With an estimated 200 million viewers across the Arab region, Ramadan TV has become huge business. Advertisers are keen to get their message out, while channels look to increase their annual profit. And making the big bucks is now more important than ever, due to the current political instability plaguing some parts of the Middle East with economies suffering.
Khulud abu Homos, senior vice president of programming at the Dubai-headquartered network OSN tells tabloid! many new content is released during the period.
“We always show new and exclusive content, but during Ramadan, I would say that new content increases by 20 per cent. This is because it is possible to commission more shows as more are available.”
Religious content, especially those targeting the youth, is important to her network, she adds.
“We have had feedback that we also get viewers from outside the Arab world who don’t follow Ramadan but want to learn more about Islam. So it is very beneficial and educational.”
But, Abu Homos warns, the deluge of special shows might not be as good as advertisers think it is.
“It actually has a detrimental effect; because ad breaks become so long, you start to lose eyeballs and viewers switch off and turn to other channels. Another thing that strikes me is the synergy of adverts with the content takes you out of sync; it impacts the viewing experience when you are watching a drama only to made to watch musical commercials in between. Obviously, when you lose viewers, you work against your target.”
The executive says Turkish dramas are still top draws in the Arab world.
“While I would love to say no, Turkish dramas are still driving viewers. The last season of Hareem Al Sultan became the highest watched show amongst Western and Arab viewers. I think one of the key attractors is that the international political situations increased curiosity about the Islamic empire.”
With Ramadan upon us tabloid! brings you the top shows not to be missed this season:
DRAMA
AL ARRAF
One of the biggest dramas of the year will no doubt be Adel Imam’s Al Arraf. This political series follows the journey of the protagonist as he forges his identity to portray various roles including that of a famous doctor in Egypt, and an ambassador with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Showing on: MBC, Zee Alwan
ASYA
Egyptian action thriller, featuring Mona Zaki as a young wife and mother of three, who mysteriously disappears one morning. Events begin to unfold as investigations into her disappearance starts.
Showing on: MBC
ADAM W GAMEELA
Yousra Al Lozy and Hassan Al Raddad star in this Egyptian love story about a young couple’s insurmountable obstacles. The series will continue after Ramadan with season two scheduled to premiere in October.
Showing on: OSN Ya Hala! HD
HEKAYAT HAYAT
Ghada Abdul Razek and Mahmoud Al Gendy feature in this series about Hayat, who discovers that her mother is in an adulterous relationship, while her sister has her eye on her own husband.
Showing on: CBC
MOGA HARRA
Khalid Salim plays an investigator, who runs into one of the biggest heads in the human trafficking networks, and unwillingly becomes involved in a mysterious murder.
Showing on: MBC
LA’ABAT AL MAWT
Lebanese actress and singer Cyrine Abel Nour stars as Naya, a beautiful woman who runs from an abusive relationship with a husband who refuses to divorce her.
Showing on: CBC
AL QASERAT
This social drama sheds light on the issue of underage marriage, from a religious, humane, and social aspect. Starring Salah Al Sa’dani.
Showing on: MBC
GHASSEN MAKSOOR
A romantic Khaleeji drama with Naif Al Rashid and Huda Khateeb.
Showing on: OSN Ya Hala! HD
NUKTAT DA’AF
Starring Jamal Sulaiman and Rania Fareed Shawki, this drama revolves around Omar, a wealthy, handsome and single dentist, who does not believe in commitment, due to his many “no-strings-attached” relationships with various ladies. Will one woman change his mind?
Showing on: MBC
AL DAIYAH
Hani Salama takes on the role of an Islamist preacher, representing how these figures currently go by their day to day business in Egypt.
Showing on: CBC
HAREEM AL SULTAN – SEASON 3
The continuing saga of Hareem Al Sultan airs over Ramadan — one of the most watched series in the Arab world. In season three, Hayam is under threat after a new lady moves in and attempts to steal the Sultan’s heart.
Showing on: OSN Ya Hala! HD, Zee Alwan
COMEDY
AL KABEER AWI – SEASON 3
At the end of season two, fans were left with a cliff-hanger featuring the arrival of Ahmad Mekky’s popular character Hazaloum, but it wasn’t clear whether the Egyptian actor would be signing on for a third season. Thankfully, the comedy is back this Ramadan with Al Kabeer, Johnny and Hazaloum (all played by Mekky).
Showing on: OSN Shabab HD, Zee Alwan, CBC
ABOU AL MALAYEEN
Making a comeback is Saudi comedian, Nasser Al Qasbi and Kuwaiti Abdul Husain Abdul Reda in this comedy about wealthy man and his step-brother’s time in Dubai.
Showing on: MBC
AL BET BET ABOONA
Featuring Kuwaiti stars Hayat Al Fahd and Souad Al Abdullah, Al Bet Bet Aboona revolves around two divorced ladies – Halima and Na’eema – living with their children in their father’s home, and at his expense. Find out what happens when the father finally decides to step out of his daughters’ and grandchildren’s life.
Showing on: MBC
WI-FI – SEASON 2
The comedy sketchshow – starring a plethora of GCC stars, including Assad Al Zaharani, Hassan Ballam, Habib Al Habib, Mohsen Al Shammary and Mubarak Al Mane’a — is back for a second season.
Showing on: MBC
RELIGIOUS
SALIM - SEASON 2
Inspired by verses in the Holy Quran, Moustafa Al Aidaroos returns with a new season aimed at improving the spiritual and physical aspects of our lives for harmony and enlightenment.
Showing on: OSN Ya Hala! HD
STORIES FROM THE HOLY QURAN
Famous faces including Yehia El Fakharany, Mona Abdul Aziz and Dalia Al Buhairi re-enact tales.
Showing on: Zee Alwan
KHAWATER 9
Khawater returns to the silver screen, and this Ramadan’s theme is ‘Reflection on Society’. The show’s presenters visit countries, including the UAE, Egypt, United States, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, and the UK to tackle a variety of social topics such as trust, cleaning missions, fair trade coffee, organisations, corruption, cotton, house maids, museums, neighbours and traffic jams, among many others.
Showing on: MBC
QISSAT AL ANDALUS
Renowned Islamic scholar Amr Khalid explores the stories of the Andalus, with segments on scientists, the impact of Andalusia in the West, co-existence, betrayal, the fall of Granada and more.
Showing on: MBC
THE TRUTH - SEASON 5
During the past four seasons, the show had taken viewers to several Islamic states and explored the way Muslims lived in each. This year, the show will visit three more Islamic countries: Maldives, Tunisia and Egypt.
Showing on: MBC
180 DEGREES
Presented by Dr Ali Bin Hamza Al Omari, this programme addresses the cores of the human body: mind, spirit and soul, through focusing on texts from the Quran and the Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah.
Showing on: MBC
COOKERY
ZNOOD EL SITT
Building on its great success last year, Znood El Sitt will once again couple culinary delights with comedy and drama. With recipes guaranteed to get the taste buds tingling, this season brings together Syrian star Wafaa’ Mousally and newcomer Samia Al Jazeari.
Showing on: OSN Ya Hala! HD
ALF AKLA W AKLA
Inspired by the Arabian tale 1001 Nights, this show features sisters Alia and Shorouk making healthy dishes for the sultan.
Showing on: OSN Ya Hala! HD
Show timings were not confirmed by broadcasters at the time of going to press.
