Latest news with #WATCHIT
Korea Herald
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
iQIYI expands MENA presence with MENA Branch launch and local partnership, elevating Chinese storytelling worldwide
BEIJING, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iQIYI, China's leading online entertainment platform, has taken two major steps recently to deepen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, signaling continued ambition in the overseas market. On May 11, the company signed a content partnership with Egypt's leading Arabic streaming platform WATCH IT. Three days after, it officially launched iQIYI MENA Branch in Dubai, marking a stronger operational foothold in the region. Grounded in extensive market research, these moves are part of iQIYI's broader localization strategy, aimed at amplifying Chinese storytelling abroad while integrating more regional content into its global ecosystem. The company has identified MENA as a market with a long history and huge potential, driven by a rising demand for digital entertainment. Under the new partnership, WATCH IT will stream a curated slate of iQIYI's premium Chinese-language films and shows — including top-rated series such as "Road Home" and "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" — through its established regional network. In return, iQIYI's main platform will feature WATCH IT's original humanities documentary series "Mother of the World," which draws upon archaeological evidence to showcase the development of ancient Egyptian civilization. iQIYI International will also introduce WATCH IT's select Arabic-language original content, enriching its overseas content ecosystem. "WATCH IT is deeply rooted in the Egyptian and Middle Eastern markets, with robust production and distribution capabilities," said Zhaonan WANG, vice president and editor-in-chief of iQIYI. "Through this collaboration, we hope to better serve MENA audiences and use film and television as a bridge for cultural exchange." With the new branch launched in Dubai, iQIYI continues to better serve local customers. With a content strategy tailored to local tastes, iQIYI has curated a dedicated MENA content library featuring Chinese-language dramas, movies, animation, and variety shows adapted to local customs. The platform endeavors to continue optimizing the playback experience for MENA's network environment and is in discussion with local telecom operators to extend viewing options. In addition to the WATCH IT partnership, iQIYI has also collaborated with evision, the media and entertainment arm of e&, since June 2014 to distribute over 20 popular Chinese dramas, animations, and movies to MENA viewers via evision's free streaming service STARZ ON. Speaking in Dubai, Xianghua YANG, president of iQIYI's Movie & Overseas Business Group, noted the key support of ongoing collaborations with local partners in advancing the company's continued development in MENA. With the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as its core, iQIYI aims to gradually cover the Gulf region. The launch of iQIYI MENA Branch in Dubai further strengthens the platform's global footprint, following the debut of its international website, and iQIYI International App in 2019, as well as the opening of its international headquarters in Singapore in 2020. Since then, the company has established four key operational regions — Southeast Asia, North America, Japan and South Korea, and MENA — as it strives to become the home for beloved Asian content for audiences worldwide. Today, iQIYI's content reaches audiences in over 190 countries and regions. iQIYI International currently supports user interface and subtitles in 12 languages, including English, Thai, Indonesian, Korean, Spanish, and Arabic.
Egypt Independent
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
Where and when to watch Donia Samir Ghanem's ‘Aisha al Dour' this Ramadan
Donia Samir Ghanem returns to Ramadan dramas in 2025 with 'Aisha al Dour' (Playing a Role), set to premiere in the second half of the holy month. ON channels will broadcast the series at 7:15 pm, with a repeat at 11:30 am. It will also be available for streaming on the WATCH IT and Shahid platforms. Ghanem plays the role of Aisha, a divorced woman and mother of two. A strange twist of fate sees her playing a double role as a university student. Joining Ghanem in the 15-episode series are Mohamed Tharwat, Samaa Ibrahim, Mohamed Kilany, Rehab El Gamal, Amira Adeeb, and Fadwa Abed Ahmed al-Gendy both co-wrote with Karim Youssef and directed 'Aisha al Dour'.
Egypt Today
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Ghada Abdel Razek Revives Classic Film Shabab Emraa in a New Ramadan 2025 Drama
ON TV channel has released the official trailer of the series 'Shabab Emraa' (Women's Youth), starring Ghada Abdel Razek. The series is set to air on WATCH IT and the ON TV channel during the upcoming Ramadan 2025 season. Ghada Abdel Razek is reviving the classic film 'Shabab Emraa', originally starring Taheya Karioka and Shoukry Sarhan, in a new drama adaptation 69 years after the film's release. The series, part of the Ramadan 2025 lineup, features Youssef Omar, Hassan Abouelross, Amr Wahba, Joury Bakr, Dalia Shawky, and Mahmoud Hafez. It was written by Mohamed Soliman Abdel-Malek and directed by Ahmed Hassan. In the series, Ghada Abdel Razek portrays Shafaat, the role originally played by Taheya Karioka. Youssef Omar takes on the role of Imam, previously played by Shoukry Sarhan, while Dalia Shawky plays Salwa, a character originally portrayed by Shadia. Meanwhile, Mohamed Mahmoud plays Uncle Hasbou, a role brought to life by Abdel Wareth Asar in the classic film.
CairoScene
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Egyptian Media Authority Reveals New Drama Platform ‘Maspero'
Maspero will be the second state-backed platform dedicated to drama and aims to revive the production of drama, film and documentaries after WATCH IT. Feb 21, 2025 The Egyptian National Media Authority has revealed a new project, Maspero. This will be the second state-backed platform dedicated to drama after WATCH IT, which was established in 2019. Maspero will include a network of connected platforms: 'Maspero Podcast', 'Maspero Africa Podcast' and the 'Translation Movement', which will translate classic Egyptian dramas into foreign languages. The project will be launched in collaboration with the Ministries of Culture, Youth, Education and Health. The Media Authority has the largest audible and visual archive in the Arab world, and the project aims to digitise this huge media archive, striving to revive the production of drama, film and documentaries.
See - Sada Elbalad
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
"Zolm Al Mastaba" Drops Teaser
The official teaser for the star-studded TV series 'Zolm Al Mastaba" has been released. The series stars Eyad Nassar, Fathy Abdel Wahab, Riham Abdel Ghafour, Basma, Ahmed Azmy, and more. "Zolm Al Mastaba" consists of 15 episodes and is based on an idea by Ahmed Fawzi Saleh. It is scripted by Ahmed Fawzi Saleh, directed by Hany Khalifa and Mohamed Ali, and produced by United Studios. The drama focuses on Egyptian society and the people living below the poverty line. It also sheds light on customs, traditions, and norms. It marks the fourth collaboration between Nassar and Abdel Ghafour. They previously worked together on the TV shows "Wish Wa Dahr", "Afrah Al Koba", and "Harat Al Yahud". "Zolm Al Mastaba" is set to screen during the Ramadan 2025 drama marathon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WATCH IT (@watchit)
