Ninetnine, the content provider to digital platforms, has signed an agreement with Turkey’s BluTV, one of the largest SVOD services in the country. The deal implies the release of a new live linear entertainment TV channel on 15th March 2022 supported by both companies: Helwa TV.

BluTV, where Discovery is also an investor, is Turkey’s local subscription video-on-demand service and was founded in 2016. It’s a major content producer offering a wide range of local and international TV series, movies, shorts and documentaries as well as live TV broadcasts and is home to all Discovery content and live TV channels.

Helwa TV, which will broadcast in Arabic and French, seeks to entertain the Arab and North African diasporas living in Europe and North America. It includes the most popular Turkish dramas and originals from BluTV, movies from Ninetnine’s leading pay-tv service ‘Le Bouquet Maghreb’, cooking shows, children’s content and Ninetnine’s originally produced and licensed content, including Les Amoureux Voyageurs, Family Football Club and other examples yet to come.

Mustafa Alpay Guler, BluTV International Managing Director, and Board Member says, “BluTV sustained a significant growth both in Turkey and abroad in very competitive territories. We became the largest original content producer in the region as the first SVOD platform in Turkey. Now we are looking to engage our audience with a linear TV offer and are very delighted to partner with Ninetnine for this new project. The company has a wealth of experience reaching Arab and North African diasporas as well as original content that is important to this market. This is also a perfect time for both companies to start thinking of future co-productions opportunities.”

Samir Zehani and Adel Hamla, co-founders of Ninetnine add, “We’re really delighted to create and operate a TV channel with BluTV. This is an exciting new chapter in the development of Ninetnine. Helwa TV will complement our strategy to deliver the very best content to our diverse audience. We’re dedicated to providing a channel with content that’s carefully selected to meet the needs of the Arab Maghreb diasporas across the globe.”