Reality TV

'Hydra Executives' rakes in top ratings

Sun, 2009-02-15 21:39 - By

Announcement, Media, Hydra Executives, Infinity TV, Reality TV, Showtime, Sulaiman Al Fahim

'Hydra Executives', the brand new English reality-based series that pits a team of eight American contenders against a group of eight British rivals, has raked in top ratings with its pilot episode

Hydra Executives continuously breaking viewership records as the show's drama and excitement build up week after week. Critics have been lauding the show for introducing the concept of reality TV, which can potentially change the face of entertainment television in the Middle East. The program, which debuted on January 07, 2009, features a team of eight American contenders and a group of eight British rivals and the challenges they undertake to win a business grant worth USD 1 million.

With a total of four contestants eliminated - one from the UK Team and three from the US Team - the Brits are trying to keep the momentum of their early success, while the Americans are working harder to beat their opponents despite the disadvantage of being two team members short. All the tasks so far have presented the contenders with daunting challenges, which make it all the more exciting to see who will emerge as the first-ever 'Hydra Executive' in the season's 23 remaining episodes.

The show is being aired on two different timeslots - every Wednesday at 7 PM and at 11 PM on Showtime and Infinity TV. A delayed telecast of the show's latest episodes also airs every Tuesday on Hollywood.TV and Emirates TV.

Auditions for ‘Hydra Executives’ Season 2 kicks off

Wed, 2008-04-16 22:49 - By

editor

Media Business, Media, ASUS, Blackberry, Debenhams, Etisalat, General Motors, Hydra Properties, Panasonic, Range Rover, Reality TV, Ziad Battal

Hydra Properties, one of the leading real estate developers in the UAE, has announced that auditions for season two ‘Hydra Executives’, the new English reality-based TV program featuring 16 individuals and their quest for a USD 1 million business grant, has begun in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Street Smarts: Proving Reality TV works and can win awards

Tue, 2006-12-05 18:29 - By

editor

Media Business, Media, Arab TV, Infinity TV, Reality TV, Street Smarts, Taleen Kirresh

Apart from Star Academy, which was a huge hit 3 years ago, but never recaptured its initial massive audience, no other reality TV shows managed to generate similar success... until Street Smarts.

This show bucked the trend of unsuccessful reality TV programs in the Middle East with Street Smarts 1, by proving that a culturally sensitive reality show could be hugely popular.

Street Smarts Smile!

Contestants of Street Smarts 1 with creator of the show Ziad Al Batal

So, it returned again with Street Smarts 2.

TheContestants

 The contestants of Street Smarts 2

And 'Street Smarts 2' has now achieved a nomination in the ‘Best Reality TV Programme’ category for inaugural pan-Arab MEB Awards 2007.

Street Smarts 2 features 16 Arab participants contending for prize money of US$ 100,000. The contestants are split into two mixed teams and will be judged on their expertise and skills through 15 intense and intellectually stimulating assignments in business, entertainment and creativity.

Over 4,500 applications were submitted from all around the Arab region, and the final contestants chosen come from Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Oman and Algeria. Every week, the losing team will vote out one team member. The viewing audience will also participate via SMS, voting off the contestant from the losing team.

Street Smarts is an Infinity TV production. The show is hosted by the popular Taleen Kirresh and is sponsored by Al Qudra Holding, an investment company in the UAE.

Apperantly, reality TV works in the Middle East. A production by MBC, 'The Biggest Winner' was also successful.

So, what's next?