ThreeSixtyPlus and Kaband Media partner on youth-driven Ramadan dramas

Youth-driven Arabic scripted content is emerging as a key pillar of Ramadan programming, as Dubai-based ThreeSixtyPlus has teamed up with Syria’s Kaband Media to co-produce two new series set to premiere on the first day of Ramadan, expected on February 18. The projects underscore a broader regional shift toward intimate, character-focused storytelling that speaks directly to younger Arab audiences grappling with questions of identity, pressure and ambition.

The two series, The Back Desk and House of Dreams, approach these themes through contrasting tones while remaining grounded in emotional realism. The Back Desk, a 30-minute social drama spanning 15 episodes, follows Yara, a working-class student whose world is transformed after she secures a scholarship to an elite school. As she navigates class-based discrimination, she also shoulders significant family responsibilities, including caring for her father, who is living with Alzheimer’s. The series stars Yara Sabri, with Masa Jammal and Qamar Altaey making notable transitions from influencer-led platforms to scripted drama.

In contrast, House of Dreams adopts a lighter, comedic lens. The 20-minute, 15-episode series centres on a group of young men and women sharing a home as they confront unemployment, financial stress, and the false promises of overnight success fueled by social media culture. Blending satire with emotional depth, the series reflects the everyday struggles and aspirations of a generation coming of age in a rapidly changing region.

Both productions were initially planned to shoot in Lebanon but were relocated to Syria following a sudden escalation in regional tensions between Israel and Iran, which significantly altered the risk environment. Executive producer Sarah Btaddini said the decision was taken to ensure production continuity. However, further challenges emerged during filming, including unrest and attacks in the city of Suweida and the withdrawal of the Lebanese director, forcing the team to reorganise operations mid-production.

With cast schedules fixed and no room for delays, the production pivoted quickly, forming two complete creative and technical units comprising around 90 crew members. Travel and security limitations meant Btaddini oversaw the shoot remotely, coordinating teams across borders through virtual production workflows and real-time communication.

The experience highlighted the growing reality for regional productions operating amid geopolitical uncertainty, where flexibility, reliance on local expertise, and resilient production models have become essential to delivering content on schedule.

Both series will follow a platform-first release strategy, premiering exclusively on Viu across the GCC for three months before expanding to regional broadcasters. House of Dreams and The Back Desk will air on Saudi Arabia’s Rotana (LBC) and Iraq’s Dijlah TV, with The Back Desk also scheduled for broadcast on Syria’s Lana TV.

Both ThreeSixtyPlus and Kaband Media are members of the CoProduction Salon community, and their collaboration reflects the kind of cross-border production frameworks increasingly supported by industry platforms that connect producers, platforms, and financiers across the MENA region.

Sources: www.broadcastprome.com