BeIN Media launches ‘cinema replacement’ TVOD service

Middle East and North Africa region pay TV operator BeIN Media has launched a ‘cinema replacement’ video-on-demand offering in partnership with distributors to bring new movies to subscribers ahead of their theatrical release.

The pay TV service provider said that with cinemas closed across the MENA region due to the coronavirus pandemic, the initiative would enable it to offer new movies to customers immediately.

New movies will be available for US$10 each, enabling viewers to watch films that were not due to be released theatrically until later this month, it said.

More than 20 new movies will be released and available on beIN On Demand in the Cinema category in April and May, including The Song of Names starring Catherine McCormack, Tim Roth and Clive Owen, Into the Labyrinth starring Dustin Hoffman and Hope Gap, starring Bill Nighy and Annette Bening.

Yousef Al-Obaidly, CEO of beIN Media Group said, “At this incredibly difficult time, we know that people and families across MENA are looking for inspiration, light relief, and something positive to entertain them whilst they are being asked to stay indoors. beIN is proud to play its part during this crisis, and we’re thrilled to launch this new service with film distributors so that, together, we can provide the latest movies straight to subscribers whilst cinemas are closed.”