Sony Pictures Television establishes regional operations in Dubai

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) will run its Middle East operations from Dubai Studio City (DSC).

SPT had established Sony Pictures Television Arabia FZ-LLC (SPT Arabia), a new production company that will leverage the infrastructure support and other operational benefits offered by Dubai Studio City to effectively serve Arabic-speaking audiences.

SPT Arabia’s base in DSC complements its other offices in Beirut and Cairo with the scope of activity covering the entire region.

Jamal Al Sharif, Managing Director, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Media City, said: “The Arab television industry has significant potential for content creation, with a strong demand for locally-developed content. We believe the launch of a regionally-dedicated arm for Sony Pictures Television will help bridge this demand.

“We are privileged to welcome the Sony Pictures Television Arabia to Dubai Studio City and remain confident that the world-class facilities at the media cluster will enable our business partner to effectively carry out all stages of production work.”

With a vast catalogue of scripted and non-scripted programming, the company targets broadcast clients in 22 countries spanning Iraq to Morocco.

The Dubai operation is fronted by production executives, Ziad Kebbi as President, and Dany Karam as Executive Vice-President.

Karam said: “Sony Pictures Television has selected Dubai to start its operations across the Arab world as we believe it offers the best business environment in the region with advanced technological infrastructure and ease of conducting commercial activities.

“We are positioning the company as a main supplier of original and innovative programming, culturally adapted to appeal to Arab audiences. SPT Arabia will tap into the global knowledge and resources of SPT and leverage our local market knowledge to bring the most compelling and most entertaining programming to TV viewers in the Middle East.”

The formation of SPT Arabia is the latest development in the ongoing growth of SPT’s international production business. In July 2010, SPT announced the formation of Floresta in Brazil. SPT is also represented in Latin America by Teleset based in Colombia. The company has strengthened its presence in Europe with offices serving the Benelux region, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK. In Russia, SPT is represented by Lean-M while in the US, SPT acquired Embassy Row in 2008.

This press release was issued by Dubai Studio City.