News

October 10, 2019

This year, Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth highlights the issue by showcasing the indomitable spirit of stateless children and youth.

beIN Media Group CEO warns the “glorious media rights bubble is about to burst”

October 10, 2019

“Rights values are going to drop off a cliff, and the very economic model of our industry is going to be re-written. Any rights-holders who think that the technology companies...

China-Arab film and TV distribution platform launched in Dubai

October 9, 2019

The MoU signed at the China Film Week is aimed at promoting cultural, technological and academic exchanges between China and the UAE. The event brought together more than 3,800 Chinese...

Dubai production house joins hands with CNN to elevate Japanese drink

October 9, 2019

Directed by Damiano Fieramosca, the stories on sake, a Japanese drink, unfold through personal and intimate insights by creating sensory experiences through immersive sound design and distinct visual textures.

MBC CEO Sam Barnett resigns after 17 years at the company

by Vijaya Cherian

Waleed Al Ibrahim, Chairman of MBC Group added that the network is looking to identify Sam’s successor "from a pool of top industry executives with global expertise".

Front Row to bring Sundance nominee The Farewell to UAE screens

The film has made over $18 million at the US box office to date and is strongly predicted to pick up Oscar nominations in several categories including best director, best...

Ncam announces new appointment for Sports & Broadcast market

Mike Ruddell, who will take on the role of Global Business Development Director - Sports & Broadcast at Ncam, joins from Sky to support the continued growth of AR and...

Nat Geo Kids Abu Dhabi announces new local series to promote sustainability

It’s Not Junk is an 18-episode series that will begin airing on October 9 at 5:30 PM UAE time / 4:30 PM KSA time.

Saudi SI First Gulf Company joins hands with Canon Middle East

Saudi Arabia has earmarked a little under US $1bn for culture and media by 2020, according to Oxford Business Group. Canon's partnership with FGC will enable both companies to provide...

SAE announces winners of Black Sheep Film Festival

October 7, 2019

The Black Sheep film festival is named after an award-winning documentary feature film by SAE’s Senior Film Lecturer and documentary filmmaker, Reshel Shah Kapoor.

Malmo Film Festival welcomes Arab film industry for ninth edition

October 6, 2019

The opening day brought together several stars from the Arab world while day two saw the opening of the fifth edition of the Malmo Market Forum, the industry arm of...

London-based beoutQ seller brought to book

October 5, 2019

Ammar Al Silawi received the maximum sentence of 300 hours of unpaid community service and has been ordered to pay legal costs to the Premier League.

“Comedy Central Presents: Menna w Fina” to kick off on OSN on October 6

October 4, 2019

Comedy Central promises a good line-up for this season of Menna w Fina featuring Yaser Baker, Abdulrahman Al Shikhi, Shaker Alsherif, and Nour Hadidi to name a few.

ACC partners offer grants to CineGouna SpringBoard participants

October 3, 2019

Organised by CineGouna Platform, CineGouna SpringBoard is a project development and co-production lab that enables Arab film directors and producers with projects in development or films in post-production to find...

Argosy opens new stock facility in Dubai

October 3, 2019

Infrastructure specialist relocates Dubai office to extend support services and shorten product lead times for its growing Middle East customer base.

Ethiopia welcomes first dedicated TV platform: Ethiosat

October 3, 2019

To access Ethiosat direct-to-home (DTH), Ethiopian TV viewers must have their respective local satellite antenna installer change the position of their antenna. This will allow them to receive the content...

Yalla Yalla acquires Arabic-language remake rights to French film “Intouchables”

October 2, 2019

The Front Row-Rocket Science venture is likely to be a Saudi/Egyptian co-production. The Arabic adaptation will be Yalla Yalla’s second production after Perfect Strangers, which is currently in pre-production.

Former Al Arabiya exec moves to Asharq TV as General Manager

Asharq TV, headquartered in Dubai, is the result of a cooperation agreement between Riyadh-based SRMG and Bloomberg, and is intended to be a multi-platform Arabic-language business and financial news service.

Cablenet uses Artel for Media-Over-IP connectivity in Cyprus

Cablenet uses the Artel media transport systems to connect stadiums across Cyprus and two remote production sites through the company's network and headends.

