MBC Drama (Saudi TV channel)
Saudi Arabian television channel launched in 2010
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MBC Drama (Arabic: إم بي سي دراما) is a Saudi Arabian free-to-air television channel owned by MBC Group. It broadcasts drama series, with a particular focus on Arabic drama.[1][2]
Horn of Africa (peripheral free-to-air via satellite)
United States and Europe (pay-TV)
| |
| Type | Satellite television |
|---|---|
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Broadcast area | Middle East and North Africa (main audience free-to-air) Horn of Africa (peripheral free-to-air via satellite) United States and Europe (pay-TV) |
| Headquarters | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Programming | |
| Language | Arabic |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) 576i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | MBC Group |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | 27 November 2010 |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| MBC Shahid | Watch Online (HD) |
| YouTube | Official YouTube channel |
Programming and presentation
MBC Drama broadcasts a wide range of drama series, with a particular focus on Arabic productions. Its programming includes Egyptian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Levantine, Syrian, Bedouin, and Gulf dramas, many of which air as first-run or exclusive broadcasts. The channel is also distinguished by scheduling additional repeat airings throughout the day.
MBC Drama also produces and airs original Arabic programming. As of 2022[update], the channel broadcast original series such as Stiletto and Heera.[3][4]
The channel’s on-air presentation includes high-definition idents filmed using high-speed cameras operating at 1000–1500 frames per second, creating a smooth slow-motion effect. An HD simulcast, MBC Drama HD, was launched on 1 July 2011.
In addition to Arabic content, MBC Drama has aired dubbed international films as part of the MBC Group’s programming strategy. Following the success of the Indian film Jodhaa Akbar, MBC Group secured a deal to broadcast 32 Indian films.[5] These films were later aired on MBC Drama and MBC 1 as part of a dubbed films package aimed at Arab audiences.