18 July 2011
JEDDAH: Ongoing political incidents in Arab countries that produce the majority of TV shows in the Middle East and North Africa region has had an adverse effect on Ramadan television schedules.
It is customary for Arab satellite channels to broadcast TV shows especially produced for the holy month, which is just two weeks away.
According to industry sources, it is not clear yet what these channels will be showing for their viewers. With Egypt and Syria busy dealing with civil and political unrest, producers have turned to Gulf dramas, especially from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to fill the void.
The sources said the Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has picked up three Saudi television shows to be shown during Ramadan including "Tash," which stars Nasser Al-Qasabi and Abdullah Al-Sadhan and has aired for 18 consecutive years during the holy month. The others are "Umm Al-Hala" and "Masaqeel."
Umm Al-Hala will be aired for the second year running and will shed light on some of life's difficulties in a satirical style. Saudi actors Mishaal Al-Mitairi and Draian Al-Driaan star in the soap opera.
Another popular Saudi TV show "Saeed Al-Haz" ("Lucky Person" is also scheduled to air this Ramadan. The show focuses on people working in a scrapyard who face a lot of difficulties with customers, especially those involved in accidents. The serial also tackles a number of social issues. A number of Gulf actors including Muhammad Al-Essa and Abdul Naser Darweesh star in the show.
It is not clear what Egyptian satellite channels will be showing to their viewers. Just two days ago channel bosses stopped the drama "Samara" from being aired in protest of the show's star Ghada Abdul Raziq, who was blacklisted for standing against the revolution and supporting deposed President Hosni Mubarak.
All Arab channels except one in the Gulf region have abstained from showing the serial.
According to the sources, Egyptian television and radio productions will allow the depiction of Mubarak and his controversial son Jamal in a scene or two.
Mubarak's eldest son Alaa will feature in the third episode of "Al-Dali" that also stars famous Egyptian actor Nur Al-Sharif.
Mubarak's last speeches will be shown in a soap opera called "Al-Zanati Mujahid."
© Arab News 2011
JEDDAH: Ongoing political incidents in Arab countries that produce the majority of TV shows in the Middle East and North Africa region has had an adverse effect on Ramadan television schedules.
It is customary for Arab satellite channels to broadcast TV shows especially produced for the holy month, which is just two weeks away.
According to industry sources, it is not clear yet what these channels will be showing for their viewers. With Egypt and Syria busy dealing with civil and political unrest, producers have turned to Gulf dramas, especially from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to fill the void.
The sources said the Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has picked up three Saudi television shows to be shown during Ramadan including "Tash," which stars Nasser Al-Qasabi and Abdullah Al-Sadhan and has aired for 18 consecutive years during the holy month. The others are "Umm Al-Hala" and "Masaqeel."
Umm Al-Hala will be aired for the second year running and will shed light on some of life's difficulties in a satirical style. Saudi actors Mishaal Al-Mitairi and Draian Al-Driaan star in the soap opera.
Another popular Saudi TV show "Saeed Al-Haz" ("Lucky Person" is also scheduled to air this Ramadan. The show focuses on people working in a scrapyard who face a lot of difficulties with customers, especially those involved in accidents. The serial also tackles a number of social issues. A number of Gulf actors including Muhammad Al-Essa and Abdul Naser Darweesh star in the show.
It is not clear what Egyptian satellite channels will be showing to their viewers. Just two days ago channel bosses stopped the drama "Samara" from being aired in protest of the show's star Ghada Abdul Raziq, who was blacklisted for standing against the revolution and supporting deposed President Hosni Mubarak.
All Arab channels except one in the Gulf region have abstained from showing the serial.
According to the sources, Egyptian television and radio productions will allow the depiction of Mubarak and his controversial son Jamal in a scene or two.
Mubarak's eldest son Alaa will feature in the third episode of "Al-Dali" that also stars famous Egyptian actor Nur Al-Sharif.
Mubarak's last speeches will be shown in a soap opera called "Al-Zanati Mujahid."
© Arab News 2011
