Setting Up Public Service TV for Children
Monday 3rd of March
Wessex Media Group - Monday March 3rd
Setting Up Public Service TV for Children
Lessons from Al Jazeera’s Mission to Reach the Children of the Arab World
Mahmoud Bouneb
Executive General Manager Al Jazeera Children’s TV
interviewed by
Estelle Hughes
Former Controller of CITV
The Media School - Bournemouth University
7-00pm - Marconi Lecture Theatre
6-00pm - Reception and Networking
Two years ago Al Jazeera Children’s TV (JCC) was launched by the Qatar Educational Foundation under the leadership of Mahmoud Bouneb. The channel broadcasts eighteen hours a day by satellite to children in Arab communities in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. It was given the classic public service remit to educate, entertain and inform. How far has it got with those aims in a fast moving, highly competitive, multi-channel environment , what can UK children’s broadcasters learn from this experience and what opportunities exist for UK indies to be involved in JCC’s development? Mahmoud Bouneb answers questions on the story so far, outlines his plans to set up children’s news and pre-school services and shares his views on the future possibilities of children’s broadcasting with experienced children’s programme executive Estelle Hughes.
Mahmoud Bouneb
Mahmoud Bouneb is a veteran broadcaster with more than 25 years experience of international journalism and media. His positions have included Editor in the International Department at the Swiss Radio and TV Corporation and Chief Editor of Arab Programmes for Dutch International Radio and Television NOS. In the late Nineties, he moved to the Middle East and became Advisor to the Chairman of Board of Al Jazeera Channel and President of Qatar Radio and TV Corporation. In 2003, he was appointed Executive General Manager for Al Jazeera Children’s Channel.
Estelle Hughes
Estelle Hughes is a Director of 3Line Media Ltd., a production company and animation studio offering consultancy services across all areas of children's content and currently in production with a pre-school series for the BBC. As Controller of Children's ITV she was responsible for the launch of CITV. Estelle has also worked as Deputy Head of Acquisitions & Animation at Children's BBC and as a senior producer at the UK Disney Channel. She currently serves on the Executive Committees of the Showcomotion Children's Media Conference and Save Kids TV.
There is no charge for this event but you should register your intention to attend by sending an e mail to lena@wessexmediagroup.co.uk