Arab media giant MBC Group has signed a five-year agreement with Turkish production companies, Medyapim and Ay Yapim.

The five-year partnership – unveiled at MIPCOM Cannes 2022 – will see a host of Turkish content shared exclusively with MBC Group via “First Look” and volume deal agreements, along with original Arabic-language content being produced for the MENA market.

Commenting on the partnership, Sam Barnett, CEO of MBC Group, said: “It’s no secret that Turkish content is extremely popular with MENA audiences – it’s a genre that has been rising in popularity in this region since the early noughties.

“With two fantastic Turkish production houses – Medyapim and Ay Yapim – coming on board and collaborating with MBC Group, not only are audiences going to receive first access to upcoming Turkish TV hits, but we’re also going to focus on exchanging expertise and knowledge to produce some exciting Arabic-language dramas and other programs, shot in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and rest of the MENA region. We’re thrilled to have Medyapim and Ay Yapim on board.”

Fatih Aksoy, President of Medyapim, added: “We are very happy to announce a new and very exciting cooperation with MBC Group. It is our most sincere wish that this will be a most delightful endeavor for both parties, and also the beginning of a long-standing partnership.”

Kerem Çatay, CEO of Ay Yapim, stated: “Fifteen years ago, MBC Group was home to the first foreign network to broadcast an Ay Yapim series. They were leaders then, and they are leaders now. That’s why I’m so happy to be teaming up with MBC Group to create this new chapter in drama. I know we will do great things together!”

Focusing on Turkish content, upcoming titles produced by Medyapim and Ay Yapim will appear exclusively as “First Look” titles in MENA or as part of a volume deal agreement via MBC’s TV channels, as well as Shahid, the Arabic streaming platform by MBC Group.

The “First Look” yet-to-be-announced titles – all dubbed in Arabic – will broadcast in MENA concurrently with their airing dates in Turkey.

Furthermore, selected Turkish titles are set to be made available on Shahid’s wider network worldwide.

Secondly, shifting to locally-produced content, MBC Group will work with Medyapim and Ay Yapim to co-develop and commission a number of Arabic-language productions, scheduled to begin filming in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and surrounding territories in the region in the coming years.

The titles will be revealed as and when production begins.