MBC 2 (Middle East and North Africa)

Encyclopedia

MBC 2 is an Emirati free-to-air movie channel launched on 12 January 2003. On its debut, it broadcast movies and television programmes subtitled in Arabic, but after the launch of MBC 4 the channel specialised in movies only. The channel is based in Dubai Media City, United Arab Emirates, and is owned by the Saudi broadcaster MBC Group. The channel mostly broadcasts American Hollywood movies but it also seldom features British, Canadian, French, Indian, Chinese and other foreign films. MBC 2 has managed to negotiate long-term deals with the top Hollywood studios, securing first-run right and ensuring a steady flow of the top box-office movies.

MBC 2 has secured a deal to show 32 Indian movies after its initial broadcast of Jodhaa Akbar, which was a huge success and was appreciated by the public as well as the advertisers. This, however, ended up on MBC Max instead, due to tying in the Bollywood films as part of the dubbed films package so that these films can be watched by the Arab audience as well.

The channel largely targets the Arabic audience, especially young adults, and it has an important popularity among Arab viewers.

On 1 July 2011, MBC2 HD was launched.

From 24 March to 22 June 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic, MBC 2 used a logo with a house displayed on-screen.

Logo of MBC 2 HD.

Former logo of the channel.

Programming

Television series and current programming

  • Top of the Pops
  • Action Zone
  • Celebrity Style Story
  • On Set
  • Scoop with Raya
  • US Box Office
  • Young Hollywood’s Greatest…
  • Young Hollywood Presents: Evolution of…
  • Planet Action
  • Celebrity Scrapbook
  • Hollywood Buzz
  • Films & Stars
  • Making the Movies
  • Celebrity Scoop
  • Martial Law
  • Big Brother: The Boss
  • Big Brother Arabia
  • Big Brother : الرئيس
  • Scoop Box Office

Film blocks

  • Screaming Sunday : Sundays 1:30 p.m. KSA / 12:30 p.m. CLT
  • Monday Night Premiere : Mondays 11 p.m. KSA / 10 p.m. CLT
  • Big Family Night : Wednesdays 7 p.m. KSA / 6 p.m. CLT
  • Chiller Night : Thursdays 1 p.m. KSA / 12 p.m. CLT
  • Friday Mega Movie : Fridays 9 p.m. KSA / 8 p.m. CLT