OSN launches Kids Zone channel

Middle East pay TV provider OSN has launched a new kids channel, OSN Kids Zone, in partnership with Mega Max Media and Middle East distributor Magmedia International.

The channel, aimed at kids aged two to eight, includes shows such as Barney & Friends, Thomas & Friends (pictured), Transformers Rescue Bots, Heroes of the City and My Little Pony.

All shows are aired with Arabic and English audio options.

Kidzone TV was first launched in 2013 in Estonia and Lithuania, with a Latvian version following in 2014. Mega Max Media also offers a movie channel, Filmzone, that is also available in the Baltic states.

“Mega Max Media started its first project in Baltic countries with TV channel KidzoneTV, four years ago,” said Pavol Miller, executive director of Mega Max Media. “We put the channel together with top quality programming, which is fully dubbed in Arabic, exclusively for OSN. Now we are ready to offer our services to even more operators and make tailored exclusive TV channels according their specific requirements.” 

Emad Morcos, chief content officer at OSN said: “OSN Kidzone has been specifically created to bring in fun and educational content for younger kids. We continue to build on the success of our children proposition on OSN and bring them the most loved animation from around the world.”

Magnus Simons, CEO of Magmedia International, said: “We are continuing to work together to provide top quality localised content for the families enjoying OSN. I am looking forward to working closely with Mega Max Media and offering exclusive programming to operators around the world creating special and unique channels that perfectly meet their requirements and the desires of their audience.”

OSN, which is facing intense competition from BeIN Media in the Middle East, recently relaunched its offering, introducing a range of new packages and price points, as well as striking a major deal with Disney to launch additional on-demand services.

The move followed Qatar-based BeIN Media’s move into entertainment programming in addition to its core sports-based offering. BeIN Media earlier this month revealed that it was preparing the launch of multiple on-demand services in partnership with Hollywood studios, new channels including a box office channel, and an electronic sell-through offering.