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OSN

For other uses, see OSN (disambiguation).

25°5′49″N 55°9′26″E / 25.09694°N 55.15722°E / 25.09694; 55.15722 Orbit Showtime Network, commonly known as OSN, is a Dubai-based satellite TV company, serving the Middle East and North Africa region. OSN mainly broadcasts programming from TV networks owned by Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, DreamWorks and the BBC, as well as regional, mostly Arabic, Turkish, and Pinoy content.

OSN
Company typePrivate
IndustryTelevision broadcasting
Streaming TV
Founded12 October 2009; 15 years ago (2009-10-12)
HeadquartersDubai Media City, Dubai
Area served
Middle East and North Africa
Key people
Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah (Chairwoman, Panther Media Group Limited)
Joe Kawkabani (CEO, OSN)
ProductsDirect-broadcast satellite
OwnerKIPCO (60.5%)
Mawarid Holding (30.5%)[1]
ParentPanther Media Group Ltd
Websitewww.osn.com

OSN has introduced several technologies and services to the region since 2012, such as the DVR, an online TV platform,[2] 3D HD, and internet-enabled satellite receivers,[3][4] since it was founded in 2009.

History

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Top: first logo (2009–2013), bottom: second logo (2013–2020).

OSN was formed in 2009 by the merger of the two largest subscription TV networks in the region, namely Orbit (a member of Riyadh-based Mawarid Holding which included the formerly separate ART network), and Showtime Arabia, a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Kuwait-based KIPCO.[5] The merger of KIPCO and Mawared resulted in a new holding company; Panther Media Group, with its headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre.[6]

Showtime Arabia continued its growth in the region by adding a range of new channels and services, such as the Showbox DVR System in 2005, allowing subscribers to record different programmes. In August 2007, Showtime Arabia expanded its video-on-demand service.[7]

On the other hand, Bahrain-based Orbit was the first pay TV service in the Middle East; due to the challenging environment, it was driven to consolidate with the larger Showtime to better compete with popular free-to-air satellite television.[8]

The new network ended the satellite radio stations both services used to offer that were ad-free and specialized in different musical genres.

OSN TV

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OSN TV is a program that combines OSN+ and live TV channels. It started on June 1, 2023.

OSN+ (OSN Plus)

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In March 2022, OSN rebranded its subscription video-on-demand streaming service from 2020 to OSN+ (or OSN Plus). A more colorful logo accompanied the rebrand, as well as an update to the interface and search engine.[9]

The platform continued to provide content from its partners, including HBO, Paramount, and NBCUniversal, deepening its exclusive partnerships. In January 2022, OSN announced the extension of its exclusive partnership with HBO, as well as an expansion of its NBCU relationship to include more premium television exclusives and box sets from Peacock and Sky Studios. Announcements of new deals for premium series from Endeavour Content and All3Media also followed, supplementing existing partnerships with Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony, MGM, and Lionsgate.[citation needed]

Furthermore, OSN+ provides regionally produced content, producing originals. For example, a local adaptation of the American TV series Suits, launched in April 2022.[10]

Technology

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OSN has launched 5 multi-function interactive decoders:

  • OSN Plus HD (discontinued)
  • OSN HD (discontinued)
  • OSN TV
  • OSNtv Connect
  • OSNtv Prime
  • OSN DVR HD (discontinued)
  • OSN Showbox HD (discontinued)

Channels

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  • Movies:
  • General Entertainment:
    • OSN TV One
    • OSN TV Showcase
    • OSN TV Showcase Classics
    • OSN TV Crime
    • OSN TV Comedy
    • OSN TV Pop Up
  • Arabic:
  • Alfa (with an additional subscription):
    • Alfa Series HD
    • Alfa Series +2 HD
    • Alfa Al Yawm HD
    • Alfa Cinema 1 HD
    • Alfa Cinema 2 HD
    • Alfa Al Safwa
    • Alfa Fann HD
    • Alfa Music Now HD
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  •  
    Discontinued logo of OSN Movies
  •  
    Kidzone
  •  
    Technology of OSN News
  •  
    2020 logo of OSN News

References

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  1. ^ "Kuwait's KIPCO hires Rothschild to advise TV arm IPO". Reuters. Kuwait: Thomson Reuters. June 22, 2013. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "OSN Play". OSN. Archived from the original on 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  3. ^ "OSN launches Plus HD". mediaME. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  4. ^ "OSN goes hybrid with new PVR". BroadcastPro Middle East. 5 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  5. ^ Birkinbine, B.; Gomez, R.; Wasko, J. (2016). Global Media Giants. Taylor & Francis. p. 282. ISBN 978-1-317-40286-2. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  6. ^ "About OSN". OSN.
  7. ^ Akerman, Iain (30 July 2007). "Showtime introduces video on demand to the Middle East". Campaign. Dubai: Haymarket Media Group Ltd.
  8. ^ Parnell, John (13 April 2008). "Shifting Orbit". Arabian Business. ITP Media Group. We face major issues confronting the spread of piracy in the Middle East… [t]he influx of new free-to-air (FTA) TV operators also challenges our position in regards to advertising spend and convincing consumers to subscribe to pay TV services.
  9. ^ Mehta, Neha (2022-03-17). "OSN rebrands it's streaming service with OSN". Adtech Today. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  10. ^ "Arabic adaptation of the hit US TV show 'Suits' to be aired during Ramadan". 4 February 2022.

Further reading

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