OSN
Orbit Showtime Network (OSN, stylized as "osn"[1]) is a Middle Eastern multinational direct-broadcast satellite provider serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), France, Spain, and United Kingdom. It offers popular entertainment content such as movies, sporting events and various TV shows from major networks and studios such as Nickelodeon, Paramount, BBC, TV5Monde, Star Select, Disney, ITV Studios, ABC Studios, GMA Network, LBCI, National Geographic, Discovery, Inc., and beIN Sports[2] in addition to local versions specifically for the MENA region. As of 2015 OSN offers 154 television channels and 53 high-definition channels and 3D entertainment. OSN was formed as a result of merger of two of the Mideast's largest TV networks, Orbit and Showtime Arabia in 2009.[3]
Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Broadcast |
Founded | 12 July 1998 |
Headquarters | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
Area served | Middle East and North Africa France Spain United Kingdom |
Key people | Faisal Al Ayyar (Chairman, Panther Media Group Limited) Patrick Tillieux (CEO, OSN) |
Products | Direct-broadcast satellite |
Owner | Panther Media Group Ltd |
Website | www |
Footnotes / references Coverage Area http://www.nilesat.com.eg/CoverageArea.aspx |
The OSN network is owned and operated by Panther Media Group Limited, a joint venture between KIPCO (60.5%) and Mawarid Holding (39.5%) and is registered in the DIFC.[4] OSN's corporate headquarters and Broadcast Center are based in Dubai Media City in the United Arab Emirates.
OSN introduced several technologies and services in the Middle East market. In 2012 the OSN DVR HD was launched. OSN Play, an online TV platform;[5] Plus HD, a 3D, HD, internet-enabled satellite receiver and recorder[6] and OSN on Demand, the region's first VOD service were all launched in the same year.[7]
Overview
Orbit Showtime Network (OSN) was created by merger of the two largest pay TV operators in the Middle East: Orbit Communications Company – a member of Riyadh-based Mawarid Holdings, and Showtime Arabia – a subsidiary of KIPCO.[8] Showtime Arabia was launched in 1996 as a joint venture between KIPCO (79%) and CBS Corporation (21%) and six years after its launch became the number one satellite television platform in MENA. Showtime Arabia continued its growth in the region by adding a range of new channels and new services such as the “Showbox DVR’ System in 2005 which allowed subscribers to record different programs. In 2008, Showtime Arabia also introduced a video on-demand service, broadcasting full seasons of premier U.S. series and top Hollywood movies.[9] Bahrain-based Orbit was the first pay TV service in the Middle East though challenging environment —from rampant piracy to stubbornly low subscriber base— drove it to consolidate with the larger Showtime to better compete with popular free-to-air satellite television.[10]
On 6 April 2020, OSN unveiled a new logo after 11 years in use
Technology
OSN had launched 2 multi-function interactive decoders:
- OSN Plus HD
- OSN HD
Channels
- Movies:
- OSN YH Cinema
- ART Aflam 1
- ART Aflam 2
- ART Cinema
- Alfa Cinema 1
- Alfa Cinema 2
- OSN Movies HD
- OSN Movies First HD
- OSN Movies First +2 HD
- OSN Movies Disney HD
- OSN Cinema HD
- OSN Kids HD
- OSN Enigma HD
- OSN Action HD
- Star Movies HD
- General Entertainment:
- OSN Comedy HD
- Al Safwa
- Al Yawm HD
- Alfa Series HD
- Alfa Series +2 HD
- ART Hekayat
- ART Hekayat 2
- Star World HD
- E! HD
- Fashion TV HD
- Comedy Central Arabia HD
- Fann
- OSN Series First HD
- OSN Mezze
- OSN Ya Hala HD
- OSN Ya Hala Al Oula HD
- OSN Living HD
- TLC Arabia HD
- Kids:
- OSN Kid Zone TV HD
- Disney Channel HD
- Disney Junior HD
- Nick Jr. HD
- Nicktoons HD
- Nickelodeon HD
- Baby TV HD
- Documentary:
- Music:
- MTV Live HD
- Music Now
- VH-1
- News:
- BBC World News
- CNBC
- France 24 English
- France 24 Arabic
- France 24 French
- Bloomberg TV
- OSN News (NBC/MSNBC)
- Sky News HD
- Sky News Arabia
- Sky News Arabia HD
References
- OSN website.
- "OSN strengthens its presence in Qatar with new dealership". Zawya (Press release). OSN. November 19, 2013.
- Birkinbine, B.; Gomez, R.; Wasko, J. (2016). Global Media Giants. Taylor & Francis. p. 282. ISBN 978-1-317-40286-2. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- "Kuwait's KIPCO hires Rothschild to advise TV arm IPO". Reuters U.K. 22 June 2013.
- "OSN Play". OSN.
- "OSN launches Plus HD". mediaME. 17 September 2012.
- "OSN goes hybrid with new PVR". BroadcastPro Middle East. 5 November 2012.
- Pavlik, J.V. (2015). Digital Technology and the Future of Broadcasting: Global Perspectives. Electronic Media Research Series. Taylor & Francis. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-317-48695-4. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- "Operator Briefing: Orbit Showtime Network (OSN)". Dataxis. June 2014.
- "Shifting Orbit". Arabian Business. April 13, 2008.
Further reading
- "Orbit Showtime Network opening string of UAE retail outlets". Gulf News Journal. December 15, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2017.