GCC joint productions to be broadcast through Platform 51

By Passant Hisham and Christine Susan Shine

KUWAIT: The Joint Program Production Institution for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCCJPPI) announced Saturday that it will broadcast its previous productions and launch new content through Platform 51, in collaboration with Kuwait’s Ministry of Information and Ooredoo Kuwait. The announcement was made Saturday during an event held to showcase the institution’s collaboration with the Kuwaiti streaming platform and its plans to produce new Arabic-language content.

Sheikh Mubarak Fahad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Director General of GCCJPPI, emphasized that this step reflects a new phase for the institution as it aims to activate the ‘soft power’ of GCCJPPI, drawing inspiration from the region’s rich cultural heritage. It’s part of a plan to distribute the institution’s productions through Gulf platforms in a first phase, followed by global digital platforms.

The institution is building on its legacy, embodied in cherished productions such as Iftah Ya Simsim, the first international co-production of the American children’s television series Sesame Street. Other GCCJPPI programs like Salamatak and Zaatoor were widely enjoyed by children across the Gulf between the 1970s and 1990s.

Abdulaziz Yaqub Al-Babtain

Saad Nafel Al-Azmi

Sheikh Mubarak Fahad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Sheikh Mubarak said the collaboration with Platform 51 aims to address urgent challenges, particularly the declining presence of the Arabic language in children’s media amid the overwhelming influence of foreign platforms and rapidly shifting social media trends.

He confirmed that the institution has already begun producing new programs that foster awareness, uphold cultural authenticity, promote shared values, and highlight the impressive achievements of the GCC countries across various fields.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Information, Saad Nafel Al-Azmi, Assistant Undersecretary for Media Services and New Media and head of the Platform 51 Coordinating Committee, said the platform is a cornerstone of the ministry’s 2022–2026 strategy. This strategy is dedicated to building a sustainable, influential, and inclusive media sector based on strong public-private partnerships, placing the citizen at the heart of the media process.

Al-Azmi explained how the ministry has worked to develop both the platform’s interface and content, creating a family-friendly digital space that nurtures creativity, delivers meaningful storytelling, reflects Kuwaiti society’s values and culture, and speaks to future generations.

In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, Abdulaziz Yaqub Al-Babtain, CEO of Ooredoo Kuwait, stressed the importance of high-quality partnerships between the public and private sectors as the real foundation for building a culturally cohesive and sustainable society. He noted with pride that the initiative is being led by talented Kuwaiti youths who prioritize innovation, showcasing the country’s ambitious capabilities.