Jakob Mejlhede Andersen has a wealth of experience in FTV networks, pay-TV, and OTT. He will be responsible for content strategy, programming and original scripted/non-scripted productions and will work out of MBC Group's Dubai HQ
MBC Group has appointed Jakob Mejlhede Andersen as Chief Content Officer (CCO) of video on demand (VOD) platform, Shahid. In his role, Andersen will be responsible for the overall content strategy for both Shahid and its premium offering, Shahid VIP, whilst ensuring that that network’s over-the-top (OTT) offerings are the strongest across the MENA region.
Speaking about Andersen’s appointment, MBC Group’s CEO Marc Antoine d’Halluin said: “We are confident he has the insights and experience to steer Shahid’s content in the direction we are envisioning. Exciting times lie ahead to ensure we are always offering the best of the best to our loyal viewers, not to mention the most diverse premium content offering in the region.”
Johannes Larcher, Managing Director, Digital & VOD at MBC Group added that Andersen will “be an asset to the team, exploring and managing our premium quality content”.
“We look forward to having him on board.”
A television entertainment executive with over 20 years of solid experience building, launching and re-positioning channels and online services across Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Africa, Andersen has a track record in developing successful content strategies and increasing performance across various platforms, including FTV networks, pay-TV, and OTT.
Prior to joining MBC, he served as CEO of NENT Studios UK, where he was responsible for setting up and building the entity into a leading European integrated content studio with a focus on storytelling excellence and high-end productions.
Originally from Denmark, Andersen is fluent in English, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.
“This is a new and exciting step forward in my career, and I am thrilled to be joining MBC Group’s Shahid team in the Middle East,” stated Andersen. “I would like to thank Marc Antoine d’Halluin for the opportunity and look forward to what lies ahead and what we will all create together.”
The appointment of Andersen comes at a time when MBC is investing in more original premium content. At the relaunch of Shahid in January, D’Halluin had said that the broadcaster will increase its investment in drama productions, “thus increasing them fourfold, of which the majority will be original and exclusive content”.
He also outlined the track record of the company over the past decade, stating: “During the past ten years, MBC has acquired and produced approximately 46,000 hours of Arabic-language entertainment content, valued at an estimated $1.3bn. This is broken down into 26,000 hours of media, entertainment and other content, plus 20,000 hours of television series, which includes about 600 dramas.”
Shahid VIP is currently witnessing phenomenal growth across MENA; as of April 2020, it has more than doubled its subscriber base over recent months.
