OSN is set to launch six new channels in HD in the next two months. The channels include OSN Yahala Cinema HD, OSN Movies Family HD, OSN First HD Home of HBO and H2 HD, and promise to deliver “nowhere else” content. Five of the new channels will be launched on February 1 with other premium and exclusive channels to be unveiled in March.
The launch of the new channels highlights OSN’s strategy for 2016 to consolidate its market presence by offering subscribers premium content that is available in true HD on OSN in addition to strengthening its digital viewing platforms for “anytime, anywhere” access.
The new channels that will be available from February 1 are:
- OSN Yahala Cinema HD (Channel No: 110): An Arabic movie channel in true HD that will show the latest Arabic movies shortly after their theatrical release.
- OSN Movies Family HD (Channel No: 16): A family channel.
- OSN First HD Home of HBO (Channel No: 202): The channel will air exclusive HBO content at the same time as its US release.
- H2 HD (Channel No: 509): This channel from the History channel portfolio is a new premium factual channel offering exclusive documentaries. This channel will be fully subtitled by April, in addition to the existing History channel being fully subtitled by March.
These channels are in addition to the recently announced BBC First HD (Channel No: 215), tailored for the MENA region, which will serve as an exclusive platform for British premium drama and new entertainment.
Recently, OSN has also signed a 10-year extended partnership with NBCUniversal that will also see E! Channel exclusively available to OSN subscribers. OSN will also bring the popular Syfy channel on board as part of the partnership this year.
All the new announcements will result in over 50 new and exclusive shows plus 70 continuing series premiering exclusively on OSN, with over 25 shows that will premiere at the same time as the US.
David Butorac, CEO of OSN, says in a statement: “We are continuously pushing our boundaries and reinventing the TV industry landscape of the MENA region through our investment in content that no other network can offer. This is our central strategy for 2016. The new channels reflect the exclusive global industry partnerships that we have strengthened over the years. We have first access to content of all the new channels for our OTT and On Demand platforms too, thus also enhancing the true ‘anytime, anywhere’ TV experiences for our subscribers.”
