Middle Eastern pay-TV giant OSN has acquired the regional rights for U.S. media company NBCUniversal International 's science-fiction channel "Syfy" and is set to launch it in the Middle East and North Africa.
OSN's exclusive edition of Syfy, which launches July 8, will include the channel's acclaimed original science-fiction series, Japanese animation, Hollywood science-fiction blockbusters, among a number of other science-fiction and fantasy programming.
The series include Syfy's hit reality show "Face Off," in which make-up and special effects artists compete against each other in a series of challenges, the drama "Killjoys," which follows a trio of bounty hunters who chase deadly warrants across multiple planets and the drama "Dark Matter," which follows a spaceship crew as they awaken with no recollection of how they got there.
As for the films, OSN's Syfy will offer classic hits including "The Mummy" and "King Kong" and modern blockbusters such as "The Incredible Hulk" and "Doom." Most of the channel's content will include Arabic subtitles.
"Science fiction enjoys great popularity in the region, especially among youth," said CCO of OSN Emad Morco, according to Hollywood Reporter .
"The addition of this globally renowned channel only on OSN further defines our credentials as the go-to network for all cutting-edge content. Syfy will be a great value addition for our subscribers who seek innovative and world-class programming."
OSN recently acquired Viacom's comedy channel "Comedy Central" and launched it last month in MENA, including acclaimed shows such as "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah." OSN's Syfy launch comes as a part of a long-term exclusive deal the company signed with NBCUniversal last January.
The deal secured first pay window rights for OSN and exclusive over-the-top (OTT) content access on OSN Play, the award-winning digital platform for subscribers and GO, OSN's non-subscriber based online TV service.
In addition, the deal gave OSN exclusive rights to the popular channel "E! Entertainment Television" in Arabic, with localized entertainment programming in Arabic and prime-time programming that is dubbed or subtitled in Arabic.
“Our partnership with NBCUniversal International not only consolidates our presence in the market but also reflects our commitment to delivering sought-after content first and exclusively to our viewers," said CEO of OSN David Butorac, commenting on the deal in January .
"We do not operate as just content carriers; we also work with our partners to ensure that we can customize their content for the local market." Butorac added that partnerships like NBCUniversal's are what allow OSN to dominate the space of original and exclusive programming in MENA.