Curated multi-genre content for the region
Fox Networks Group (FNG) is 21st Century Fox’s international multi-media business. The company develops, produces and distributes 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels in 45 languages across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. FNG’s core channel brands include Fox, Fox Sports, Fox Life, Fox+ and National Geographic Channel.
FNG’s movie channels include Fox Movies, Fox Movies Premium and SCM (formerly Star Chinese.)
Fox Networks Group Middle East (previously FIC Middle East) established in 2008, is the region’s largest international broadcaster of multi-genre content. FNG Middle East brings to viewers across the region 15 channels with curated content in seven genres: factual, entertainment, movies, music, kids, lifestyle and Arabic. The pay TV channel portfolio in the Middle East includes (National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo People, Star World, Fox, Star Movies, Fox Movies, Fox Family Movies, Fox Action Movies, FX, Channel V International, Baby TV, Fox Rewayat, Fox Crime, Fox Life).
FNG also airs in the region three free-to-air channels in partnership with Abu Dhabi Media, National Geographic Abu Dhabi, National Geographic Kids Abu Dhabi and National Geographic Farsi.
Sanjay Raina, General Manager and Sr. VP, FNG
FNG Middle East is headed by Sanjay Raina, General Manager and Senior Vice-President at FNG, a role he has held since 2013. A media veteran with extensive experience in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Raina has spearheaded FNG’s growth in the region over the last six years by introducing innovative new platforms such as Fox Plus streaming service, expanding the group’s geographic footprint and channel portfolio, and by offering a unique blend of curated and local content. Raina has also forged strong partnerships with affiliates and customers.
National Geographic is the number one factual entertainment channel across the Middle East today, committed to furthering knowledge and understanding of the world. This has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 131 years and the company returns 27 percent of its proceeds to the non-profit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. National Geographic Kids Abu Dhabi, launched in 2017 is the first Arabic children’s documentary channel and the only full-fledged free-to-air 24hr Arabic channel bringing the best in science, exploration, adventure and wildlife for children aged between seven and 14 years. It has a dedicated website with an internet TV facility.
FNG recently launched a dedicated streaming service for the region, Fox Plus, offering a wide range of curated programming from National Geographic documentaries to Fox Lifestyle shows, Baby TV, in addition to award-winning global TV series and movies.
Fox Plus is available on the MBC Shahid platform regionally on STC’s Jawwy in Saudi Arabia with other platforms in the pipeline.
In recent years, FNG has increased the amount of regionally produced programming, both on its National Geographic and Fox channels, connecting the channels more intimately with the region and bringing its rich stories to life while reinforcing FNG’s vision to bring world-class entertainment that is not only locally relevant, but locally produced.
Programming has included award-winning shows such as The Open Road, the first Fox Originals made from the Middle East. This groundbreaking new travel series which premiered in 2018, stars two Arab women touring the region on their Harley-Davidsons.
I am a Nat Geo Photographer is another reality TV show developed and produced in the region, which premiered on National Geographic Abu Dhabi in the Middle East in 2018. The four-part show featuring four semi-professional photographers from across the MENA, competed against one another in a series of photographic challenges, evaluated by a panel of professional judges.
A version for younger viewers, Fel Soura premiered on National Geographic Kids Abu Dhabi Channel in 2019. This locally produced show in Arabic, features young talent from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the GCC and the region. These programmes reflect FNG’s passion for nurturing talent in the region especially youth. The first of such platforms was the Moments Photography Competition, an annual regional photography competition started in 2010 to find and develop the talent of aspiring photographers from around the Arab world. The competition has attracted over 200,000 entries to date from across the Middle East region.
