Asharq Documentary, achieves the fastest growing documentary channel in the MENA region and celebrates one year anniversary of outstanding accomplishments

• Aired more than 1000 hours of a wide variety of documentaries on TV, with 620M views across multiple platforms
• Providing in-depth analysis on pressing issues from; history, politics, culture and current affairs with a range of original Arabic language documentaries tailored to appeal to audiences across the MENA region
• A new line-up of shows includes: ‘Faces’, ‘Doomsday Bunkers’, ‘Sayyid al-Bayd…Muhammad al-Thabeti’, ‘Loose Weapon, ‘Gothicism’, ‘Germany’s Enemy Within’, and ‘Passports for Sale’ with more than 50 hours of exclusive documentaries on the US Presidential Elections

Asharq Documentary is celebrating its one-year anniversary, a milestone of providing exciting streamed & on-demand unique documentary content for Arabic audiences across the region.

In its inaugural year, Asharq Documentary celebrates providing more than; 1,000 hours of show content, 20,000 posts, accumulating in an impressive 620+ million views across multiple platforms.

With a social media following that now exceeds 3 million followers, Asharq Documentary currently stands as the fastest-growing entity on digital and social media platforms and the premier source of high-quality documentaries in the Mena region.

Commenting on this significant occasion, Mohammed Al Yousei, General Manager of Asharq Documentary, said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at Asharq Documentary in such a short time, with the unwavering support of SRMG.

Asharq Documentary has captivated the attention of hundreds of millions, whilst achieving extraordinary viewership numbers across various media platforms.

The channel has aired some of the most prominent and significant Arabic and global documentaries, as well as distinctive and high-quality original productions. This emphasises our commitment to delivering Arabic content to meet the diverse expectations of viewers, across our region.”

In celebration of its one-year anniversary, Asharq Documentary has unveiled a new line-up of its own content and productions spanning politics, culture, business, economics, and history.

Providing viewers with high production value content and fresh and in-depth analyses of historical topics and events. Asharq Documentary delves into untold stories about issues that have shaped our contemporary world and explores the lives of influential figures.

New original documentaries include:

‘Faces’: This docuseries consists of 30-minute episodes, using cutting-edge AI-generated animations to depict historical and contemporary figures from various fields such as politics, economics, sports, and technology.

Exploring the lives of cultural names, such as former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, financier and convicted felon Jeffrey Epstein, and American entrepreneur and CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman, among other well-known figures.

‘Doomsday Bunkers’: This two-part documentary delves into the clandestine world of nuclear shelters across Europe, tracing the legacy of the Cold War and examining the contemporary relevance of these fortifications.

It investigates the tension between Russia and the West and explores whether these bunkers and shelters could truly offer protection or if they are ultimately futile against the potential annihilation of Europe.

‘Gothicism’: Showcasing how the Goth subculture came to life and highlights the atmosphere that enveloped Leipzig, Germany. Exploring a city of followers inspired by the music and fashion of the Gothic movement, clad in striking and unconventional black attire, fully immersed in the aura of intrigue and surrounding mythology.

The film delves into how these hidden aspects of the Gothic subculture evoke not only fear but fascination, revealing a complex tapestry of perspectives in the heart of the Leipzig community.

‘Loose Weapon’: The arms trade in Afghanistan has become a crucial source of income for numerous tribes, factions, and organisations, with its prominence significantly escalating following the Taliban’s rise to power.

This documentary provides an in-depth examination of this clandestine industry, navigating through the complexities of illegal arms trafficking and uncovering the intricate web of deals that sustain it.

‘Sayyid al-Bayd…Muhammad al-Thabeti’: In the mid-20th century, a significant literary conflict arose between traditional and modern free verse poetry, prominently featuring the Saudi poet ‘Muhammad al-Thabeti’, or “Sayyid al-Bayd who marked a pivotal shift in modern Saudi poetry.

His innovative work is chronicled in detail in this documentary.

On the launch of these exceptional original shows, Al Yousei commented saying: “The launch of these original productions marks a significant milestone in our journey to deliver engaging and innovative real-life stories. These new documentaries will offer viewers fresh perspectives on issues, events, and personalities that continue to make headlines around the globe.

This demonstrates the strong appetite for high-quality Arabic-language documentaries. With the launch of our in-house productions, we are fulfilling our promise to provide original Arabic content that resonates with our diverse audiences, specifically in the region.” 

In addition to the original productions, Asharq Documentaryis also introducing a new line-up of licensed and acquired documentaries.

These include documentaries that have never-been-seen before in Arabic such as: ‘Germany’s Enemy Within’, ‘The Click Trap: The Dark side of Google’s advertising’, ‘Svetlana: My father is Joseph Stalin’, and ‘A Cold War Of Spies’.

In addition to that, from 8 September until 5 November, Asharq Documentary is airing more than 50 hours of exclusive documentaries on the US Presidential Elections.

SRMG, the largest integrated media group from the MENA region, launched Asharq Documentary in 2023 as part of the Group’s broader transformation strategy to deliver original, exclusive, market-relevant content.

Today’s announcement represents the next phase in Asharq Documentary’s commitment to delivering in-house productions that reflect the dynamic narratives and perspectives of the region.

It also highlights Asharq Documentary’s pivotal role in reshaping the regional filmmaking industry by providing a platform for local and regional filmmakers, directors, and producers to reach wider audiences.

Asharq Documentary is accessible free-to-view across the region through satellite coverage on Arabsat and Nilesat, and it can also be accessed on the catch-up service Asharq NOW and Asharq Documentary’s social media platforms.