The mena.tv Content Hub, a B2B content listings platform that gives regional content buyers easy access to TV shows from around the world, has won the Best Distribution Initiative of 2017 award at the TBI Content Innovation Awards, held on the eve of MIPCOM 2017

The award came as something of a surprise to industry observers, because mena.tv was amongst a shortlist that included industry giants Viacom International Media Networks and Endemol Shine International.

“mena.tv is already marketing content from 15 regional power houses. There is a mix of high quality, original first run productions such as Big World and Rijal Hawl Arrasool and major shows such as Bassem Youssef’s America Bel Arabi,” said Heba Korayem, client director for the mena.tv Content Hub. “But that is just the beginning: MIPCOM was a busy week for us, and our registered buyers in the region will soon be seeing content from across the globe,” she added.

Artem Zapolskyi of MK-Distribution, a distribution company headquartered in Ukraine, said: “The Arabic content market is very interesting to us, but can be tough to navigate. The mena.tv content hub has helped us find high quality Arabic content and put us in direct touch with the authorised rights holders. Now we will also begin marketing international shows to MENA buyers”.

The mena.tv Content Hub has already made content deals between countries such as the USA, Turkey, Egypt and the UAE. “It’s great to see the global industry understanding what we are doing,” said Nick Grande, MD of ChannelSculptor. “The lack of transparency and liquidity in the MENA content market that has stifled investment and growth for too long. The mena.tv Content Hub aims to make it easier to license great TV to and from the region.”