MBC Group Inks Agreement with Turkish Producers

MBC Group has signed a five-year agreement with Turkish production houses Medyapim and Ay Yapim for a first-look at their titles and to co-develop and commission Arabic-language productions.

Upcoming titles produced by Medyapim and Ay Yapim will appear exclusively as first-look titles in MENA or as part of a volume deal agreement via MBC’s TV channels, as well as Shahid. The first-look titles, all dubbed in Arabic, will broadcast concurrently in MENA and Turkey. Selected Turkish titles will be made available on Shahid’s wider network worldwide.

Productions co-developed by MBC Group, Medyapim and Ay Yapim will be filmed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and surrounding territories in the coming years.

“It’s no secret that Turkish content is extremely popular with MENA audiences,” said Sam Barnett, CEO of MBC Group. “It’s a genre that has been rising in popularity in this region since the early noughties. With two fantastic Turkish production houses—Medyapim and Ay Yapim—coming on board and collaborating with MBC Group, not only are audiences going to receive first access to upcoming Turkish TV hits, but we’re also going to focus on exchanging expertise and knowledge to produce some exciting Arabic-language dramas and other programs, shot in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and rest of the MENA region. We’re thrilled to have Medyapim and Ay Yapim on board.”

Fatih Aksoy, president of Medyapim, said, “We are very happy to announce a new and very exciting cooperation with MBC Group. It is our most sincere wish that this will be a most delightful endeavor for both parties and also the beginning of a long-standing partnership.”

Kerem Çatay, CEO of Ay Yapim, added, “Fifteen years ago, MBC Group was home to the first foreign network to broadcast an Ay Yapim series. They were leaders then, and they are leaders now. That’s why I’m so happy to be teaming up with MBC Group to create this new chapter in drama. I know we will do great things together!”