MBC launches Arab version of reality TV show ‘Million Dollar Island’
LONDON: MBC announced the launch of “Ard Al-Million” — or “Million Dollar Land” — a new adventure reality TV that will see 100 participants from across the Arab world compete for the chance to win a $1 million grand prize.
Publishing House: Arab News
MBC launches new reality adventure show in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM
MBC Group announced the launch of “Ard al-Million” – or “Million Dollar Land” – a new reality adventure TV show filmed in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM that will see 100 participants from across the Arab world compete for the chance to win a $1 million grand prize.
Publishing House: Al Arabiya
MBC Group launches mid-east version of reality TV show ‘Million Dollar Land’
Based on the international format, the new adventure programme will see 100 contestants from around the Arab world compete for a $1m grand prize.MBC Group has announced the launch of Ard Al-Million – or Million Dollar Land – a new adventure reality TV competition based on the international Dutch-founded format, Million Dollar Island.
Publishing House: BroadcastPRO ME
Arabic version of survival format Million Dollar Island heads to MBC Group
MBC Group in the Middle East is to develop an Arabic version of Dutch survival reality format Million Dollar Island, to broadcast on its satellite channels MBC1 and MBC Iraq.To be named Ard Al-Million (Million Dollar Land), it will be produced by MBC Group in partnership with Dubai-based Blue Engine Studios and filmed in Saudi Arabia.
Publishing House: C21 Media
Industry veterans launch Blue Engine Studios
Blue Engine Studios (BES), a new content creation and production company, announced its launch in the MENA region. TV industry veterans Ziad Kebbi and Hani Ghorayeb have co-founded the company. They are joined by renowned TV Director/Producer Jenane Mandour as COO.
Publishing House: Digital Studio ME
Blue Engine Studios and MBC Group to bring ‘Avastars’ to MENA
Blue Engine Studios has secured exclusive access to Talpa’s catalogues, such as ‘Avastars’, ‘Hit the Road’ and ‘Marble Mania’ among others. Dubai-based Blue Engine Studios (BES) has signed a deal with MBC Group for the Arabic version of Talpa’s music and dance talent show titled Avastars. It is the first pre-sale of the show, which will launch in Netherlands in April 2022.
Publishing House: BroadcastPRO ME
Blue Engine Studios to offer premium content in MENA region
DUBAI: A newly launched premium content creation and production company is to offer scripted and non-scripted shows in the Middle East and North Africa region targeting pan-Arab digital media, linear TV, and the expanding over-the-top market.
Publishing House: Zawya
Hani Ghorayeb exits Blue Engine Studios, Nabil Soueid steps in as chairman
Media veteran Nabil Soueid has become the new majority shareholder in Dubai-based production company Blue Engine Studios following the departure of co-founder Hani Ghorayeb. With over four decades of media experience, Soueid has stepped in as chairman of the Blue Engine Studios’ board. Blue Engine Studios credited Ghorayeb, who set up the company alongside fellow industry veteran and CEO Ziad Kebbi in 2021, with playing a “pivotal role” in establishing the company in the Middle East, where it operates out of Dubai and Riyadh. Blue Engine Studios said: “upcoming announcements” will detail the company’s initiatives as it moves forward with the new leadership and “a strategic vision for content production.” The company has an exclusive partnership with John de Mol’s Talpa Studios, giving it access to a format catalogue that includes The Floor and Million Dollar Land. Blue Engine Studios produces the latter via broadcast group MBC. “The next phase for Blue Engine Studios is about honing our focus on groundbreaking television programming,” Kebbi said. “Nabil Soueid’s expertise is a significant asset as we continue to expand our creative horizons.”
Publishing House: C21 Media
Critical Content Signs First-Looks With Warner Bros International Television Production Australia & Dubai’s Blue Engine Studios
EXCLUSIVE: Critical Content has signed first-look deals with Warner Bros International Television Production Australia and Dubai’s Blue Engine Studios. The deals form part of an international push that has already seen SK Global-owned Critical strike similar agreements with Korea’s Something Special, Singapore’s Refinery Media, ITV Studios France and Belgium’s Be-Entertainment. Warner Bros International Television Production Australia, part of Warner Bros Discovery’s international production network, is the maker of the Down Under versions of The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Impractical Jokers, The Celebrity Apprentice, The Masked Singer, Dancing with the Stars, Who Do You Think You Are? and Selling Houses Australia.
Publishing House: Deadline
Talpa Studios recommissions survival show ‘Million Dollar Island’ for Middle East
The upcoming seasons will be executive produced at Neom by Dubai-based Blue Engine Studios. Talpa Studios has recommissioned its survival show, Million Dollar Island, for new seasons in the Middle East and the Netherlands. The upcoming seasons, titled Million Dollar Land for MBC in the Middle East and Million Dollar Desert for NET5 in the Netherlands, will be produced at the cutting-edge production hub in Neom, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Blue Engine Studios. Blue Engine Studios, a television production company, has been instrumental in facilitating the deal between Talpa Studios and Neom’s Media Sector. Having just completed the Dutch production of Million Dollar Desert, Blue Engine Studios is now fully engaged in producing the second season of Million Dollar Land (titled Ard Al Malyon) for MBC. As the executive producer of the Arabic version, Blue Engine Studios is set to bring more countries to Neom’s production hub. In these new seasons, 30 contestants will face the ultimate test of endurance as they navigate the harsh challenges of desert life. Speaking about the show, Sebastian van Barneveld, Director of International Distribution at Talpa Studios, said: “We are very excited to expand the success of Million Dollar Island with these captivating spin-offs. The show preserves the core principles that have made the original so compelling while introducing innovative new elements that are perfectly suited to Neom’s stunning desert scenery.” Wayne Borg – Managing Director, Media Industries, Neom, added: “Over the last two years, Neom has become the regional hub for content creation, boasting state-of-the-art infrastructure, sound stages, and attractive production incentives, alongside a rich talent pool. Through successful partnerships with industry leaders like Talpa Studios and Blue Engine, Neom has emerged as the international format hub in the region for premium unscripted television productions. This success ensures a robust pipeline of productions and affords opportunities to accelerate our media ecosystem while training the next generation of talent.” Ziad Kebbi, CEO of Blue Engine Studios, commented: “We are thrilled to be at the forefront of bringing innovative and culturally relevant content to the Arab world. Our collaboration with Neom and Talpa Studios underscores our commitment to producing high-quality entertainment that resonates with audiences.” This announcement follows the recent launch of the Bulgarian edition, marking another milestone in the show’s expansion. As Million Dollar Island, developed in collaboration with Monday Media, continues to reach new territories – including Romania, Australia, Belgium, and the USA – its foundational values of strategy, resilience, and human interaction remain as compelling as ever.
Publishing House: BroadcastPRO ME