IBC 13 formalizes partnership with India network

ABS-CBN president Eugenio Lopez III and Dallah Al Baraka Group president Saleh Abdullah Kamel signed a Memorandum of Agreement last June 14 to extend ABS-CBN’s international reach to two more continents. Under the agreement, ABS-CBN International’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) will be aired by Arab Radio and Television (ART) network which is owned by Dalla Al Baraka.

"This partnership will ensure that Filipinos in those areas will receive Filipino programs. It will also be the start of affiliations with the Al Baraka Group in the future," Lopez said.

Lopez added that ABS-CBN will also explore the possibility of producing programs with ART since the two networks extensively produce their own programs.

Kamel hopes that airing The Filipino Channel will introduce Philippine culture to Arab communities and encourage the inflow of Arab tourists into the country.

ART is considered a pioneer in Arab Media which provdies 24-hour Arabic entertainment worldwide through several DTH platforms and cable operators. The company actively oversees its distribution markets in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.

The ART also signed a contract with SkyCable for the latter to carry and provide ART channels to interested subscribers nationwide.

ABS-CBN International provides quality services to Filipinos abroad through cable and programming distribution. With over 34,000 subscribers last year, TFC continues to expand its subscriber base in North America, Hawaii, Guam, Saipan and other Asian countries. Its international syndicated programming enjoys even wider reach, airing on broadcast stations in the U.S., Europe and Asia. In the U.S. alone, ABS-CBN programs are seen by 80% of the Filipino market through various UHF channels across the country.

Photo

ABS-CBN President Eugenio Lopez III (left) and Arab Radio & TV (ART) President Saleh Abdullah Kamel (middle) sign a Memorandum of Agreement during ceremonies held recently to formalize the partnership of the two media conglomerates. Under the agreement, ART will air The Filipino Channel (TFC) through its networks in the Middle East and Europe. Looking on is Kamel’s executive assistant Karim Abdullah.