Dubai-based online platform, mena.tv Content Hub, which hosts more than 250 registered buyers from over 100 MENA broadcasters and OTT platforms, has signed new deals with nine distributors and producers from USA, Japan, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Spain and France at DISCOP Dubai. Mena.tv’s Founder Nick Grande said he expects more deals to be signed from Europe, South America and Asia.

Speaking about the response to mena.tv at DISCOP, Grande said: “The response we received at DISCOP was fantastic. It’s very reassuring to see the international industry recognising the strength and depth of our market access here.”

France’s CPB International, a major producer and distributor of films, TV drama and documentaries is one of the companies that has signed up with mena.tv.

Julie Tolza, Head of Sales & Acquisitions at CPB remarked: “We are keen to enhance our collaboration in the MENA region. We developed strong relationships with major broadcasters like MBC, Al Arabiya, and Al Jazeera networks, and we would like reach out to other broadcasters and platforms in MENA, many of which are seeking our unique content”

The platform, which features a large selection of content from around the region, has also attracted MENA buyers including new regional OTT platforms like Starz Play, Grande added.

Maaz Sheikh, CEO of Starzplay, noted: “We are always on the lookout for premium content for our customer offering. Themena.tv Content Hub is helping our buying team find new titles and connect directly with the rights holders”

Buyer enquiries come from all around the MENA region, claimed Grande.

He also noted that there has been global interest in Arabic content especially from Germany, Ireland and South Africa.

Cairo-based production house Advice Media’s new social thriller The Street Behind Us, for instance, was listed on Mena.tv and has attracted both regional and international buyers.

“Our main objective when it comes to Arabic drama is to raise the bar,” explained Magdy El Hawary, CEO of Advice Media.

“The Street Behind Us, was locally sourced and produced, but made to international standards. It is attracting regional buyers, but we’ve also had international interest after it was listed on the mena.tv Content Hub.”