Sony Pictures Television Arabia


Banijay in Mid East formats pact

Banijay International has signed an exclusive production pact with Middle Eastern prodco Periscoop, TBI has learned. The deal means Periscoop will handle adaptation and distribution rights to non-scripted formats from Banijay Group’s international sales wing throughout the Middle East. The pair has an existing relationship, as Periscoop previously produced Banijay format Taratata for pan-regional broadcaster […]

Ex-Sony exec Ziad Kebbi launches new prodco

Former Endemol and Sony executive Ziad Kebbi has launched his own Middle East-focused production company, Maximum Media, TBI has learned. Kebbi will be CEO of the new Dubai-based company, which will bring international formats to the Middle East as well as work up ideas originated in the region. “Non-scripted will be the focus at the […]

Ziad Kebbi on SPT Arabia departure

Ziad Kebbi says it was his departure from Sony Pictures Television Arabia, which both sides describe as “amicable”, that triggered the US studio’s decision to pull back from production in the Middle East. Yesterday, TBI broke the news Kebbi was leaving his role as president of SPT Arabia after four years. Sources close to Sony […]

Sony scales back Middle East production, Kebbi exiting

Sony Pictures Television Arabia’s president Ziad Kebbi is exiting the business as part of a restructure that will scale back production operations in the Middle East, TBI can reveal. TBI understands SPT is scaling down its Dubai, UAE headquarters, closing down its production office in Beirut, Lebanon and reducing operations at its Cairo, Egypt base. […]

Middle East nets ready Millionaire spin off, new formats

Middle Eastern and North African broadcasters have partnered with Sony Pictures Television on the latest versions of a Who Wants to be a Millionaire? spin off, a singing-themed factual entertainment format and a remade CBS studio game show. In Dubai, national broadcaster Dubai Television has ordered Sony Pictures Television Arabia to produce a 26-episode season […]