On the Sofa – In Other Words 3al Kanaba
Ramadan series, you must be kidding me!
What should I watch? What series come on which channel at what time?! It is definitely a hassle keeping up with the absurd number of TV series this Ramadan. I mean they are more than 85 productions or something. I am personally anti- TV series but maybe if there was a guide somewhere making life easier for me to know what could be interesting to watch and what not. A way I could watch series online instead of having to change the channel because I always get bored from the unbelievable amount of commercials, i might actually tune in.
Low and behold “3al Kanaba” comes to the rescue to make it all better, the 1st Egyptian online TV guide where I can create my own personal watch list and I get to choose what I want to watch. A life-savior to all of you series lovers, right? You’ll never miss your favorite show again! Think the Egyptian version of Side Reel.
3al Kanaba has many other features as well and it’s not just all about Ramadan. However, it was a perfect time for the website to launch. Props go to “Media & More”, the creative boutique that came up with the invention.
May Abdel Asim, Managing Director of Media & More told us all about the idea behind this invention, its diversity and what will happen after Ramadan’s TV jungle is over!
1) We heard that we can find “Celebrity updates” on “3al Kanaba”, how are you planning to do that?
Our editorial team will be out and about getting sneak peaks and interviews from behind the scenes of Egyptian hit shows. In addition to that we will have the latest bits and pieces on the latest international TV hits.
2) Tell us how much you think the TV affects Egyptians and how much does TV series affect Egyptian women?
I think the difference in TV consumption is age related rather then gender related. While he might be watching “Entourage” she might be watching “Grey’s Anatomy” or even vice versa. TV is part of the lives of Egyptians and with the concept of free high quality entertainment that brings the latest series to our living rooms via satellite for free, TV consumption in Egypt has changed.
3) Why do you think an idea like that could be successful in Egypt?
There are no TV guides in Egypt, apart from a few channels in local papers. If someone has OSN at home then he/she would have the TV guide only for that network and would be zapping around to find the show or check online for each channel. Who does that? Surely, no one. The concept of apps and doing your “business” online is what our demographic does nowadays. So from the comfort of your couch, with the ipad on your lap, you can check what to watch or create your watch list and get reminders not to miss your show.
4) Isn’t it a little risky because most online users are not really TV friendly?
The target segment is huge, since 3alkanaba.com is in English and Arabic (coming soon), so I doubt that the online streaming user will cannibalize the regular TV viewer, in the end both need to know what’s on when. Furthermore, you can watch aired episodes on 3alkanaba.com and online streaming will be a coming phase, by that again we cater to both categories. In addition to that you will have interesting content to read and follow up with.
5) “3al kanaba” are you catering a certain sector of our community, “7ezb el kanaba” or is this merely a coincidence?!
3alkanaba.com was supposed to be launched before the revolution, hence the name was there before the term “kanaba” in a political context came up. We postponed the launch due to financial problems during the political unrests and turmoil Egypt was in back then. (Still is though)
6) Tell us the Scoop on how you plan to keep the traffic on the website after Ramadan?
After Ramadan, all the English language channels of all networks will be active, hence the Ramadan TV boom will be replaced with diversity of local and International entertainment. As long as we provide interesting content and are in line with our target segment we will keep the huge traffic, that we have reached since the launch last week. Many interesting and fun competitions will follow. Stay tuned.
WE SAID THIS: 3al Kanaba is a COMPLETE overview on all English and Arabic channels with news and details on all shows, series and films. And it’s online. Genius, huh?