Clear-Com’s Eclipse HX matrix delivers all-IP wireless comms for F1 in Hungary

German wireless specialist HDWireless deployed the Eclipse HX digital matrix system trackside for the host broadcaster.

Nat Geo Kids Abu Dhabi premieres reality-TV series for young photographers

Fel Sora is an edutainment format in partnership with Nikon, and is produced and directed by Emirati director Omar Butti.

VSN announces new hires for EMEA

September 30, 2019

Both Sergey Astakhov and Alexander Kosushkin hail from Russia and come with several years of experience in the broadcast industry. VSN has secured several deals of late in Belgium, Spain...

Hollywood executives scout Jordan for film and TV projects

September 30, 2019

Representatives from Amazon Studios, Apple TV, Mandalay Pictures, Media Res Studio and Amblin Partners were among those who participated in the tour.

UAE Embassy screens ‘History of the Emirates’ doco at Nat Geo HQ in Washington

September 29, 2019

The documentary was presented by Image Nation Abu Dhabi and produced by Emmy winner Anthony Geffen’s Atlantic Productions. Excerpts from the series were followed by a panel discussion featuring Sultan Sooud...

“Born a King” to screen across GCC on Sept 26

China Film Week to begin in Dubai today

September 29, 2019

Chinese filmmakers to walk the red carpet in Dubai today at Roxy Cinemas, City Walk, for the world premiere of ‘Chinese Captain’. The First China-UAE International Film and Television Forum...

Spacetoon brings Gormiti to MENA TV audience

September 29, 2019

Spacetoon has acquired the licensing rights to 52 episodes of the Italian-French animation series which will be dubbed to Arabic. The animation is based on a popular European toy line.

Sharjah International Film Festival announces jury

September 26, 2019

This year's jury includes a diverse group of accomplished artists, film directors and social media influencers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Japan, France, Canada, UK and Syria.

Taking broadcasting higher with the cloud

In a chronically low-bandwidth region like the Middle East, cloud-based encoding technologies offer the best solution for streaming service providers looking to deliver content in HD, 4K, 8K and beyond,...

AFAC film week to kick off at Cinema Akil

Five regional features including films and documentaries will be screened at Cinema Akil as part of it collaboration with the Arab Fund for Art and Culture.

New Saudi comedy production launches on Intigral’s Jawwy TV

The 30 half-hour episodes feature Saudi actors Rashed Al Shamrani, Hassan Assiri and Fayez Al Maliki.

CNN to double programming hours from twofour54 Abu Dhabi

CNN International has launched two new evening programmes from its London bureau and added another hour of programming from its Abu Dhabi production centre.

GIIS launches film and radio courses for students

September 24, 2019

In line with the launch, GIIS hosted a screening of Reunion, a war-drama feature film, directed by 18-year-old, award-winning Canadian filmmaker and music composer Kesava Geeta Kumar.

Advanced Media expands presence in Dubai with Al Quoz showroom launch

by Vijaya Cherian

September 24, 2019

The 1500 sqft showroom will work the same timings as the Bur Dubai unit although plans are in the offing to keep it open on Saturdays, and allow a pick-up...

Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth details announced

September 23, 2019

Around 132 films from 39 countries have been selected to be screened from a total of 1,454 submissions from 86 countries, across seven categories. Screening venues in Sharjah as well...

Studio City releases details about ON.DXB event aimed at TV and film community

September 23, 2019

The inaugural event will take place at the Sound Stages in Dubai Studio City from November 21-23 and feature live music, workshops, keynote talks and networking opportunities led by regional...

Dubai to host new festival for media at Studio City in November

September 22, 2019

ON.DXB will host filmmakers, music producers, videographers, animators and game developers, in addition to government agencies working to develop these industries.

19th Edition of Arab Media Forum to be held in March 2020

September 22, 2019

The two-day Forum will look at the key drivers of the development of various media sectors and explore ways to enhance the public’s trust in the press.

Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019 lights up UAE capital

September 21, 2019

The show will premiere in MENA on September 24th at 17:00 UAE/16:00 KSA on Nickelodeon on OSN. The show will be aired globally on Nickelodeon channels in the USA, UK,...

Hariri shuts down Future TV

September 20, 2019

In August 2019, staff at the broadcast station went on a strike to protest nonpayment of wages. The TV network employed more than 300 media professionals including freelancers.

