Warner Bros. Discovery and SRMG partner for Arabic FTA channel launch

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced a partnership with leading MENA media group SRMG to launch a new free-to-air Arabic language channel.

Asharq Discovery will be exclusively available in the MENA region, and offer a wide range of content from both companies’ portfolios. The channel’s remit will span across pop science and engineering, motoring and turbo, wildlife and nature, adventure and travel, reality and lifestyle, and crime mystery documentaries.

Warner Bros. Discovery and SRMG will also co-produce local programming for Asharq Discovery that will be distributed globally through the Discovery Global network.

The channel is set to launch in 2023 via broadcast, streaming and third-party local apps, with a catch-up facility available on OTT platforms.

Jamie Cooke, GM CEE, Middle East & Turkey at Warner Bros. Discovery said: “The MENA entertainment industry has been undergoing an incredible transformation and exponential growth, posing great potential and offering immense opportunities for content players and consumers. 

“Having established our Discovery brand in linear channels and successfully launching our non-fictional streaming service discovery+ last year, we believe launching a new FTA channel in MENA with the homegrown powerhouse, SRMG is a solid step for us to build a 360 ecosystem of entertainment. This partnership will also support our MENA business development strategy to increase our presence in KSA,” says 

Jomana Al Rashid, SRMG CEO, said: “Our new strategic collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery will further bolster our ability to deliver dynamic, innovative, and exciting Arabic content, through new multiple formats and platforms. This partnership is a further demonstration of SRMG’s unrelenting focus and commitment to its consumer-centric approach; bringing our audiences engaging and premium content – when, where and how they want it. Discovery has an unrivalled legacy of producing cutting-edge, high-quality documentaries. We look forward to working together to deliver co-commissioned quality content, provide new job opportunities and best-in-class training, as well as tap into a new global network for our growing audiences.”