Leading communications company Ooredoo has partnered with MBC Group, a free-to-air satellite broadcasting company, to launch a new high definition (HD) Arabic content channel on its IPTV service in Qatar.

The new MBC + Ooredoo channel launch is part of a multi-year MoU the duo had signed last year, which gave Ooredoo exclusive rights to some of the MBC’s HD channels in Qatar.

With this latest partnership, Ooredoo tv customers will now be able to exclusively enjoy a brand new channel and that will include a selection of MBC’s best Arabic content, said the statement from the Qatari group.

Ooredoo and MBC Group hosted a star-studded event at the Museum of Islamic Art last night to launch the new channel. It was attended by Ooredoo Qatar CEO Waleed Al Sayed, MBC Group CEO Sam Barnett and a host of MBC talent including "Sabah Al Khair Ya Arab" star Khaled Al Shaer, reporter and broadcaster Ali Al Ghofaily, journalist Ola Al-Fares, as well as presenter Ghada Mussali from MBC1 and presenter Mariam Said from ET Bil Arabi.

The MBC + Ooredoo, which will be available on channel 180, will boast of top programmes inlcuding Tabakh Al Sultan, Scoop, Dahsha, El Hokm, El Hob Al Halal and much more.

Speaking at the launch, Al Sayed said: "Since its launch Ooredoo tv has offered the latest and best content, whether live, On Demand or on the go via the Ooredoo tv App."

"This is the latest step in our vision of offering leading local and international content to Qatar and we hope you enjoy the wide range of programmes we have selected especially for Ooredoo tv customers in HD," he noted.

Expressing delight at partnership with Ooredoo, Barnett said: "The speed and sophistication of the network provided by Ooredoo means that viewers in Qatar are able to experience audiovisual content at industry leading levels of quality."
 
"It was only a few months ago when we announced our intention to work together, and now today our combined teams are ready to launch both MBC+ Ooredoo and our premium Video On Demand service Shahid Plus," he added.-TradeArabia News Service