Shahid VIP owner MBC & MGM strike international drama co-pro pact

Rola Bauer

MGM International Television Productions has struck a multi-year deal with Middle East giant MBC Group to develop and co-produce original international series together.

MBC Group will air series exclusively throughout the Middle East & Northern Africa on MBC’s Shahid VIP streaming service, with MGM handling coproduction and distribution for the rest of the world.

MBC is a regional partner for MGM on dystopian miniseries Last Light, which is being produced for Peacock and Viaplay owner NENT Group, as well as romantic drama Billy The Kid, which will debut on Epix in the US later this year.

Sheikh Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, MBC Group chairman, said his company was “uniquely positioned to tell stories that will combine regional focus with global interest”, adding that the new deal marked “a major step forward in diversifying the group and building on its current strengths.”

Rola Bauer, president of MGM International TV Productions, added: “This partnership with our friends at MBC is to develop the best stories and connect storytellers from East and West. We will jointly create original series that are crossing borders, breaking boundaries and will kickstart conversations, all around the globe.”

MBC has been ramping up its output for Shahid VIP over the past few years, with upcoming shows including Gerard Butler-starring action film Kandahar, Anthony Mackie’s Desert Warrior and love story Bride Of Beirut.