSN has a range of U.S. series, including the new medical drama New Amsterdam, coming to viewers in the Middle East.

OSN Play, the free streaming online catch-up TV service for OSN subscribers, is offering an additional 24 live channels, including Nicktoons.

The inaugural DISCOP Sharm El Sheikh, which is taking the place of the Middle East-focused market DISCOP Dubai, is expecting more than 1,000 delegates at next year's event.

DISCOP Johannesburg 2018 will host a parallel Next Gen development and pitching program with a special focus on animation.

BBC Studios and beIN Media Group have extended their collaboration to explore opportunities for the co-development, co-production and distribution of content in Qatar, the Middle East and Turkey.

The first edition of DISCOP Zanzibar wrapped last week following three days of meetings, networking and panels focused on the growth of the East African TV, film, digital and video-gaming sector.

Netflix is expected to continue to dominate the SVOD market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), according to Digital TV Research, which projects that the region will have a total of 20.8 million SVOD subscribers by 2023, up from 5.2 million at the end of last year.

There will be some 10 million SVOD subscribers across Sub-Saharan Africa by 2023, up from 1.6 million at the end of last year, according to Digital TV Research, but revenues from that base will only reach $775 million.

SPI International/FILMBOX has inked a distribution agreement with LNB in Lebanon to carry several of its thematic channels, thereby expanding its footprint in MENA.