Middle East VOD platform signs deals ahead of launch

icflix, the new video-on-demand platform coming out of the Middle East, has secured major content deals with Turner Broadcasting, Italy’s Mondo TV and Canada’s DHX Media.

The platform is set to go live across the Middle East and North Africa in July as the Middle East’s first dedicated streamed programming platform and is currently deep in final discussions with the major studios and other film and TV content providers.

Among key deals secured ahead of launch, Turner Broadcasting System Arabia will provide icflix programmes from pay TV network Cartoon Network Arabia.

iclfix also has a deal in place with Canuck kids’ TV distributor DHX, which gives it exclusive local rights to the animated Super Mario series, plus children’s series such as Calilou and Arthur. All three shows will be available in Arabic, English and French.

The final deal sees Italian children’s content house Mondo providing TV series and movies in three languages. Programming includes Cinderella, Pocahontas and Robin Hood.

Financial terms of the deals were not revealed.

TBI unveiled details of icflix in April. The on-demand service will offer a mix of Hollywood, Bollywood and what it describes as ‘Jazwood’ (Middle Eastern studio series and films) content across computers, smart phones, tablets, smart TVs and gaming consoles.