2005
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Internet, news of the future
A majority of 58% of respondents to a Gulf News-YouGov poll in the region believes that the internet would become the most popular source of news in the next ten years, and 76% expected that it would be free of charge. An overwhelming 83% believed the local media in their area was censored.
Dubai Sports Channel rebrands
Dubai Media Inc is relaunching Dubai Sports Channel as part of its strategy to position the channel on an international level. DSC will start its broadcast on New Year's Day, concentrating on local and Gulf events. The logo is intended to reflect "a spirit of modernity and development", according to chairman Ahmad Al Sheikh.
Minis everywhere at Madinat
The BMW group's Mini brand has decked out the first floor of Souk Madinat's car park in Dubai with posters and messages, including a Mini car suspended from the wall at the entrance, as part of an advertising campaign. Special reduced size car spaces have been created to remind drivers about the advantages of owning a Mini.
Mobily blocks Star voting
Saudi mobile phone company Mobily has barred users from text message voting in the pan-Arab version of Star Academy, after an earlier religious edict deemed the show immoral, according to Reuters. The program is carried by the Lebanese channel LBC and was very popular in its first two seasons.
Journalists win for IPR reports
Business Software Alliance has announced the winners of the Arab IPR Media Awards 2005, in which journalists were recognised for reports about intellectual property rights. The winners are Mahmoud Saberi of Gulf News, Thair Soukar of Channel Arabic Magazine, Isaac John of Khaleej Times, Mohammad Mousa of Al Khaleej, and Haider bin Abdel Redha bin Dawood of Oman Daily.
ME TV sector unsustainable
A report by Booz Allen Hamilton cited in Gulf News has questioned the sustainability of the television industry in its current form in the Middle East, saying that there are too many channels funded by private cash and not enough transparency or investment in free-to-air TV. It says in a market of close to 150 FTV channels, about 80% of advertising revenue is going to the top eight.
Cyber Gear, GmbH tie-up
Cyber Gear, a web design company in the Middle East, has signed a contract with Germany-based Media Access GmbH to develop a web based interactive application which it says will help in the design of advertisements. The application will have a multilingual XML based text input which can be released simultaneously to media throughout the world.
Hollywood returns to UAE
Hollywood filmmakers are planning to shoot up to 70% of big budget movie The Alchemist in the UAE, a screen adaptation the book by author Paolo Coelho, according to Gulf News. Producers say they want to encourage more filmmakers to explore business opportunities within the industry in the UAE. Dubai has been used for previous Hollywood shoots, including scenes in Syriana starring George Clooney.
Dubai Media Inc seeks truth
Dubai Media Inc has launched a Media Ethics Charter as a step towards corporate commitment to achieve highest standards of transparency, credibility and objectivity. The Charter states that it is DMI's obligation to convey the truth to the public, the government, viewers, suppliers, employees and the media.
Dubai cinemas must pay tax
The Dubai Municipality is cracking down on cinemas that fail to pay a 10% local tax on ticket prices, reported Gulf News. Under a new administrative order cinemas must submit ticket sale records on a monthly basis to the local authority.
Online ME photo database
ArabianEye.com, an online photo database for images of the Middle East, has opened an office in Dubai. MD Celia Paterson says global media organisations are desperate for creative imagery of the Middle East, and the local advertising industry is also another ready market for the library.
Arabies Trends wins GCC award
Arabies Trends, the international magazine on Arab affairs, was judged the best international media brand at the GCC National Brands Excellence Awards in Dubai. The publication is wholly owned by the France-based SCC Groupe Media.
Ronaldinho talks up ASPIRE
Qatar's Academy for Sports Excellence has engaged FIFA footballer of the year Ronaldinho to front a television commercial in a drive to raise awareness about the centre. Commercials will also feature champion middle distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj. ASPIRE opened the world's largest indoor sports dome in November.
Satellite subscribers set to soar
There will be around 41m homes with multi-channel television in the Middle East and North Africa by the end of 2010, with 68% connected to cable and satellite television, according to industry experts. The 12th Middle East International Cable, Satellite and Broadcasting is running three distinct segments: cable and satellite equipment and accessories, broadcast and production, and communications.
MBC, future entrepreneurs
MBC's reality show, The Investor, is expecting to address real issues facing Middle East entrepreneurs. The show will see 13 pairs of would-be entrepreneurs challenged with an array of business tasks. It is anchored by businessman Waleed Juffali.
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