JEDDAH: Each year during Ramadan a huge surge in TV viewership, particularly, for Arabic dramas, is observed. However, according to Meltwater, a global media intelligence firm, an analysis of social media reactions around popular MBC TV channel’s Ramadan programs, show that people in Arab countries were more engaged with Arab entertainment and reality shows during Ramadan 2016, according to Al-Bawaba.
An analysis of the comments on Twitter and Facebook between June 6 to July 8, using Meltwater social media monitoring and analysis tools, reveal that the most talked about MBC show during this Ramadan was ‘Selfie’, a sketch comedy show that tackles controversial issues. ‘Selfie’, received 57 percent of mentions on social media.
’Al Sadma’, or the Shock, a prank show that uses shock therapy to examine human behavior in certain situations, was the second most talked about show generating 27 percent of social buzz.
In the third place is Egyptian prankster Ramez Galal’s ‘Ramez Plays with Fire’ show, that features several celebrities including Steven Segal, receiving 16 percent of mentions in comparison to other MBC Ramadan programs.
“Selfie is a picture of our society. It’s holding a mirror up to our problems, events and domestic issues,” Aws Al-Sharqi, the show’s director told CNN this month. “It captures the history, the present, our sad and happy moments. It also captures our problems and our flaws. That’s why it’s called Selfie.”
Each of the 30 episodes brought a different issue into the open like never before, tackling subjects that include the refugee crisis, extremism, gender inequality and sectarianism.
“Every Ramadan, there is a sharp increase in TV viewership,” says Zubair Timol, Area Director for India, Middle East & Africa at Meltwater.
“With the help of Meltwater tools we can analyze the sentiments, demographics, and social media conversations about shows on popular TV channels to understand their consumer reach and engagement. This gives brand and marketing managers solid information to make intelligent decisions regarding advertising and promotional campaigns for their brands.”
The highest amount of conversations about the MBC shows took place on Twitter (73 percent) followed by Facebook at (24.09 percent).
MBC’s ‘Selfie’ most talked about Ramadan show
MBC’s ‘Selfie’ most talked about Ramadan show
Christmas Eve winner in Arkansas lands a $1.817 billion Powerball lottery jackpot
- The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19
- The last time someone won a Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve was in 2011, Powerball said
ARKANSAS, USA: A Powerball ticket purchased at a gas station outside Little Rock, Arkansas, won a $1.817 billion jackpot in Wednesday’s Christmas Eve drawing, ending the lottery game’s three-month stretch without a top-prize winner.
The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19. The winning ticket was sold at a Murphy USA in Cabot, lottery officials in Arkansas said Thursday. No one answered the phone Thursday at the location, which was closed for Christmas. The community of roughly 27,000 people is 26 miles (42 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.
Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot higher than previous expected, making it the second-largest in US history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025, according to www.powerball.com. The jackpot had a lump sum cash payment option of $834.9 million.
“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, was quoted as saying by the website. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak — every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”
The prize followed 46 consecutive drawings in which no one matched all six numbers.
The last drawing with a jackpot winner was Sept. 6, when players in Missouri and Texas won $1.787 billion.
Organizers said it is the second time the Powerball jackpot has been won by a ticket sold in Arkansas. It first happened in 2010.
The last time someone won a Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve was in 2011, Powerball said. The company added that the sweepstakes also has been won on Christmas Day four times, most recently in 2013.
Powerball’s odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes growing as they roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes.
“With the prize so high, I just bought one kind of impulsively. Why not?” Indianapolis glass artist Chris Winters said Wednesday.
Tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
