Viacom’s Comedy Central to be produced live in Dubai
Details
Rebecca Hawkes
| 25 January 2017

Viacom is embarking on a series of live stand-up comedy productions in the Middle East for its Comedy Central (CC) Presents, to be shown on regional pay-TV network OSN.

Comedy Central Presents كوميدي عالواقف will feature stand-up from 30 Arab comedians recorded live at Stereo Arcade in Dubai from 5 February.

The series demonstrates the commitment from Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) to business growth and project investment in the region, said Raffaele Annecchino, president and managing director of VIMN Southern & Western Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“CC Presents كوميدي عالواقف is the first local production for Comedy Central in MENA since we launched the channel less than a year ago. This is a great achievement for the brand and we look forward to continued success, with the goal to make Comedy Central the home of stand-up in the region, both for our audiences and local talent,” added Annecchino.

The programme is hosted by Emirati comedian Ali Al Sayed, who has performed at Comic Strip Live and on Broadway in New York, and Mo Amer, an Arab-American stand-up who has supported Dave Chappelle. Among the acts featured in the ten half-hour episodes are Talal Al Sheikhi, Yeser Al Beker, and Wissam Kamal.

“Comedy Central is the leading comedy brand around the world and we are committed to elevating local talent. Programmes like CC Presents... and support of other local stand-up is a key part of our business in our other markets including Africa, Italy and Spain,” said Amalia Martinez de Velasco, SVP Entertainment Brands, VIMN SWEMEA.

“When we launched Comedy Central in MENA, we were determined to accomplish the same success here in the Middle East. We have brought together 30 comedians from all across the region and hope that CC Presents كوميدي عالواقف is just the beginning of our collaborative work with local comics.”