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MBC buys TV rights for Indian films
Middle East Broadcasting Corporation Group (MBC) has bought the screening rights to 32 Indian movies for broadcasting on its network of channels, according to Emirates Business 24/7. MBC has acquired screening rights from UTV, India's media and entertainment company, industry sources said. The new films will be televised on MBC2.
Yahoo buys Maktoob
Yahoo has bought Middle East online portal Maktoob.com. The portal will be rebranded Yahoo Maktoob. The deal, announced today, is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter, but does not include all of Maktoob's offerings. Its Arabic search engine (Arabia) and Souq.com, the pair said, are not part of the deal, and will instead become part of a new internet group.
Al Jazeera to launch TV sports news channel
Qatar-based channel Al Jazeera Sports TV is launching an Arabic language sports TV news within the coming few months. As well as delivering sports news, the channel hopes to give viewers comprehensive coverage of the important international events. The 24-hour channel will air exclusive sports news as well as talk shows and programmes linked to events to which Al Jazeera Sports has TV rights.
Tribeca aims for Qatar film-making hub
Organisers of Qatar's first film event, the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, have said they want the country to be a regional filmmakers, through education initiatives and community involvement, Reuters reports. "We want to create a hub where filmmakers can stay," Amanda Palmer, Executive Director of the festival said. Existing filmmakers need a higher level of engagement and education, workshops, script-writing developments, producer-investor networking and distribution, she said
MultiSell opens in Abu Dhabi
Interactive media company MultiSell Technology MEhas said it plans to set up an office in Abu Dhabi with its partner, Middle East Optronics, a sister company to Emirates Aviation. The two are targeting sectors such as cultural centres, oil and gas, defence, corporate lobbies and retail, as well as supplying temporary equipment to event management and exhibitors at trade fairs.
Zayed Radio for Holy Quran launched
The Fujairah Culture and Media Authority has launched Zayed Radio for Holy Quran. The new radio station aims to spread the values of virtue, love and tolerance among people and to educate them about religious issues.
Oman Air hires PR agencies in Europe
Oman Air has appointed of Germany-based Combo Communications to looks after its PR activities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. PR agencies in France and UK have also been appointed, Oman's national flag carrier said.
Dubai Taxi, Kassab Media ink ad deal
Dubai Taxi Corporation has inked an agreement with Kassab Media, allowing to rent ad spaces on 2,950 Dubai Taxicabs for three years, renewable. The deal was worth Dhs10m, RTA has said. The deal does not include taxis of other companies operating under franchise agreement with the RTA.
Oman TV signs Mobile agreement
The Ministry of Information has signed an agreement with Oman Mobile to transmit Oman TV programmes via mobile phones, the Times of Oman has reported. A similar agreement will be signed with Omani-Qatari Telecommunications Company Nawras in the coming days to render the same service to Nawras subscribers, the ministry has said. The new service allows Oman Mobile 3G subscribers to view Oman TV's two programmes through packages to be provided by Oman Mobile.
AMG inks Al Naboodah agreement
UAE's Arab Media Group has announced the signing of a strategic agreement with the Al Naboodah Group aimed at a mutually beneficial exchange of services valued at over Dhs8m. BizXchange has led and facilitated the agreement between the two firms. No details were given as to the exact terms of the deal.
Toshiba renews EPL sponsorship
Toshiba Computer Systems Division has said it has renewed its multi million dollar contract with Orbit Showtime as the exclusive broadcast sponsor of the English Premier League's 2009/2010 season in the Middle East. 'The sponsorship has greatly aided in targeting customer affinity with Toshiba, thus increasing brand visibility among our partners across the entire region,' said Santosh Varghese, Regional General Manager, Computer Systems Division, Toshiba Gulf.
BBC Prime to rebrand
BBC Worldwide Channels has said that starting in November this year, its general entertainment channel BBC Prime will be rebranded as BBC Entertainment. The rebrand of BBC Prime to BBC Entertainment will bring the channel in line with BBC Worldwide Channels global portfolio of BBC-branded thematic channel brands, BBC Entertainment, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Knowledge, CBeebies and BBC HD. The rebranded channel will be supported by a recent investment in 800 hours of fresh programming.
Twofour54 launches Oman training
Twofour54 tadreeb, a regional media training academy, has delivered its first regional media industry skills training course at Muscat Press Agency's headquarters in Muscat, Oman. The 'Writing and Editing for Web' training programme aims to equip delegates with the skills required to produce high quality, vibrant online news content and enhance the six daily and weekly publications currently produced by the organisation. The event was hosted by Twofour54 tadreeb, in conjunction with instructors from the Thomson Foundation.
Iran closes reformist newspaper
Iran has temporarily closed down the newspaper of leading reformist Mehdi Karoubi for planning to publish a statement on its frontpage on Monday, the ISNA news agency has reported. The newspaper, Etemad-e Melli, was shut down late on Sunday on the orders of the Tehran prosecutor's office, Karoubi's party has said.
Saudi warns investors about 'offensive programming'
Saudi Arabia's Culture and Information Ministry has warned Saudi investors in satellite television stations not to cause offence to their country by allowing material which violates Islamic teachings to be aired, Reuters has reported. 'Every Saudi investor in satellite television channels has to be sensitive to patriotic and social responsibility,' Abdullah al-Jasser, undersecretary for media affairs at the Culture and Information Ministry has said. Saudi Arabia recently shut down some of LBC's offices in the country, following the broadcasting of an interview with a Saudi man speaking about his sexual adventures, citing lack of proper licensing.
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