Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced a partnership with MBC Group, first private free-to-air satellite broadcasting company in the Arab World to announce the launch of Shahid Application, the region's leading video on demand (VOD) service. As a regional first, Samsung Smart TVs across the Middle East and North Africa will feature the Shahid application. Shahid application & Shahid.Net are currently available for viewers to catch up on their favorite TV shows & series. The region's leading VOD, recorded 284 million media views in 2013 only. The new application is now available for viewers to enjoy what they have missed on TV, from series to shows and to global formats. “The television experience is rapidly evolving for viewers across the MENA region,” said Choong Ro Lee, President of Samsung Middle East and North Africa. “We at Samsung are dedicated to create new and innovative ways to deliver best viewing experience, and with our partnership with MBC Group we will continue offering viewers the content they want, when they want in a new MENA consumer lifestyle. As a leader in the visual display market, Samsung's Smart TV lineup offers a powerful platform for SHAHID service, providing viewers with unrivalled picture quality and the ultimate front row experience as they enjoy premium content.” Shahid experience will be enhanced further by Samsung's Curved UHD TVs, which usher in a new era of immersive viewing. The curved screen gives video content a wider field of view, creating a panoramic effect that brings images to life, while enveloping viewers in true-to-life clarity and detail. This is further enhanced by Samsung's Auto Depth Enhancer which automatically adjusts the image contrast for a greater sense of depth for a 3D effect without the glasses. Coupled with Samsung's signature PurColor technology, images on screen are heightened to bring the film makers' vision to life. Sam Barnett, MBC Group CEO, added: “Since 2007, Shahid has made the best Arabic content available on VOD. Recent upgrades to the service have also made it easier to search and faster to watch. We're now ensuring that this popular service is accessible across different devices. So we're delighted to announce this partnership with a leading company like Samsung and to have Shahid available on Samsung Smart TV's”. “Shahid viewers will be able to choose between SD or HD picture viewing to match their broadband network and speed,” he added. Shahid Application is now available on all new Samsung Smart TVs in Saudi Arabia. – SG
