UK-based distributor Espresso Media International has established a new partnership with Singapore-based Bitsmedia, supplying more than 20 hours of content for the company’s new SVOD platform Qalbox launching in late 2022. 

Qalbox is a global subscription video on demand (SVOD) streaming service providing Muslim lifestyle content and celebrating Muslim identities and cultures. Qalbox aims to provide comprehensive, curated, and diverse Muslim-centric content for the global community to discover and enjoy on a smart and secure streaming platform. Qalbox will be available for streaming in October 2022. 

The bespoke package of content from Espresso includes titles such as The Story of… Ramadan (1 x 60’) and Hidden Algeria (3 x 50’). 

The package also features new and popular history series Pirates of the Mediterranean, a 4 x 45’ series exploring the drama of the high seas where the Great Powers and the Ottomans were fighting to establish their dominance in the Mediterranean, through high-quality CGI, re-enactment, expert insights and archive materials. 

Also included is the documentary Beirut Blast: The Story of Warehouse 12 (1 x 90’). Through 30 interviews and stunning footage of both the event and of the aftermath, the feature documentary pieces the Beirut tragedy together and investigates the story of the incredibly dangerous stock of lethal explosive ammonium nitrate that was mysteriously held in the port for seven years before exploding. 

“We are very excited to have Espresso as a launch partner. As a fresh, new streaming service serving Muslims around the world, we are always seeking the best distribution and production partners to provide compelling content for our viewers,” says Fara Abdullah, Co-CEO of Bitsmedia. “Espresso’s worldwide reach and experience offer documentaries and factual content with not only access and insight but relevance, to the global Muslim community. We’re proud to be working with Espresso as we begin this wonderful journey.” 

“We are immensely proud and excited to have made this deal with Bitsmedia’s new SVOD service and are delighted it’s on such an expansive slate of compelling content – further strengthening our successful VOD  strategy,” adds Jess Reilly, Head of Sales and Acquisitions at Espresso. “We’re thrilled this content will be  reaching the global Muslim community and are thankful to the brilliant team at Bitsmedia for their support  and have no doubt this will be a fruitful and long-standing partnership.”