78% of consumers want to watch TV on mobile devices

Dubai, 19 March 2012:  OSN has today announced the launch of OSN Play, the region's first online TV platform, allowing its customers to watch the latest movies and series over the Internet on a variety of devices, anywhere, anytime at no extra charge to OSN subscribers.

The launch of 'OSN Play' comes as consumers widen the devices they use for viewing entertainment, showing increased usage of the Internet and social networking.  New research shows that 40% of consumers would like to watch TV on their laptops, with a further 38% wanting to use their iPad or tablet device. An additional 19% would like to watch their favorite programme on their mobile phones.

David Butorac, CEO of OSN said: "OSN Play will allow customers to get the best out of their OSN subscription. It's a great way to put viewers in charge of their entertainment and experience the TV they love wherever and whenever they choose. OSN remains committed to being at the forefront of technological advancement and OSN Play will continue to expand to a wide range of digital devices in the coming weeks."

OSN's exclusive deals with major studios including Warner Brothers, Fox and Disney guarantees viewers a line-up of the biggest and best movies and series from Hollywood and beyond. Currently, hundreds of hours of premium content are available for online viewing by OSN subscribers, with both an English and Arabic online interface.

The recent research shows that if they could use any device, anywhere, 39% of consumers would watch movies, 13% would watch series, and a further 12% would watch sports. With the launch of the new OSN Play platform, customers will be able to do just this, and have more control and choice over how, when and where they enjoy their favorite progammes.

OSN Play will have full parental control that allows users to set content ratings to ensure only appropriate content can be viewed. In addition, to support the launch, a full portfolio of online support information with simple guides on how to enjoy OSN Play is available for customers. Access to the OSN Play platform will be limited to two registered devices at any one time.

OSN Play will be rolled out across a variety of devices including iOS (Apple products), Smart TV, Android tablets, mobile devices and Game Consoles throughout the year.

The research was conducted by OSN to OSN customers based in the UAE, KSA, Egypt and Kuwait during telephone interviews held between 27th February and 1st March 2012. The survey respondents were aged between 15 and 45+ years of age.

OSN is the ultimate destination for the widest choice of brand new premium Western, Arabic and Filipino entertainment in the Middle East and Africa. OSN is the home of 100 channels filled with great value entertainment, offering viewers in the MENA region exclusive access to the latest blockbuster movies, top rated series, sports, documentaries, news, kid's entertainment, and live talk shows. The movie offering includes over a 100 movie premieres a month uncut and with no commercial breaks so viewers can watch movies the way they were meant to be watched.

OSN boasts the most comprehensive portfolio of exclusive rights from all the major studios including Warner Brothers, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM, Universal and DreamWorks and offers access to the worlds leading television brands including Disney channel, Sky News, Discovery Network and Nat Geo.

As the leader in innovation, OSN has changed the TV viewing experience in the region and brings viewers quality entertainment through 26 High Definition channels and currently is the only network offering a full HD bouquet of channels as well as 3D entertainment in the region. OSN was the first to launch the DVR, the OSN SHOWBOX HD, and the region's first VOD service, OSN on Demand offering viewers the opportunity to watch over 1000 movies and over 52 latest seasons of the top series over the year in full HD quality and Dolby Digital sound.

The OSN Platform is owned and operated by Panther Media Group; a company registered in DIFC and is owned by Mawarid Group and KIPCO.

Alison Wilcox
Public Relations Manager
OSN
Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 (0) 4 367 7160
Mobile: +971 (0) 50 6583122
Email: alison.wilcox@osn.com
 
Mahmoud Al-Aloosy
Public Relations Executive
OSN
Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE
Tel: + 971 (0) 4 367 7198
Fax: + 971 (0) 4 367 7550
Mobile: +971 (0) 50 6542410
Email: mahmoud.aloosy@osn.com

© Press Release 2012