Deutsche Welle is increasing the Arabic programming on DW-TV once again. Starting November 3, 2008, Germany’s international broadcaster will offer 12 hours of programming in Arabic – instead of the eight hours that were offered up until now.
The expansion of the programming volume is accompanied by more regionalized content. “By tailoring our content for Northern Africa, Sudan, the Arabic countries and Iraq we can help improve the intercultural dialogue there,” says Bettermann. “This is a very heterogeneous region that differs not only geographically, but in its political and cultural characteristics as well – our content needs to represent that.”
The 12-hour programming schedule for DW-TV Arabia will be characterized by the latest news from politics, business, culture, society and sport. The schedule will be complemented by documentaries and features dubbed in Arabic and magazines with Arabic subtitles.
DW-TV Arabia is broadcast via Nilesat 102 and Hotbird 8. Its balanced mix of English and Arabic reaches more than 10 million viewers in more than 20 countries from Morocco to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. A live stream is also available on the Internet.
Corresponding with the programming expansion in November, Bettermann announced a joint project with a partner in the Arabic world. “We will start working with the Moroccan national broadcaster SNRT to produce Culture Salon – a show that examines the world of art and culture in Europe and Arabic countries.” This is the third co-production that has been developed by Deutsche Welle and its partners in the Arabic world in the last year.
“The populace in Arabic countries is young – around 50 percent of the people are under 25 years of age,” explains Bettermann. Co-production projects with partners in these countries are especially interesting for a younger audience – a market that DW-TV is looking to for the future.
All of these co-productions are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. “Working with select partner stations is an essential part of our sales strategy,” says Bettermann. “It helps us to reach the people who represent our most important target audience.”
(Source: Deutsche Welle)
