?At a gala, star-studded event in Dubai last October, OSN, the region’s leading pay-TV network, had unveiled its premier roster of exclusive new programming for 2016 and launched three new dedicated movie and entertainment channels, apart from launching the region’s first Digital Video Store.
True to its promise of embarking on initiatives that seek to redefine TV entertainment in the region, OSN has now come out with its long list of highlights for kids’ content on its network. While Nickelodeon and Nick Jr are 100 per cent dubbed/subtitled – depending on the target audience of the content – Jim Jam is 100 per cent available in Arabic dubbed.
There are several such interesting highlights in the programming plan. Disney Jr and Nickelodeon are both available as live streaming on OSN Play, with both live streaming channels ranking in the top 10 most viewed content/channel on OSN Play at any given day. “Five per cent of the total daily viewership comes from these channels. KSA and UAE are the top 2 countries viewing these channels,” OSN says.
OSN Play has ever-increasing volumes of kids’ content that is available at all times for kids. “We have a daily average of 100 assets for kids’ content at any given day,” OSN points out. While Disney Channel has Arabic dubbing on the animated content, it’s only recently launched in HD – Nickelodeon is already in HD – they are the region’s only kids’ channels in HD, alongside OSN Movies Kids.
Emad Morcos, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Digital, OSN, told Community, “Family-oriented content with a focus on nurturing positive values in children has been a top priority for OSN. Over the years, we have made significant investments in ensuring our kids channels promote moral values and responsible behaviour, as well as respect the region’s cultural sensitivities. Now we are strengthening the 2016 kids’ programming with innovative and positive content, and also placing due diligence in airing only those channels that meet our requirements.”
Meanwhile, Shimmer & Shine on Nick Jr, an Arab-inspired animated series and the first of its kind on pay TV, will premiere on OSN Play FIRST, before it premieres on the channel. “This is a testament to our constant interest in providing our subscribers with the best content in the most innovative ways, anytime and anywhere,” OSN points out.
Nickelodeon and OSN has launched the Nickelodeon App with an OSN authenticated section. This app gives subscribers additional content, behind the scenes clips and games that are exclusively for our subscribers.
“This year, like last year, we will be sending a family to the Kids Choice Awards in LA for a week. This is something that only Pay TV can provide,” says OSN, adding, “Our channels are the only place where kids’ content actually premieres in the region. These are the true premiering destinations for the top international kids’ content. Series and episodes with huge international following that will be also premiering on our platform are Guardians of the Galaxy (XD), Star Wars Rebels (XD), Spongebob (Nick), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nick), Shimmer and Shine (Nick JR), Sofia The First (DJR), and The Lion Guard (DJR).”
All the kids’ channels, and especially Nick Jr and Disney Jr, promise to impart positive, value-based ideas. Morcos added, “All of our programmes for children, particularly Nick Jr and Disney Jr, have positive value based-educational themes that teach youngsters the importance of friendship, doing the right thing, and leading a happy and healthy life.”
The New Year will see more than 50 new and exclusive shows plus 70 continuing series premiering on OSN. More than 25 of the biggest and award-winning shows will premiere at the same time as the US, affording OSN viewers access to the most talked-about shows first.
Some of the much-sought after kids shows are: 100 Things to Do Before High School (new series), Game Shakers (new series), TMNT, Henry Danger; Kid’s Choice Awards, SpongeBob; and Harvey Beaks on Nickelodeon HD; and Shimmer and Shine (new series), Bubble Guppies, Little Charmers, FBB of Spies (new series), Blaze, and Dora & Friends on Nick JR. Disney Channel has Liv & Maddie (DC), Supa Strikas (DXD), Bunk’d (DC), Miraculous Tales of LadyBug and Cat Noir Launch (DC), Pickle and Peanut (DXD), Kirby Buckets (DXD), Goldie & Bear Launch (DJR), Alex & Co (DC), Star Wars Rebels (DXD), and Guardians of the Galaxy (DXD).