For the second year in a row, productions from DW (Arabia) have been awarded the Al Haitham Media Award given out by the Arab Media Council in Amman, Jordan. The satirical Al Basheer show won a trophy in the “free word” category. The talk show for Arabic youth, Shababtalk, won a gold award for the best Arabic talk show. Shababtalk also won the 2015 Arab Festival for Radio and Television Award from the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) for best talk show.

In the Arab world, DW’s continued success is based on programming that both resonates with audiences and represents values of media freedom. Shows like Shababtalk and the Al Basheer show are a rare presence in the media landscape in Arabic countries. Because they break taboos and venture where other programs won’t, viewers from across the Arab world turn to these programs for an honest perspective on important social issues.

DW (Arabia) is also a trusted and consistent source of news in Arabic that complements the variety of social issues covered in talk shows and magazines. Both pan-Arabic and national broadcasters can miss out on bringing audiences a complete perspective on issues like gender equality, democratic values and government corruption.

DW’s fills a niche by sticking to the traditional values of public service broadcasting that audiences in western countries may take for granted, but which are lacking in other parts of the world. These include independent reporting, balanced presentation and maintaining a critical view of those in power. This is why DW in the Arab world will continue to see success and deliver audiences something they can’t find elsewhere.

Terrorism, extremism and corruption are things Ahmed Al-Basheer knows personally. The Iraqi comedian has lost two family members to terrorist militias and would face great danger if he returned to Iraq. Nevertheless, Al-Basheer maintains a strong sense of humor and directs scathing satire and absurd jokes at everyone from Islamic State terrorists to corrupt officials.

Every two weeks, Al-Basheer and his team use their own money to produce “The Al-Basheer Show” from a private residence in Amman, Jordan. Up until now the show had only been published online, and despite having more then 30 million views since its 2014 launch, no broadcaster would risk airing it.

As an advocate for freedom of expression worldwide, DW is now the first broadcaster to televise the show. Audiences throughout the Arab world can now watch The Al-Basheer Show in Arabic on DW (Arabia). In cooperation with Jordanian partner Al Sumaria, the show will be broadcast every Friday evening during prime time.  Al-Basheer has made a big name for himself and will make an important contribution to DW’s presence as a beacon for reliable news and free speech in the region.

By using humor to bring serious issues to the public sphere, The Al-Basheer Show represents a small island of free expression in a sea of extremism and oppression. The success of his program indicates that there are many people in the Arab world who relate to his message and understand the deadly absurdity that extremism brings.

 

Europe

DW (Arabia 2) has been broadcasting DW’s Arabic programming for Arabic-speaking audiences in Western Europe via satellite partner SES Astra since December. Specially developed news and educational programming from German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF is now also being included on the channel. Target viewers for DW (Arabia 2) are Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrants currently in Western Europe who can benefit from independent journalism and important cultural information.

South America

Brazilian TV broadcaster Climatempo will be carrying DW’s Futurando and Camarote.21 starting in April 2016and available with providers like SKY, GVT, Oi and Samsung TV apps. Climatempo’s technical range of 9 million households will significantly increase the presence of  these regionally tailored programs in Brazil. Climatempo’s website will also be integrating DW’s Portuguese for Brazil online content.

Africa

DW is increasing its presence in West Africa with numerous new partnerships in Niger and Burkina Faso. In Niger, TV Anfani is now broadcasting DW’s English channel. The expanded partnership also marks 20 years of broadcasting cooperation, beginning in 1996 between Radio Anfani and DW. Additionally, Shukrah FM and Radio Kaocen are now broadcasting DW’s Hausa and French radio programming to radio listeners in Niger. In neighboring Burkina Faso, the TV provider Burkina Info is now broadcasting DW’s English channel. And for the first time in the Loroum region of the country, DW’s French radio programming will be available via programming partner Radio La Voix du Loroum.

In South Africa, the motor sports channel Ignition TV and the business news channel Business Day TV from the Times Media Group are now carrying select DW programming.

Mobile

Downloads for the DW app have grown immensely in recent months. The number of total downloads is currently at around 850,000 – a big leap from 250,000 in September. The app was  launched in June to accompany the launch of DW’s international news channel.

Middle East

A campaign for DW Arabia  is showing a lot of success in Morocco, Egypt and Iraq, the three largest media markets in the Arab world. Indicators include a video trailer on YouTube and Facebook that already has over 1 million views. The campaign highlights the credibility and transparency of DW’s programming against other broadcasters, whose reporting can fall into sensationalism. DW Arabia also explores taboos in the Arab world, which are avoided by other regional broadcasters. The “Discover the Difference” campaign will run until the end of the year.

Asia

DW has a new partner in Indonesia. Cable provider Dens TV is now carrying the complete program of DW’s English channel for audiences in Jakarta.

 

 

Even with all the possibilities for communication that exist today, there is still no substitution for real, human contact. That’s why, Shababtalk, the talk show for millennials on DW (Arabia) started its Arab World Tour.

“The show has become a voice for young Arabs,” says Shababtalk host Jaafar Abdul-Karim. “That’s why we want to get closer to our audience and topics. A tour like this is the first of its kind in Arab TV programming.”

This past week, Shababtalk was broadcast from Rabat, Morocco, produced in cooperation with the television stations Al Oula and Al Maghriba. This was the third stop on the tour, after successful shows in Baghdad, Iraq and Tunis, Tunisia.

Under the Moroccan stars

In Rabat, Abdul-Karim invited guests to a different kind of television studio, set up in front of the gates to the city. This current show revolved around how the younger generation can influence political decisions in Morocco – something that strikes a chord with nearly everyone. The participants couldn’t come to a consensus either, with political representatives stating that everyone has a voice, to a podcast producer saying that the political elite “don’t even speak our language”.

This is a reaction that is typical for the show, which tries to shed light on different opinions. The editorial team behind the program addresses bold topics and social issues that are generally considered sensitive or a taboo in Arabic-speaking countries. Whereas young audiences perceive this as a welcome sign of openness, the show has repeatedly stirred the anger of conservative forces and government officials in the region.

The Arab World Tour is just a further element of DW’s Local Heroes campaign. The next stop will be Cairo on October 24.