Now, Arabic-speaking Majid will enchant through TV

Popular characters of Majid TV.

Majid, the 11-year-old Emirati boy who has endeared both children and adults alike, will soon come into the living rooms with the launch of a new TV channel. Majid Channel is inspired by the magazine and comic book with the same name, which was established 37 years ago and has become a cultural phenomenon not just in the UAE, but throughout the Arabic speaking world.
Abu Dhabi Media company (ADM) announced Majid Channel in March this year and now, after creating 150 hours worth of content, including 70 hours of animated content, the channel will begin broadcasting on September 25.
A cartoon character, Majid dresses in traditional attire and speaks the local Emirati dialect. Along with his friends, Kaslan, Karamella and Captain Khalfkan, Majid experiences all sort of adventures that make for entertaining as well as educational stories.
According to Mohammed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, chairman and managing director of ADM, there are over half a million Arabic speaking children between the ages four and 14 in the UAE, and the number is expected to increase by six per cent annually to reach 1.5 million by 2030.
"Yet, Arabic language shows for children make up less than 35 per cent of the total number of children's shows aired in the UAE as a whole, 88 per cent of which are not even produced in the Arab world," pointed out Al Mahmood. The new TV channel will broadcast a variety of programmes with the Adventures of Majid in the lead.
"I have so many childhood memories connected with Majid magazine and I would like to express my appreciation to all those involved in establishing the TV channel, which plays a vital role in preserving both the Arab and UAE cultures and traditions in a creative and entertaining way," said Dr Ali bin Tamim, board member of ADM and advisor for Cultural and Heritage Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court.
Majid will air 24 hours daily with eight hours of new shows every day, the rest being re-runs. The cartoon and talk shows are centred on Majid's characters, but there will also be non-Majid talk shows, all directed to children and all meant to showcase the UAE's and the region's authentic tradition, values and culture. Majid TV comes only a couple of weeks after the revival and launch of another famous Arabic cartoon, the Arabic Sesame Street, which is now broadcasted weekly across several local TV channels.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com