The new lineup includes 'Faces', 'Doomsday Bunkers' and 'Passports for Sale', along with over 50 hours of exclusive documentaries on the US Presidential Elections.
Asharq Documentary has marked its one-year anniversary, celebrating a milestone in providing on-demand documentary content to Arabic-speaking audiences across the region. In its first year, the platform delivered over 1,000 hours of content and 20,000 social media posts, amassing more than 620m views across multiple platforms. With over 3m followers on social media, Asharq Documentary has reportedly become the fastest-growing entity on digital platforms in the MENA region and a premier source of high-quality documentaries.
Commenting on this achievement, Mohammed Al Yousei, General Manager of Asharq Documentary, said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at Asharq Documentary in such a short time, with the unwavering support of SRMG. Asharq Documentary has captivated the attention of hundreds of millions, whilst achieving extraordinary viewership numbers across various media platforms. The channel has aired some of the most prominent and significant Arabic and global documentaries, as well as distinctive and high-quality original productions. This emphasises our commitment to delivering Arabic content to meet the diverse expectations of viewers, across our region.”
To commemorate its anniversary, Asharq Documentary has unveiled a fresh lineup of original content, covering politics, culture, business, economics and history. The new documentaries offer in-depth analyses of historical events and untold stories that shaped the modern world, along with profiles of influential figures.
The new original documentaries include Faces, Doomsday Bunkers, Gothicism, Loose Weapon and Sayyid al-Bayd…Muhammad al-Thabeti.
The docuseries Faces features 30-minute episodes that utilise advanced AI-generated animations to portray historical and contemporary figures across various fields, including politics, economics, sports and technology. It explores the lives of notable individuals such as former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, financier and convicted felon Jeffrey Epstein, and American entrepreneur and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, among other prominent figures.
Doomsday Bunkers, a two-part documentary, dives into the secretive world of nuclear shelters across Europe, examining the remnants of the Cold War and their current significance. The film investigates the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, questioning whether these bunkers offer real protection or are ultimately ineffective against the potential devastation of Europe.
Gothicism explores the emergence of the Goth subculture, focusing on the unique atmosphere that took root in Leipzig, Germany. The film captures a city of followers drawn to the Gothic movement’s music and fashion, dressed in striking black attire and fully immersed in the mystique and mythology surrounding the subculture. It delves into how these hidden facets of the Gothic world provoke both fear and fascination, unravelling a complex web of perspectives within Leipzig’s community.
Loose Weapon investigates Afghanistan’s arms trade, which has become a vital source of income for tribes, factions and organisations, particularly after the Taliban’s return to power. This documentary provides a detailed exploration of the illicit arms industry, revealing the intricate web of trafficking deals that fuel it.
Sayyid al-Bayd…Muhammad al-Thabeti chronicles a significant literary conflict of the mid-20th century between traditional and modern free verse poetry. It highlights the work of Saudi poet Muhammad al-Thabeti, also known as ‘Sayyid al-Bayd,’ who played a key role in revolutionising modern Saudi poetry. The documentary examines his groundbreaking contributions in depth.
On the launch of these original shows, Al Yousei commented: “The launch of these original productions marks a significant milestone in our journey to deliver engaging and innovative real-life stories. These new documentaries will offer viewers fresh perspectives on issues, events, and personalities that continue to make headlines around the globe. This demonstrates the strong appetite for high-quality Arabic-language documentaries. With the launch of our in-house productions, we are fulfilling our promise to provide original Arabic content that resonates with our diverse audiences, specifically in the region.”
In addition to its original productions, Asharq Documentary is also offering a new lineup of licensed documentaries never before available in Arabic. These include Germany’s Enemy Within, The Click Trap: The Dark Side of Google’s Advertising, Svetlana: My Father is Joseph Stalin and A Cold War of Spies. From September 8 to November 5, the channel will also air 50 hours of exclusive content focused on the US Presidential Elections.
Asharq Documentary is accessible free-to-view across the region via satellite on Arabsat and Nilesat, and through the catch-up service Asharq NOW and its social media platforms.
