ASLI, which means original in many of the region’ s languages, is OSN’ s latest strategic offering and will be live in early 2018 through the company’ s existing OTT platform WAVO, and will be free for viewers.

By introducing this platform OSN has now become the first entertainment network in the MENA to curate and provide an online platform where regional content creators can showcase their original material. ASLI will champion short to medium form content so that in one click viewers will be able to enjoy diverse content across various genres including; travel and culture, adventure and lifestyle comedy, music, art, audio podcasts, food and sports.

“ OSN is the region’ s leading entertainment network,” noted chief executive officer of OSN, Martin Stewart.“ We have been ASLI for more than two decades, which is why we are deeply committed and fond of this region and its people, who like us, love great entertainment. As we strive to continue to

reshape the entertainment landscape in this region, home to such amazing talent, it is with extreme pride and excitement that we now deliver ASLI; an online curated publishing platform, where content creators can license and showcase their unique work to reach a vast audience.”

“ Viewers hungry for curated original content from the region will now be able to freely browse a catalogue on ASLI, through WAVO,” added Ismat Abidi, producer of ASLI and legal counsel at OSN.“ All ASLI content will be subtitled in both Arabic and English and content creators will no longer need to worry about chasing algorithms, selling their work or relying on sponsorships

or commissioned projects. They will automatically be featured in a place quality regional content deserves to be, alongside world class content on WAVO, while retaining the intellectual property rights and full creative control of their work. ASLI overcomes one of the biggest frustrations of content creators in this region. It allows content creators to focus on what they enjoy the most, telling great stories from this region, for the world.”

Launched earlier in 2017 as the network’ s OTT offering to the region, WAVO capitalises on some of OSN’ s exclusive partnerships with leading studios such as HBO and Disney, giving subscribers in the region unprecedented access to shows such as Westworld, Game of Thrones and Big Little Lies, as well as Disney family favourites to add tremendous value for subscribers, who will now gain access to original content from regional talent through ASLI.

Some of the region’ s existing content creators who will initially be featured on ASLI are Peeta Planet, Punny Pun Times, Kerning Cultures, The Planet, What Doesn’ t Suck, Waastaa / Halla Walla and The Scene Club.

MENA anti-piracy coalition helps close 30 pirate channels

The MENA Broadcast

Satellite Anti-Piracy Coalition has celebrated the shutting down of 30 Arabic and western pirate TV channels since the summer. Another 26 channels have recently stopped violating copyrights. The Coalition hailed measures taken by members in the ongoing efforts against TV piracy between April and September 2017.

“ With this latest series of actions, the satellite broadcast industry in the region has effectively cleansed itself of the piracy scourge that has been damaging us since 2012,” declared Sam Barnett, MBC Group CEO.“ This has only

happened because of the effective collaboration of producers, broadcasters and satellite operators. Even last week, we have heard news of Egyptian film producers signing new deals with legitimate TV stations – deals that previously would not have happened due to piracy. This is a big boost for the sector.”

The Coalition also reaffirmed its commitment to remain fully engaged in protecting content against illegal satellite distribution,

and agreed to widen its focus to IPTV and OTT piracy.

Members of the Coalition also discussed the growing threat from illegal internet streaming and downloads, and agreed to work together to strengthen their relationship with authorities in his context.

“ We need to build on the great successes achieved by the coalition so far,” asserted Okke Delfos Visser, head of the legal department of the MPA in Europe and the

Middle East and Africa.“ We now need to solidify our efforts in tackling satellite piracy and open a new front into online, such as IPTV and illicit streaming device piracy.”

Raed Al Hout, IP specialist, Office of the US IP Attaché for the Middle East and North Africa, confirmed that the body would continue coordinating with relevant IP enforcement agencies, including the US National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center( IPR Center) in supporting the important work of the Coalition, and“ looked forward to building upon their collaborative endeavours in future initiatives.”

In a joint commitment, the Coalition members also agreed to collaborate and develop an online siteblocking IPTV strategy.

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