Orbit Showtime launches HD channels

DUBAI and BAHRAIN — Less than 6 months since the merger between Orbit and Showtime was first announced, Orbit Showtime, reveals its new name, OSN-Orbit Showtime Network, a new network look and feel and 8 new channels including OSN Arabia, the region’s first western entertainment channel totally dubbed into Arabic and the region’s first bouquet of three high definition channels.

With a brand new look for all its channels, OSN is the single destination for even more brand new premium Western and Arabic entertainment on offer and delivered through state of the art high definition technology.

Starting February 1st, OSN will launch 8 brand new channels including OSN Arabia, OSN Variety, Food Network, BET (Black Entertainment TV), Discovery ID and the regions first three high definition channels; OSN Movies HD, Discovery HD and Nat Geo Wild HD, with more HD on the way by mid 2010.

OSN Arabia is the destination for Hollywood’s best movies and series, totally dubbed into Arabic. Subscribers will be able to watch shows including House MD, CSI NY, House of Saddam and blockbuster movies such as 300, The Forbidden Kingdom and The Chronicles of Narnia totally dubbed into Arabic. With OSN Arabia”¦ Hollywood is speaking Arabic!

OSN Variety is packed with programs hosted by televisions most celebrated personalities including amongst many Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America live, The View, and the Martha Stewart Show.

Take a culinary adventure with the Food Network. A channel that takes you through the kitchen and out into a feast of travel and reality shows dedicated to your taste buds.

Discovery ID is one of the latest channels launched by the leading Discovery Network, now for the first time in the Middle East, offering viewers a shocking insight into true twisted and mysterious crime stories. With BET, Black Entertainment Television, subscribers will stay up to date with the latest news on their favorite celebrities and musical artists.

For the first time ever subscribers in the Middle East will be able to enjoy TV entertainment in high definition. OSN will be launching 3 exclusive HD channels this February. These HD channels will only be available on OSN’s HD receivers rolling out to OSN subscribers starting this February.

OSN Movies HD showing movies the way movies should be seen, in high definition, widescreen and with Dolby Digital sound. In addition to an amazing lineup of movies, OSN Movies HD will feature premium series & sports in HD including live coverage of the top English Premier League matches.

Discovery HD is a channel exclusively available on OSN, featuring premium content from the world’s leading Discovery Network and Nat Geo Wild HD also exclusively available on OSN, brings wildlife right into your TV room in mesmerizing high definition.

Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, CEO of Orbit Showtime Network said: “When Orbit and Showtime merged in 2009 we promised to deliver the best pay-TV platform in the Middle East and North Africa. Now, in less than six months we are thrilled to unveil OSN, a single platform that offers even more Western and Arabic premium content than ever before on its exclusive 75 channel platform. We continue to push boundaries and lead the industry by launching the regions first high definition bouquet and the region’s first Western channel fully dubbed into Arabic.”