2006
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Al Aan to Showtime
The recently launched Al Aan TV is now available on the Showtime electronic programme guide and bouquet. Al Aan, an Arabic language channel based in Dubai and geared towards a young female audience, will remain on the Nilesat and Arabsat broadcasting frequencies. Programming schedules can be found on the Showtime EPG.
Orbit gets Discovery Channel
Orbit and Discovery Networks Europe have agreed a deal which will see the Discovery Channel and Discovery Science broadcast on Orbit in the Middle East from January 2007. The channels will join the Discovery Network's venture with the BBC, the Animal Planet, as part of Orbit's line-up of channels. Discovery Channel, Discovery Science and Animal Planet are to be programmed 24 hours a day in English with Arabic subtitles.
OBG to produce AD law book
An analysis of Abu Dhabi's legal sector is to be produced following a tie up between Al Sayegh Richards Butler and the UK's Oxford Business Group. Written by a team of analysts based on the ground for six months, the 230 page The Report: Abu Dhabi 2007 will have a projected worldwide distribution of at least 75,000. It will be available in Q2 next year.
Malayala Manorama draw
Malayala Manorama, a UAE based Malayalam language newspaper, is to hold a grand draw for its Suvarnaksharangal, or Golden Letters, promotional campaign on December 19, reported Gulf News. The total amount of gold being given away is 1.3kg and the key sponsor for the promotion, which ended on December 14, is Sky Jewellery.
Cross-cultural discussion for DIFF
Hollywood veterans Richard Gere and Oliver Stone were last night part of a panel at Dubai's Madinat Theatre discussing the role of cinema in enhancing cross-cultural understanding, as part of the Dubai International Film Festival. The discussion also featured Brazilian filmmaker Julia Bacha, France based Ethiopian producer Maji-da Abdi, Egyptian director Mohammed Khan and Indian TV mogul Ronnie Screwvala. The event was moderated by Al Jazeera English's Riz Khan.
Travel Channel on Showtime Arabia
Showtime Arabia is adding the Travel Channel to its network from 1 January 2007. Programmes include features on the latest tourist hotspots, adventure holidays and expert reviews. Showtime has also signed up motoring channels Top Gear and Monster Garage.
DSF journo awards announced
Dubai Shopping Festival organisers are offering journalism awards in five categories, for both Arabic and English reports. They include best UAE reports and features, best GCC stories and best international reports. Each winner receives $5,000 in prize money. Entries will be taken up to 25 January 2007.
OBG appoints editorial director
Oxford Business Group, publisher of emerging markets guides, has appointed former editor of Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper, Peter Grimsditch, as its new editorial director. Grimsditch will direct editorial for the group's business publications covering the economies of Eastern Europe, North and South Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Dailies end parliament boycott
Jordan's four major Arabic dailies have ended their boycott of parliament after lower house speaker issued an apology for an attack on photographers by some deputies, Jordan Times reported. The photojournalists had been taking photographs of a fist fight between MPs on Monday, when they in turn were attacked and had their cameras confiscated.
Sacked CNBC staff appeal
Former employees of CNBC Arabiya, who say they were arbitrarily dismissed by the TV channel, have appealed to government authorities after Dubai Media City failed in its attempt to broker an agreement, Gulf News reported. The 40 employees were reportedly dismissed without notice on 30 November. They are seeking three months' wages as compensation.
Orbit signs EuroNews
Satellite TV service Orbit has signed an agreement to broadcast EuroNews in 25 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, Khaleej Times reported. The deal gives Orbit exclusive rights in 12 countries including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait; and non-exclusive rights in 13 others.
Setting up at DIFC
Essam Al Tamimi, publishers of Setting Up in Dubai, has released a companion publication - Setting Up in The Dubai International Financial Centre. It outlines the procedures and requirements for companies wanting to set up at DIFC.
OBG appoints Action
Oxford Business Group, the UK-based publishing, research and consultancy services company, has appointed Action Global Communications as its PR agency for Bahrain. Action will be responsible for developing Oxford's corporate communication campaign, and handling the launch of its publication, Emerging Bahrain 2007, in Q4 of that year.
Iraqi journalists under attack
More than 200 journalists have been killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003, according to a report by the Iraqi Journalists Protection Agency, cited by Gulf News. Some journalists have moved to the safer Kurdistan province, while up to 170 have applied for firearms licences, the daily reports. Journalist groups have blamed the government and police for not doing enough to protect them.
Pirated Islamic books at fair
Pirated books from three Arab publishing houses were seized by organisers of the Sharjah Book Fair, Gulf News reported. The unauthorised Islamic books were discovered on Sunday night. The matter has been referred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.
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