JEDDAH — Zee Entertainment Enterprises, announced a $100m investment in Zee Alwan, the second Arabic channel by Asia's largest television provider, dedicated to providing wholesome family entertainment for Saudi Arabian audiences and Arabs across the Middle East and North Africa region. Zee Alwan will have over 180 hours of original programming monthly with three Arabic series offered exclusively on the free-to-air channel. The program roster also includes popular Indian serials that have been dubbed into Arabic, in addition to a range of lifestyle shows including cookery, yoga, and travel — all carefully structured to appeal to Arab audiences. Mukund Cairae, CEO - Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan, Zee Entertainment Enterprise LLC, said, “Zee Alwan has received overwhelming response from Arab audiences across the Gulf region, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia following its soft launch. With the grand roll-out, we are further strengthening the programming of Zee Alwan, with a focus on providing original Arabic content. Zee Alwan's niche of providing exclusive Arabic series - produced in the Gulf region as well as the dubbed Indian productions — sets a new trend in family television entertainment in the Middle East.” Zee Alwan follows the launch of Zee Aflam, a dedicated 24x7 movie channel beaming Bollywood movies dubbed in Arabic. Patrick Samaha, VP - Marketing & Sales of Zee Alwan & General Manager of Zee Aflam in the Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan, said, “The launch of Zee Alwan sets a new benchmark for the Arab television industry, as it focuses on offering wholesome family entertainment.” Zee Alwan's line up of Arabic serials include the hugely popular Hindustani, the first Saudi Arabian musical and comedy with a prominent cast, making its first and exclusive free-to-air channel telecast. All the programs respect the sensitivities of Arab audiences, especially women. Zee Alwan also has several Arab female anchors to present the shows, provide recaps on earlier episodes, and present vignettes from upcoming episodes. The channel, transmitted from Dubai, with an operational office in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, can be accessed through frequency 12417 on Nilesat and 12111 on Arabsat. — SG
