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Al Jazeera buys ART
Nasser al-Khulaifi, director-general of Al Jazeera Sport Channels has officially announced the purchase of all sports content, rights of broadcast and trademarks of the Arab Radio and Television (ART), Gulf Times has reported. Under the deal, Al Jazeera Sport Channels will add exclusive sport rights to its portfolio, including the FIFA World Cup 2010 and 2014 and the African Cup of Nations from 2010 to 2016. However, ART will continue to act as host broadcaster for the Saudi Football Federation games, and to transmit the matches on ART Sport 7 jointly with Al Jazeera Sport Channels until the end of the 2010-2011 season.
Google to buy web display ad company
Google has announced it is acquiring web display advertising startup Teracent, AFP has reported. US-based Teracent can pick and choose from thousands of creative elements of a display ad in real-time and tweak images, products, messages or colours for factors like geographic location, language or the time of day, Google said. 'This technology can help advertisers get better results from their display ad campaigns,' Google added in a statement.
Jordan cracks down on IPR violators
Jordan's highest authority tasked with safeguarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) has referred 500 IPR violations to the courts this year, as authorities look to crack down on the latest forms of software and satellite piracy, Jordan Times has reported. Several fines and imprisonments have been handed down by the National Library Department this year for the sale of pirated DVDs, software, hardware and books, as well as the hijacking of satellite network signals, NLD President Mamoun Talhouni told the newspaper.
Eclipse Digital agrees Wild Bunch content deal
Dubai-based digital media, archival and content acquisition management firm Eclipse Digital has entered into a partnership with France-based production and distribution company, Wild Bunch. The deal provides Eclipse Digital with access to over 1,000 titles held by Wild Bunch. The two parties will also identify and acquire other original form content, for TV, cinema and broadband distribution. The conversion of all material will be managed by Eclipse Digital to be distributed to broadcasters and other outlets in a digitally re-mastered format.
Renno CG wins Concord account
Concord, part of the Movado Group Inc, has appointed Renno Communications Group (Renno CG) as its corporate communications consulting agency for the Middle East region. Concord is an international brand of luxury watches, which designs, manufactures, and distributes Movado, Ebel, Concord, ESQ, Coach, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Juicy Couture and Tommy Hilfiger watches worldwide. Renno CG is a sister company of Renno and Associates, which is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Internet traffic up 'sixfold' by 2012
Robert Pepper, vice president of Cisco, has said internet traffic will have increased six-fold by 2012 in a five-year period, as more users view and post videos online, AFP has reported. Speaking before delegates Internet Governance Forum in Egypt, Pepper said that online traffic is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 46%.
People's Daily eyes UAE print run
The Peoples Daily of China has discussed with the UAE's National Media Council the possibility of publishing an overseas edition of the newspaper from the UAE, according to Wam. Once brought out from the UAE, the paper will cater to approximately 200,000 Chinese expatriates living and working in the country.
Report: Arab TV stations unprofitable
According to a report by the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, the Arab world's nearly 500 TV stations cost their owners $6bn annually to run, with only some $700m in actual ad-revenues, website Rapid TV News has reported. The top 10% of channels has 95% of the ad-support, the report said. Many of the channels are not interested in making profits and exist purely to push a specific theological or political agenda, the report noted.
Al Jazeera to buy ART sports channels
Al Jazeera TV in Qatar is buying six more sports channels to add to its current portfolio of eight. It has signed a preliminary agreement to buy the channels from Arab Radio & Television (ART). According to Rapid TV News, terms and pricing have not been disclosed, but formal contract is expected to be signed soon. Al Jazeera already has the rights to a number of football competitions, including the broadcast of the European Champions League, Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A. After the sale, ART will be left with one sports channel.
Nawras relaunches Mobile TV
Omani Qatari Telecommunications Co. (Nawras) has announced the reintroduction of its Mobile TV service in the Sultanate. A total of 12 national and international channels are offered by Nawras including Oman TV 1, Oman TV2, Aljazeera news Arabic, Aljazeera news English, CNBC Arabia, ART Prime Sport, ART Sport 1, B4U Music, ESPN, NEO Cricket, IQRA and Cartoon Network.
Al Jazeera launches in Austar Pay TV
Al Jazeera Network has launched its English language news service on Austar Pay TV, starting 15th November, the company has said. The Doha-based news channel will be offered through Austar starter package, and ca be viewed on Channel 651.
Eurosport Arabia opens Dubai office
Eurosport Arabia, the new web and mobile sports portal developed in partnership between Du and Eurosport, has opened its office in Dubai Media City. The new office will act as the editorial and production hub of the (arabia.eurosport.com) website and associated mobile services which will be launched later this year.
Sahara wins Sharjah Islamic Bank deal
Dubai-based Sahara Communications has announced the signing of a media consultancy contract with Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB). As per the agreement, Sahara will provide SIB with public relations services, including media coverage across the GCC, covering the bank's activities and updates.
twofour54 partners with MTV
Abu Dhabi-based content creation firm, Twofour54 has entered into a partnership with MTV Networks International, a division of Viacom Inc, to launch Comedy Central Studios Arabia. Comedy Central Studios Arabia, which will be based in Twofour54's offices in Abu Dhabi, will develop and produce Arabic comedy content for broadcast and distribution across the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond.
Illegal satellite users abound in Bahrain
The head of Orbit Showtime Middle East said illegal satellite users outnumber legitimate subscribers in Bahrain by five to one, forcing the company to 'fight for its survival', Gulf Daily News has reported. Marc-Antoine d'Halluin said the extent of illegal Dreambox usage is so severe that it has prompted the company to take a more hands-on approach to protecting its intellectual property rights. 'There is no larger challenge for Orbit Showtime than to protect our business and to ensure that our product is not stolen via users of the Dreambox,' he told the paper.
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