Zinc Media Group, a U.K.-based factual production company, has secured a $6 million contract to revamp and produce the 18th season of the Qatar Foundation’s educational reality TV program “Stars of Science.” This venture represents Zinc’s inaugural major entertainment project in the Middle East.
As one of the longest-running shows in the Arab world and among its diaspora, “Stars of Science” showcases Arab innovators and entrepreneurs as they develop their ideas into inventions with expert guidance.
Zinc has been tasked with a comprehensive creative overhaul of the format, enhancing its storytelling and studio experience by incorporating AI technologies to appeal to a new generation of viewers, as per a statement.
Andrea Hamilton, known for her work on “The Voice” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” will serve as executive producer for the upcoming season, lending her expertise to this format update, the statement added.
Hamilton remarked that “Stars of Science” holds a significant legacy and cultural impact in the region. She emphasized the opportunity to evolve the format for a new generation by infusing more scale, emotion, and engaging storytelling, while keeping innovation central to the show. Hamilton hopes viewers will connect not only with the inventions but also with the inventors themselves.
The forthcoming season will be produced by Zinc’s Middle Eastern label, The Edge, a Media City Qatar company, in both Arabic and English. Zinc Distribution will manage international sales and oversee marketing and communications for the show across 22 Arab countries and the global Arab diaspora.
Faye Jackson, Zinc Media Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, commented, “This is a significant commission for Zinc and a major milestone for our Middle East operations. Our new base at Media City Qatar enables us to harness Zinc’s full capabilities—premium production, entertainment expertise, international distribution, and strategic communications—all focused on one show.”
Zinc Media is recognized for an array of productions, from the BBC’s BAFTA-winning documentary series “The Death of Yugoslavia” to popular lifestyle and reality shows such as “Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour” and “Police Interceptors.” The company operates a diverse range of labels, including Tern TV, Raw Cut, Brook Lapping, Red Sauce, Supercollider, The Edge, Tomos TV, Rex, Electric Violet, Atomic Television, Bumblebee, and its global sales and distribution branch, Zinc Distribution.
