MBC Group and Etisalat have announced that over 8 million videos have been viewed through “internet TV” platform on MBC’s 'Shahed Online' offering since its launch in Ramadan 2008.

According to Etisalat’s analysis, over 3 million visitors, of whom 65 per cent are from the Middle East, have viewed 8 million videos on the Etisalat-powered Web site www.mbc.net/shahid.

This has created a valuable new proposition for MBC’s advertising partners who have enjoyed over 5 million, 5-second pre-roll ads and  hundreds of thousands of post-roll ads, said Dr Ammar Bakkar, group director of New Media at mbc group.

'Internet TV is a next-generation distribution channel which has the capability to deliver both a verifiable and global reach. Our 'Shahed Online' service is a success story which we can share with our advertising partners and provide a new and efficient way of implementing their media strategy,' he pointed out.

'These results clearly show that Internet TV is a channel that has the power and ability to attract customers and build brand value,' he quipped.

Etisalat and MBC had launched the 'Internet TV' on September 10, 2008 with MBC’s top 9 programmes available for free, on demand. Today there are over 34 shows available online, including entertainment, religious and drama series.

“Internet TV will change the way broadcasters showcase content and customers access television entertainment. This initiative has shown the potential for Internet TV and provided verifiable and immediate results to MBC’s advertising partners,' explained Essa Al Haddad, chief marketing officer at Etisalat.

'Over the last 30 years Etisalat has invested widely in intercontinental submarine cables and has developed into the regional hub for content and connectivity.'

'This makes Etisalat the premier choice for TV companies and other content providers to develop Internet delivery channels,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service