July 8, 2009  
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National Geographic Channel and Abu Dhabi Media Company launch world’s first free-to-air NGC in Arabic – National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi

Channel will provide best in factual entertainment, with programming showcasing all aspects of the planet

Karim Sarkis, Ward Platt, Edward Borgerding, Rohit D'SilvaNational Geographic Channel (NGC), the channel which invites viewers to re-think the way they see television, and Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), one of the fastest growing, multi-platform media organisations in the region, announced today their formation of a strategic partnership for the launch of a free-to-air National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi (NGCAD) – the first international factual entertainment channel to be launched in the Arabic language.

National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi, dubbed completely into Arabic, aims to inspire a life-long passion for learning, to cultivate curiosity and wonder about the world and generate awareness, concern and knowledge about the planet.

Its launch in Arabic marks the first time in the Middle East that high quality National Geographic content will be delivered to the region’s viewers dubbed into their native language, and the first time that the National Geographic Channel is being launched free-to-air. The region is currently hugely underserved in the international factual entertainment genre, giving the channel a first mover advantage.

The strategic partnership between Abu Dhabi Media Company and the globally celebrated NGC is forged from ADMC’s vision to turn Abu Dhabi into a regional media hub and from the shared vision between the two to enhance the region’s understanding of the natural world and environment.

Karim Sarkis & Ward PlattDedicated to understanding and protecting the planet with its worldwide reputation of producing credible and authentic content that fits different viewers’ interests, NGC Abu Dhabi offers smart, factual entertainment featuring science and technology, animals and nature, exploration and culture. The channel will target an educated and discerning audience who are curious and sensitive about what’s happening in the world around them.

Ward Platt, President – Asia Pacific & Middle East, National Geographic Channels International said: “The launch of the channel in Arabic marks the first time in the Middle East that high quality National Geographic content will be delivered to the region’s viewers dubbed into their native language, and also the first time that a National Geographic Channel will be available free-to-air. Our work revolves around the protection of the natural world by bringing information and awareness about the planet to viewers – a philosophy and commitment to environmental sustainability shared by ADMC. We are very excited at this opportunity to together showcase unique perspectives on the world that we inhabit in the Arabic language, and play a part in Abu Dhabi’s sustainable growth and transformation into a global media hub.”

The channel will also leverage a variety of multimedia channels for the promotion of National Geographic’s aims – including through a dedicated National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi website – www.natgeotv.ae. The website will feature comprehensive information on programming including forthcoming feature highlights; an easy-view TV schedule; a variety of online games designed to encourage people to think about the planet; a community section where viewers can ‘ask the experts’, contribute to online polls or enter competitions; and a video player where viewers can watch programme highlights and reviews. National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi will also employ a variety of multimedia to reach out to viewers across the market – through print, TV, online and outdoor media; alongside school contact programmes and on the ground activations.

“The launch of National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi raises the bar of excellence in terms of viewer engagement in the region, both through the fact that the content will be in Arabic and that the channel will be free-to-air. It represents a very significant opportunity for us in Abu Dhabi to capture such a largely underserved market segment; and is the ideal launch for Abu Dhabi to attain its position as the Middle East’s centre for media,” commented H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman  of ADMC.

“ADMC is very excited to have partnered with National Geographic Channels – a partner that is not only on the front line of global factual entertainment, but that helps us expand, enhance and diversify our existing media platforms which cater to different audiences, and offer something totally new to the Arabic-speaking population in the Middle East,” said Ed Borgerding, CEO of ADMC.

Globally the National Geographic Channel reaches out to 305 million homes in 165 countries, in 34 languages.

National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi is available now on Arabsat and Nilesat.

ARABSAT BADR 6
Frequency : 11804
Polarization : Horizontal
FEC : 3/4
Symbol Rate : 27500

NILESAT N102
Frequency : 12.226 GHz
Polarization : Horizontal
FEC  : 3/4
Symbol Rate : 27500

About National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi
Launched in July 2009, the 24 hr, free-to-air National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi invites viewers in the Middle East to re-think the way they see television – and the world – through smart, innovative programming in the Arabic language. Brought to the region by the Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) and National Geographic Channels (NGC), channel is dedicated to understanding and protecting the world, with its worldwide reputation of producing credible and authentic content that fits different viewers’ interests. Its programming is smart, factual entertainment featuring of science and technology, animals and nature, exploration and culture.

The launch of National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi complements National Geographic Channels’ existing operations in the region, including the National Geographic Channel launched in the Middle East in July 1998, the subsequent National Geographic Adventure launched in September 2007, followed by National Geographic Wild in January 2008.

Abu Dhabi Media Company
Abu Dhabi Media Company is a vertically integrated media company created in 2007 as a public joint stock company from the assets of Emirates Media Incorporated.

Abu Dhabi Media Company employs 1800 people across its operating units which include publishing, television, radio, digital media, distribution, and printing.

Abu Dhabi Media Company owns and operates Abu Dhabi Al Oula, Abu Dhabi Al Emarat, Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya 2, and Abu Dhabi +1, Emarat FM Radio, Holy Quran Radio, Abu Dhabi FM, Star FM, Al Ittihad newspaper, The National Newspaper, Zahrat Al Khaleej magazine, Al Super magazine, Majid magazine and Imagenation Abu Dhabi as well as other businesses including United Printing Press.

The company is headquartered in Abu Dhabi with offices in Cairo, Dubai and Washington D.C.
For more information please visit www.admedia.ae

Abu Dhabi Media Company
Omar Abed Rabbo, Email: Omar.abedrabbo@admedia.ae

Sawsan Abu Omar, Email : sawsan.abuomar@admedia.ae

For further information, please contact:
Manning, Selvage & Lee
Smriti Singh
Tel: + 971 4 3676156
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email:Smriti.singh@dubai.mslpr.com

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Comments

One Response to “National Geographic Channel and Abu Dhabi Media Company launch world’s first free-to-air NGC in Arabic – National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi”

  1. StreamDirect on February 25th, 2010 4:11 am

    A wonderful topic, let me tell you that you can watch a live online stream of National Geographic Abu Dhabi channel at: 3rbSat | National Geographic Abu Dhabi
     

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