Arabsat issues statement upholding new French court ruling against beIN

September 19, 2019

A statement from the satellite operator said: "Arabsat warns against inaccurate media statements and reports in the face of final court rulings. Based on its belief in the rule of...

disguise to come to Dubai as part of EMEA Open House tour

September 19, 2019

Attendees at the European Open House showcase will be able to discover how the disguise workflow can be used to explore designs, present concepts, sequence shows, and deliver the most...

MBRSC and Nat Geo to air film on Emirati space mission today

September 19, 2019

The UAE's first mission to space will take place on September 25. The documentary premieres today (September 19) at 8pm UAE time on National Geographic Abu Dhabi.

ZEE5 and Jalesh Cruises partner to launch exclusive offers in the Middle East

September 18, 2019

This partnership gives Jalesh Cruise guests in the Middle East a one-month free subscription to ZEE5, offering them access to the platform's premium content including Originals and Bollywood movies.

Nikon Middle East announces cinema competition

Nikon is offering more than $20,000 worth of prizes as well as a chance for shortlisted winners to screen their work at a special event in Dubai.

Pakistan’s telco opts for Irdeto’s Trusted Home

This partnership ensures that PTCL’s broadband customers can protect their children against unwanted content, manage screen time, and control their access and Internet consumption on the connected devices.

3SixtyConsult Founding Partner steps into role of Managing Director

David Gatward, founder of the business, will maintain a non-executive role. 3SixtyConsult has taken on and completed major assignments including major broadcast facilities and studios in Abu Dhabi and other...

Red Sea International Film Festival invites submissions for competition

The Yusr Awards offer cash prizes totaling $250,000 in diverse fields, including directing, screenwriting, and acting. The awards are designed to recognize daring, elevate new voices, and encourage film culture...

MBC launches new channel for Maghreb region

Referred to as ‘MBC Cinq’ in French, the free-to-air channel will televise content that caters to the North African region’s cultural and historical heritage. The channel will broadcast a range...

National Geographic premieres star-studded ‘Activate’ series

Featuring Hugh Jackman, Priyanka Chopra, Usher and Pharrell Williams, the six-part documentary series uses a multi-platform storytelling partnership to drive action around global challenges connected to extreme poverty.

“Free Solo” wins seven Emmy Awards

September 16, 2019

Produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi and National Geographic, Free Solo follows Alex Honnold’s attempt to climb El Capitan – a 3,000 ft high vertical rock in Yosemite National Park...

Rotana Audio Visual partners with Twitter to offer voting on The Talent

September 16, 2019

The Twitter platform allows fans to vote for their favourite contestant of The Talent programme through Direct Messages.

Arabsat announces the launch of streaming service with Tooli

by Vijaya Cherian

Tooli will initially carry Arabsat’s free-to-air channels but is already in talks with pay-TV content owners and platforms to bring their content as well onto the platform with the aim...

Pay-TV industry believes that the way forward lies in OTT: NAGRA report

The growth of IP services has disrupted the pay-TV market resulting in paid offerings becoming more diverse, with a focus on packaging and bundling innovation and new services to drive...

EditShare introduces training and certification programmes with Academy

A mix of instructor-led and e-learning courses designed to take students from beginner to expert in EditShare tools and workflows, the EditShare Academy offers a structured curriculum that culminates in...

MultiDyne acquires Census Digital

Acquisition strengthens audio monitoring and processing portfolio with new embedded and openGear solutions, while extending fiber transport family

Amagi announces 1,000-channels broadcast monitoring facility

September 14, 2019

The facility in New Delhi can monitor up to 1,000 channels with 24x7 support, and is powered by a playout monitoring platform in the cloud.

Open Broadcast Systems-PROLANE tie for IP video delivery across Middle East

September 13, 2019

With this partnership, Middle East-based broadcast services provider PROLANE has expanded its offering to provide a number of video services over IP.

Broadcast Solutions acquires Videlio Middle East

September 13, 2019

The acquisition will enable Broadcast Solutions to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and Africa.

Discovery extends Egypt Tourism partnership

September 13, 2019

The deal will see Discovery produce content for Egypt Tourism on a global level, making the channel its only non-news network partner for the duration of the campaign from August...

OWNZONES partners with AWS to demo IMF and cloud content supply chains at IBC