The Arabic Showtime satellite channel on Monday denied reports that the company plans to merge with the Arab Radio and Television channel ART.
Arabic Showtime representative in Dubai, Faisal Al-Gayar said the
company was not involved in any direct or indirect merger talks with
ART Al-Gayar told reporters in Dubai that Showtime has no intention of merging with any other TV channel. He said Showtime was determined to compete for audience on its own merits.
Unconfirmed reports of a merger began circulating after Showtime and
ART jointly aired several sports events and after ART included
the Abu Dhabi sports channel in its programming. The Abu Dhabi sports
channel is one of the Arabic Showtime channels.
Kuwait's Al-Kabidah Company, which runs Arabic Showtime, have been
partners with the American Viacom Company for four years, the Saudi
Al-Shark Al-Awsat newspaper quoted Al-Gayar saying.
Al-Gayar said the partnership with Viacom provides all the technical
help and experience needed to ensure the success of Arabic Showtime.
Viacom runs several successful American TV stations like CBS,
Paramount Nickelodeon, MTV, and American Showtime. Nickelodeon
Productions, also run by Viacom has produced box office hits like
Titanic, and Mission Impossible.
Al-Gayar said that in the past five years, Arabic Showtime has
doubled its membership to approximately to 180,000. Arabic Showtime,
which covers all the Middle Eat and North Africa, has other partners.
They include, Sony, Columbia Tri-Star- whose movie channel is
exclusive to the region.
The company also has dealings with Ted Turner's United Cinema and the
Hallmark Company, Al-Gayar said – Albawaba.com.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
