Ben10 talks Arabic from October 10

Ben 10, the Powerpuff Girls, Dexter and Samurai Jack will all talk Arabic from next week as Cartoon Network launches a local feed in an attempt to reach 35 million homes across the Middle East and North Africa.

Turner Broadcasting System Europe, a Time Warner company, said in a media statement on Thursday that it would launch its free-to-air Cartoon Network in Arabic from October 10.

The channel, broadcasting completely in Arabic across the MENA region, will feature over 500 episodes of most popular children’s shows, including the Middle East’s popular 3D animation series, “Freej”.

A launch event on Thursday coincided with the opening of Turner Broadcasting System’s offices in Dubai Media City, the region’s leading media hub and a member of Tecom Investments.

With a reach of a potential 35 million homes across the region, the new channel will be launched to target the growing audience base of Cartoon Network followers through airing locally produced shows, blockbuster movies and original productions.

Alan Musa, Vice President and General Manager, Middle East, Africa & Pan Region said: “Cartoon Network Arabic reflects TBS’s ambition and belief in local talent. Our initiative has come to life through investing in different strategic partnerships with companies such as Lammtara and Rubicon. Both partnerships will result in generating new ideas and content in addition to distributing them outside the Mena region.”

Under the deal with Lammtara, the studio and creator of “Freej”, Turner will license and distribute “Freej” episodes and merchandise, and produce a local version of its original production, “Skatoony”, which will feature "Freej" characters, a first for the global animated channel. Rubicon Group, the creator of “Tareq wa Shireen” and “Ben and Izzy” will be working with Turner to air these series on Cartoon Network.

“Through our long standing relationship with Turner Broadcasting, 'Ben and Izzy' has grown incredibly popular on an international stage,” said Randa Ayoubi, CEO of Rubicon Group Holding. “Which is why we are delighted that it now has a permanent home in the Middle East too. There is huge market for Arabic content and Cartoon Network Arabia has provided the perfect platform to tell our stories.”

TBS’s efforts in publicising and marketing Cartoon Network Arabic are manifest through various communication channels such as Print, broadcast and online. In addition to traditional media, community campaigns are being carried out throughout the region focusing on schools and mall visits to raise awareness among the targeted audience and educate them about the new channel and programmes it will air.
 
 

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