Qvest Media has been awarded the contract to design and build the complete production and broadcasting infrastructure for Alarab news channel in Manama, Bahrain. 

 

The appointment was approved by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, owner of Alarab news channel.

 

Prince Alwaleed said: “AlArab news channel will have the most advanced infrastructure in the Middle East.”

 

Fahad Alsukait, CEO, Alarab news channel, added: “Our investment in the founding of AlArab news channel is a ground-breaking step forward in terms of media policy – not only for Bahrain but also for the entire Gulf region.”

 

Jamal Khashoggi, general manager of Alarab news channel, said: “As an independent regional broadcaster, AlArab will offer its audiences a unique and up-to-the-second programme of news, as well as innovative news formats of its own.”

 

Thomas Müller, general manager of Qvest Media, said: “About eight months ago we tendered a bid for this very demanding project. Now that we have been awarded the contract, we are very happy that the project concept we developed for the tender will now be realised.”

 

End-to-end file-based workflows, a high level of automation for all production processes, a centralised media asset management system across all areas of production, as well as HDTV distribution for satellite and multi-platform live streaming and VOD are but a few of the key features that Qvest Media has been asked to integrate, a statement said.

 

Part of the German Wellen+Nöthen Group, this specialist for consulting and development, systems integration and technical support services will be responsible for the entire technical implementation and integration of three studios with interconnected control rooms. This includes, among others, state-of-the-art robotic and manual camera systems, sound technology, as well as the latest technologies for infrastructure monitoring, editing, graphics and editorial processes, the statement said.

 

The fully-integrated production and broadcasting platform will be equipped exclusively with products and systems from renowned international manufacturers. 

 

The agreement to set up the Alarab channel headquarters in Manama was signed in 2012 during Prince Alwaleed’s visit to the kingdom. 

 

Alarab is a 24-hour channel which will target Arabic-speaking viewers across the Arab world and beyond. 

 

Prince Alwaleed also announced an agreement with Bloomberg LP in which Bloomberg will support the creation of five hours of financial and economic news programing throughout the day on the channel. 

 

The Alarab news channel is an independent venture from Kingdom Holding Company and the Rotana group and is privately owned by Prince Alwaleed. – TradeArabia News Service