Sharjah Media Corporation’s (SMC) Sharjah Television was among those honoured at the recently held New York Festivals World’s Best TV & Films Awards – a competition that has been recognising excellence in programming in all lengths and forms from over 40 countries, for the past 59 years.Securing a Silver World Medal in the ‘Station / Network ID’ category, Sharjah TV topped the list of winners despite winning the silver medal, after the Higher Organising Committee had announced withholding the Gold World Medal for the same category.  

Sharjah TV entered into the competition with nine promos that reflected the channel’s unique identity, each highlighting the emirate’s prominent landmarks through rich, creative visual content. SMC’s expert technical team complied with the highest international standards and best technical know-how in media production to create the nine promos. 

The team that has worked on the promo’s included Mohammed Tomah, Creative Department Director; TV Director, Haifa Bu Futtaim; Abdul Razzaq Suleiman, Director of Lighting and Videography; and Abdul Aziz Ali, Production Manager, who worked alongside the creativity management team. 

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council and Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation, said: “Securing a prestigious international award in visual media is not just a victory for SMC, but for the entire media fraternity of the UAE. It is a clear recognition of our quality and leadership. 

“Since its inception, SMC has opted to establish a strong presence in the Arab and global media landscape, with the provision of quality content. Our viewers are our top priority, who we serve continually through our production expertise and optimal staff performance.”

The SMC Chairman concluded by observing that this new achievement marks a brand-new phase of hard work and dedicated efforts for the Corporation – an event that will reinforce its mission and vision for the local, Arab and global media, leading to new developments that will sharpen their overall profile.

Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of SMC, said: “The sound vision adopted by Sharjah TV has yielded many positive results; the winning of the NYF’s World’s Best TV & Films being one of the most monumental achievements. It is certainly a groundbreaking achievement for us, and a testament to our dedication to the media arts, our high production standards and adherence of regulations chosen by the organisation.

“SMC moves ahead in line with the directives and vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, whose consolidation of the principles of meaningful work has laid the foundations for SMC and other media outlets in Sharjah.” 

Sharjah Media Corporation (SMC), a government organisation dedicated to developing the media industry in Sharjah, was established in 2009. A number of television channels and radio stations operate under its umbrella, namely: Sharjah TV, Sharjah Sports, Sharqiya TV from Kalba, Al Wousta TV from Al Dhaid, Sharjah Radio and Quran Radio.

They have broadcasted a series of outstanding programmes aimed at enriching the local and Arab media landscape, such as Fatawa, Amasi, Literature and Art, Local News (Akhbar Al Dar), the Nine O'Clock News, Sharjah’s Morning, Red Box, Youth Show (Tala’t Shabab), With the Book (Fi Hadrat Al Kitab), and Life in Pictures, among others.