Satellite channels keep pace with Ramadan

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Satellite channels keep pace with Ramadan

2010-08-14 By Nohad Topalian in Beirut

[File] The Egyptian series "Ayza Atgawez" is one of many programmes offered on Satellite TV during Ramadan.

Arab audiences are eager to find out what the holy month of Ramadan will bring in terms of dramas scheduled for broadcast on satellite television channels.

Below is a compilation of the most prominent programmes that will be broadcast this month.

LBCI

Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) will offer a wide range of Ramadan programming. The emotional drama series "Lil Hobi Wajhon Akhar" tells the story of a married woman tested by her personal relationships. It was written by Tony Chamoun, directed by Elie Maalouf, and stars Fadi Ibrahim, Nahla Dawood, and Majdi Mashmoushi.

The new version of the comedy "Adonya Heik", written by Michel Abu Sulaiman and directed by Nabil Asmar, brings together a famous cast including Amal Afeish, Youssef Fakhri, Youssef Shamel, Ghassan Rahbani, and Omar Mikati.

The Syrian drama "Waraa Al Shams" tackles the controversial decision to abort a fetus when parents discover that the child will be disabled early in the pregnancy. The series supports the rights of disabled people and calls on society to be supportive of the disabled. It was written by Mohammad al Assi, directed by Samir Hassan and stars Bassam Kousa, Siba Mubarak, Basel Khayat, and Muna Wassef.

"Asaad al-Warraq", written by Hozan Akko and directed by Rasha Sharbatji, returns to the 1920s when the French ruled Syria. Taim Hassan plays the title role and Amal Arafa plays his love interest.

"Zakirat al-Jasad", by Algerian writer Ahlam Mosteghanemi and Syrian director Najdat Anzour, stars Jamal Suliman and newcomer Amel Bouchoucha.

"Mawe’ed Maa al-Woohoush" is a story about weapons smugglers and drug dealers in Upper Egypt. It is written by Ayman Abdel-Rahman, directed by Ahmed Abdel-Hamid, and stars Khaled Saleh, Ezzat El-Alayli and Soheir El-Morshedi.

LBCI wil also re-run "Sarah", a drama about a husband's betrayal of his wife starring Cyrine Abdelnour, Youssef Haddad, Yusuf al-Khal, Nada Abou Farhat, and Majdi Mashmoushi. It was written by Claudia Marchelian and directed by Samir Habshi.

Future TV

Future Television (Future TV) scheduled two series for Ramadan. "Zohra Wa Azwajouha al-Khamsah" is an Egyptian series written by Mustafa Moharam, directed by Mohammed al-Nakly that stars Ghada Abdul Razzaq, Hasan Youssef and Abeer Sabri.

The Syrian drama "Ma Malakat Aymanukum" combines several stories in different countries throughout the Middle East. One segment is about a Syria extremist involved in terrorist attacks and his relationships with women. Another story line addresses the lives of Arab women in a male dominated society.

MTV

Murr Television (MTV) presents the fifth and final part of the famous Syrian series "Bab al-Hara", directed by Bassam Al Mulla and Mo’men Al Mulla. It stars Sabah Jazaeri, Wafa Mousally and Wael Sharaf.

In addition, MTV will broadcast the "Qaddiyat Safiya" series, written by Ayman Salama and directed by Ahmed Shafiq, starring May Ezzedine, Tariq Lutfi, and Ahmed Al Saadi.

New TV

New Television (NewTV) will feature three series during the month of Ramadan.

"Al Dabbour" is written by Marwan Qawoq, directed by Tamer Isaac, and stars Samer Al-Masry, Mustafa al-Khani and Khaled Taja.

"Al-Khubz al-Haram" stars Abbas Al Nouri, Bassem Yakhour and Salma Al Masri.

The second part of the series "Ahl al-Rayah" tells a story about the heroic 19th century leader Abu Hassan, played by Abbas Al Nouri.

MBC 1

MBC1, the entertainment channel of MBC Group, will broadcast "Ayza Atgawez" and "Zohra Wa A'zwajiha al Khamsah", the Gulf drama "Lailat Eid", and "Bab al-Hara".

Gulf Series TV and Dubai TV

Gulf Series TV is showing a variety of programmes including: "Al-Aar", "Cleopatra", "Hawamir al Sahraa", "Ahl al-Rayah", "Al-Malika Nazli", and "Shamyyat". On Dubai TV viewers can watch "Asaad al-Warraq", "Bi Shamaa al Ahmar", "Waraa al-Shams", "Imrah Fi Wartah", and "Qesat Hob".

