Multi-year agreement will bring expanded US content to Middle East audiences LONDON: MBC Group, the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa region, announced on Friday the extension of its partnership with US entertainment corporation NBCUniversal. With the extension of its licensing agreement with NBCUniversal, MBC Group will continue to show Hollywood movies by Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation in the region. “We are pleased to extend our licensing deal with NBCUniversal. This deal allows us to bring top Hollywood titles to our audiences in the region,” Sam Barnett, CEO of MBC Group, said. “Through our collaboration, we are not only able to expand the reach of NBCUniversal content but also to work together to offer a range of films to different groups of people. We can bring major action and drama franchises, as well as family-friendly animations, to our various demographics.” As part of the multi-year agreement, MBC Group, which owns video-on-demand service Shahid, will broadcast Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation titles, such as “Despicable Me,” “Shark Tale” and “Shrek.” Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation family-focused features will also be broadcast on MBC2, MBC’s English-language movie channel. “We are delighted to extend our longstanding relationship with MBC Group through this new licensing deal,” said Belinda Menendez, president and chief revenue officer for NBCUniversal Global Distribution.