Al Jazeera has announced plans to launch two new sports channels in the US in August. The move follows the recent launch of French sports channels beIN Sport 1 & 2 through cable operator Numericable. The new channels will offer a mix of Spanish, French and Italian league football, as well as Copa America football. The channels will also broadcast qualifying matches ahead of the World Cup in Brazil. 

Middle Eastern broadcasters Rotana, Dubai Media Incorporated and Al Rayyan have signed content distribution deals with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) in order to air SPT feature films. The agreement is a first between SPT and Al Rayyan and a first between SPT and Rotana. Meanwhile, the deal with national broadcaster Dubai Media Incorporated updates a previous contract for movies to be shown on its Dubai One channel.

MBC has acquired exclusive rights to NBC's 'The Voice'. Sony Pictures Television Arabia will co-produce the local version of the reality singing show with MBC. "We are pleased to announce this multi-year agreement, in our capacity as the exclusive broadcaster of this international format that has gained much popularity and viewership across the world. We now offer the three strongest talent show formats in the region, across multi-platforms, and look forward to continuously bring the best of entertainment to our loyal viewers, browsers and followers," said Ali Jaber, group TV director, MBC.

Cost cutting at the BBC have forced the corporation's Arabic service to cut back as well. BBC's Arabic service has been asked to share its Middle East bureaus. Faris Couri, the editor-in-chief of BBC Arabic, said the service was "not immune" to the austerity measures in the UK and said that BBC Arabic has been asked to share staff with the corporation's English-language news channel and radio stations. "Neither the financial situation nor the editorial policy allows us to be a standalone operation," said Couri. "Within the next 18 months or so, we'll see more cooperation, working together with the news gathering."

According to new research by the Arab Advisors Group, the number of free-to-air satellite channels in the Arab World has increased by 19.3% over the past year. According to the research findings, the number of channels reached 642. The findings revealed that Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE host the highest number of free-to-air satellite channels.

The Alarab news channel will be recruiting 300 employees before it goes live early next year. The channel, which is backed by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, will broadcast from Bahrain. "From tonight, the countdown starts for our launch," said Jamal Khashoggi, the manager of Alarab at the Arab Media Forum in Dubai. "From 10 months to a year, Alarab will be on the air."