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE? (TOTAL VOTES: 5)

4 Like(s)1 Dislike(s)

READER COMMENTS

سنان

2010-9-18

The drama of Ramadan and this massive amount of meanness and fooling of people, fabrication of the facts and non-professionalism for personal and financial interests, is not good. The satellite channels have earmarked huge budgets to catch up with Ramadan, the season of the drama. This has transformed Ramadan from a season of worship into a season of TV shows. In addition, there is the creative bankruptcy of the channels, as they came out with the historic TV series that do not benefit the audience in any way. Hence, I see that the Egyptian drama will perish, unlike the Syrian drama. Why do we not use these huge funds to improve the scientific research for planting wheat or to benefit the blood of the poor?
2010-8-30

Thanks to God, I have not watched the shows during Ramadan for three years now.
كاكا

2010-8-26

Cleopatra is one of the creative series.
سمارة

2010-8-24

The Arab satellite channels are competing to show series and programs during Ramadan. This competition is based on the fact that most families are at home for Iftar, i.e. breaking fast . These channels seize this opportunity to present as many series and comedies as possible, in order to entertain families. Because of this, we notice that most media and satellite channels are planning ahead every year for Ramadan, in order to show and produce series and programs. As a result, competition will rise between the channels, so that every channel wants to achieve the highest number of viewers during Ramadan, and this is what most of the channels’ directors want.
سعدان

2010-8-24

Satan plays a role in this race between the satellite channels competing over the presentation of series and programs. Regarding this matter, we wonder about the huge amount of production, especially during Ramadan. This month is designed by God Almighty to be a month of compassion, goodness and prayers for all people, rather than presenting series and programs in Ramadan. This is extremely dangerous and we need to beware because it distracts us from worshiping Almighty God, and especially the programs that are specialized in songs, skimpy clothes and diversified makeup, in order to attract the youth and other viewers when they see these programs, which are prohibited by religion, and all must reject these programs that lead to disobedience toward God.
2010-8-24

I disagree with many of those who promote these TV series that are aired on the TV satellite channels during the month of Ramadan, because this is the month of worship and getting closer to God The Almighty. It is also the month of mercy and blessings. Personally, I see that there is no relationship between Ramadan and the TV series that are being aired during it; moreover, it is improper to air such TV series during Ramadan. I also find the feverish contest among the producers and actors to have their series aired during this month as strange. I do not know who is responsible for turning the month of Ramadan into a season for showing TV series and similar works that contradict the spirit of this blessed month, which aims at cultivating the soul and refining it, as well as getting closer to God through the fast, night prayer and other good deeds, rather than watching the TV series that encourage obscenity and can be aired in any month other than Ramadan.
نعمة

2010-8-24

Ramadan is one of the most important seasons for the drama works and TV series, which are to be shown especially during this month, due to the increase in the number of viewers at their homes, during the breaking of the fast. These channels exploit the fact that all family members are in their houses to meet at the breakfast table. That is what causes the feverish competition among the Arab TV channels to attract the audience by promoting and advertising these works, as well as the feverish competition to buy the rights to air these series exclusively, and increase the number of its viewers. Therefore, most of the Arab actors prepare their best works to be shown during the month of Ramadan, to ensure that the largest possible number of viewers will watch their works. The TV series that are shown during the month of Ramadan enjoy wide success as they are prepared carefully and with great production budgets, in addition to their ability to attract many viewers.
سلام

2010-8-24

I have never heard that Ramadan was intended for the obscene TV series that are aired on our “respectable” satellite TV channels, which compete to show these immoral series on their screens. Quite the contrary, I have heard that Ramadan is the month of worship, of getting closer to God The Almighty and committing fewer sins, according to my simple comprehension. However, we unfortunately find this contest and crowding of the works that are being aired in the blessed month of Ramadan. The channels that air such works show no respect for the sanctity of this month in the eyes of the Muslims, by airing works that are immoral and disgusting to the majority of the Muslims. I believe that it would be better for these channels to introduce works that are in accordance with the spirituality of this month, such as religious works that educate Muslims about their religion and aim at correcting mistakes, and the like. In such a case, the drama works during Ramadan would be purposeful and consistent with the purpose of this month, especially given that there are 11 other months in the year for such immoral works.
جرار الاسدي

2010-8-22

The distinguished performer in the Syrian historical TV serials brought these works a wide reputation in several Arab countries. Many Arab citizens are keen on watching these serials that tell historical stories, and they enjoy the impressive performance of the representatives of the innovative Syrian actors, who master playing the roles of these historical figures. Such a distinction did not come out of nowhere; rather, many countries have presented this kind of historical drama, but they did not achieve the same success of the Syrian drama regarding such a good performance. The excellence of the Syrians was due to the excellent performance of the actors in two aspects; first, their accurate articulation and pronunciation of the Arabic language, and second, the program’s music as well as the accessories and lighting. All these factors participated in making the Syrian serials take the lead in providing this style of drama and historical stories.
حامو

2010-8-21

The Egyptian TV series started proving their worth again.