It's Official: CNN, Cartoon Network to be part of beIN network

Turner Broadcasting has made it official that it is moving from OSN to beIN Media Group for DTH (direct-to-home) customers across the Middle East and North Africa.

Announcing the partnership the company said the decision is aimed at reaching the wider audience across the region.

"Together with beIN Media Group, we’re expanding our reach to cater to the needs of audiences across the region. Subscribers to the network can enjoy unlimited access to news, movies and animation via our world-class broadcast channels and entertainment offering,” Rani R. Raad, Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey at Turner.

The partnership with beIN will see a move of Turner Broadcasting owned channels, such as Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TCM (Turner Classic Movies), HLN (Headline News) and CNN HD, in the region to beIN’s distribution network.

The commercial agreement, which comes into effect on the first of January 2016, is a strategic step towards ensuring wider reach and coverage.

OSN meanwhile has said it tried its best to retain the channels and has promised to add several new channels to its customers in 2016.

“Turner Broadcasting, the owner of the channels, has decided that they no longer wish to provide the channels to OSN and its customers, despite our best efforts.

“While the move is as much a disappointment for us as to our customers, OSN will continue to invest in providing first-class service in all genres," a statement from OSN said.

Announcing its plans for 2016 OSN said, "We are launching several new channels – each with dedicated programming comprising exclusive and first-in-the-region content. This includes OSN Movies Family HD and a premium Arabic movie channel. OSN will also become the exclusive home of HBO and we will have another new channel dedicated to showing the very best of British drama and entertainment.

Meanwhile beIN which launched its entertainment TV segment in November said it plans to strengthen its  entertainment category.

Yousef Al-Obaidly, Deputy CEO of beIN MEDIA GROUP said, ”We had committed to our subscribers that we will partner with leading global brands to bring them the best of global entertainment.  Our partnership with Turner is a solid step in that direction.

Meanwhile Etisalat and du have said that its subscribers will not be affected by the decision. Both providers said it has separate direct relationship with Turner.

Du meanwhile has also promised to deliver the content to OSN subscribers for free for three to six months.

"Under a new agreement between du and Turner Broadcast, we will continue to provide popular programming such as Cartoon Network, Boomerang, CNNi and Turner Classic Movies as part of du’s basic English Packages, along-side 33 popular channels. Moreover, we plan to continue delivering Turner Broadcast channels to existing subscribers who were receiving this content through their OSN subscription for a limited time period of 3-6 months, at no additional cost," said a statement from du. 

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