• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • TV/Radio Deals
  • Film partnerships
  • New appointments
  • Production
  • TV Channels
MENA TV Sector – 2012 in Review

MENA TV Sector – 2012 in Review

January 15, 2013
Du expands Disney+ partnership with one-year free access

Du expands Disney+ partnership with one-year free access

July 11, 2025
Ad 1
Dubai Studios hosts semi-final judging round of International Emmy Awards

Dubai Studios hosts semi-final judging round of International Emmy Awards

July 11, 2025
Du and Omantel activate Oman-Emirates Gateway subsea cable

Du and Omantel activate Oman-Emirates Gateway subsea cable

July 11, 2025
SES and Intelsat deal receives Federal clearance

SES and Intelsat deal receives Federal clearance

July 11, 2025
Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to premiere at Locarno Film Festival

Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to premiere at Locarno Film Festival

July 11, 2025
Du renews partnership with Huawei

Du renews partnership with Huawei

July 11, 2025
UAE entities seek director and exec producer from among People of Determination

Abu Dhabi’s CMA and Fingerprint Media sign deal to boost Arabic productions

July 11, 2025
Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission to participate in Avignon Festival

Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission to participate in Avignon Festival

July 11, 2025
Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

July 10, 2025
Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

July 10, 2025
Neo Space Group finalises UP42 acquisition from Airbus Defence and Space

Neo Space Group finalises UP42 acquisition from Airbus Defence and Space

July 10, 2025
Lionsgate appoints Adam Fogelson as Vice Chair of Motion Picture Group

Semafor names Matthew Martin Saudi bureau chief and SWF editor

July 10, 2025
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Magazine Archive
  • Directory
  • Contact
Saturday, July 12, 2025
BroadcastPro ME
  • News
    • All
    • Analyst Reports
    • AV
    • Cinema Theatres
    • Esports
    • Film partnerships
    • International News
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • New appointments
    • OTT/Video Streaming
    • Podcasting
    • Production
    • Satellite/Broadcasting
    • Satellite/Comms
    • TV/Radio Deals
    Du expands Disney+ partnership with one-year free access

    Du expands Disney+ partnership with one-year free access

    Dubai Studios hosts semi-final judging round of International Emmy Awards

    Dubai Studios hosts semi-final judging round of International Emmy Awards

    Du and Omantel activate Oman-Emirates Gateway subsea cable

    Du and Omantel activate Oman-Emirates Gateway subsea cable

    SES and Intelsat deal receives Federal clearance

    SES and Intelsat deal receives Federal clearance

    Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to premiere at Locarno Film Festival

    Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to premiere at Locarno Film Festival

    Du renews partnership with Huawei

    Du renews partnership with Huawei

    UAE entities seek director and exec producer from among People of Determination

    Abu Dhabi’s CMA and Fingerprint Media sign deal to boost Arabic productions

    Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission to participate in Avignon Festival

    Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission to participate in Avignon Festival

    Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

    Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

    Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

    Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

    Trending Tags

    • broadcast
    • MENA broadcast
    • ConnecTech2019
  • Tech Features
    • All
    • CASE STUDIES
    • New Media
    • REVIEWS
    • TV/Radio Deals
    • Updates from FOMEX
    • Virtual Production Series
    Breaking free from the hardware cycle: Cloud collaboration in post-production

    Breaking free from the hardware cycle: Cloud collaboration in post-production

    Playing to win

    Playing to win

    The expanding role of AI in broadcast

    The expanding role of AI in broadcast

    The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

    The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

    Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

    Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part IV

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part III

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

    Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

    Trending Tags

    • Videos
      FOR-A’s award-winning HVS-Q12: A quantum leap in switcher design

      FOR-A’s award-winning HVS-Q12: A quantum leap in switcher design

      Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

      Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

      Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

      Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

      Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

      Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

      Reema Omari

      Reema Omari on Universal Satcom’s growth and connectivity solutions

      Mustafa Afifi

      Mustafa Afifi of Rivada Space on Outernet’s impact in the Middle East

      Don

      ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen on Mideast ties and satellite strategy

      KSASummit

      Transforming Arabic Content: Studios, Producers and Regional Impact

      Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

      Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

    • Opinion
      Survival of the Smartest: Cloud Playout as a Strategic Weapon

      Survival of the Smartest: Cloud Playout as a Strategic Weapon

      Bridging the Latency Gap with Broadcast in a Streaming World

      Bridging the Latency Gap with Broadcast in a Streaming World

      YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

      YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

      Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

      Sport’s Growing Grip on MENA Media

      MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

      MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

      Integrate ME 2023 brings its inaugural edition to successful conclusion

      Empowering the next generation of content creation and live broadcasting with AV PRO

      Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

      Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

      Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

      Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

      Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

      Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

      Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

      Saudi Arabia emerges as the epicentre of Media & Entertainment in 2025

    • Interviews
      • All
      • Lounge
      Sand, sweat and high stakes

      Sand, sweat and high stakes

      All eyes on AIUIa

      All eyes on AIUIa

      Grass Valley scales up with software and IP workflows

      Grass Valley scales up with software and IP workflows

      Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

      Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

      New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

      New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

      Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

      Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

      UAE Pro League flips the field

      UAE Pro League flips the field

      Bringing the wild to the Middle East

      Bringing the wild to the Middle East

      Shades of success

      Shades of success

      Navigating the news wave

      Navigating the news wave

    • Products
    • Magazine Archive
      • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
      • PRO Directory
    • Events
      • News from Events
      • Upcoming Events
      DICM

      DICM

      IBC Show

      IBC 2025

      MPTS

      CABSAT2025

      CABSAT2025

      NAB Show

    No Result
    View All Result
    BroadcastPro ME
    • News
      • All
      • Analyst Reports
      • AV
      • Cinema Theatres
      • Esports
      • Film partnerships
      • International News
      • Mergers/Acquisitions
      • New appointments
      • OTT/Video Streaming
      • Podcasting
      • Production
      • Satellite/Broadcasting
      • Satellite/Comms
      • TV/Radio Deals
      Du expands Disney+ partnership with one-year free access

      Du expands Disney+ partnership with one-year free access

      Dubai Studios hosts semi-final judging round of International Emmy Awards

      Dubai Studios hosts semi-final judging round of International Emmy Awards

      Du and Omantel activate Oman-Emirates Gateway subsea cable

      Du and Omantel activate Oman-Emirates Gateway subsea cable

      SES and Intelsat deal receives Federal clearance

      SES and Intelsat deal receives Federal clearance

      Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to premiere at Locarno Film Festival

      Red Sea Film Foundation-backed films to premiere at Locarno Film Festival

      Du renews partnership with Huawei

      Du renews partnership with Huawei

      UAE entities seek director and exec producer from among People of Determination

      Abu Dhabi’s CMA and Fingerprint Media sign deal to boost Arabic productions

      Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission to participate in Avignon Festival

      Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission to participate in Avignon Festival

      Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

      Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

      Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

      Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

      Trending Tags

      • broadcast
      • MENA broadcast
      • ConnecTech2019
    • Tech Features
      • All
      • CASE STUDIES
      • New Media
      • REVIEWS
      • TV/Radio Deals
      • Updates from FOMEX
      • Virtual Production Series
      Breaking free from the hardware cycle: Cloud collaboration in post-production

      Breaking free from the hardware cycle: Cloud collaboration in post-production

      Playing to win

      Playing to win

      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

      The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part IV

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part III

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

      Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

      Trending Tags

      • Videos
        FOR-A’s award-winning HVS-Q12: A quantum leap in switcher design

        FOR-A’s award-winning HVS-Q12: A quantum leap in switcher design

        Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

        Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

        Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

        Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

        Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

        Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

        Reema Omari

        Reema Omari on Universal Satcom’s growth and connectivity solutions

        Mustafa Afifi

        Mustafa Afifi of Rivada Space on Outernet’s impact in the Middle East

        Don

        ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen on Mideast ties and satellite strategy

        KSASummit

        Transforming Arabic Content: Studios, Producers and Regional Impact

        Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

        Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

      • Opinion
        Survival of the Smartest: Cloud Playout as a Strategic Weapon

        Survival of the Smartest: Cloud Playout as a Strategic Weapon

        Bridging the Latency Gap with Broadcast in a Streaming World

        Bridging the Latency Gap with Broadcast in a Streaming World

        YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

        YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

        Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

        Sport’s Growing Grip on MENA Media

        MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

        MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

        Integrate ME 2023 brings its inaugural edition to successful conclusion

        Empowering the next generation of content creation and live broadcasting with AV PRO

        Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

        Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

        Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

        Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

        Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

        Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

        Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

        Saudi Arabia emerges as the epicentre of Media & Entertainment in 2025

      • Interviews
        • All
        • Lounge
        Sand, sweat and high stakes

        Sand, sweat and high stakes

        All eyes on AIUIa

        All eyes on AIUIa

        Grass Valley scales up with software and IP workflows

        Grass Valley scales up with software and IP workflows

        Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

        Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

        New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

        New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

        Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

        Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

        UAE Pro League flips the field

        UAE Pro League flips the field

        Bringing the wild to the Middle East

        Bringing the wild to the Middle East

        Shades of success

        Shades of success

        Navigating the news wave

        Navigating the news wave

      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
        • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
        • PRO Directory
      • Events
        • News from Events
        • Upcoming Events
        DICM

        DICM

        IBC Show

        IBC 2025

        MPTS

        CABSAT2025

        CABSAT2025

        NAB Show

      No Result
      View All Result
      BroadcastPro ME
      No Result
      View All Result
      AMT Ad ibc Ad
      Home Opinion

      MENA TV Sector – 2012 in Review

      Guest Columnist by Guest Columnist
      January 15, 2013
      in Opinion
      ShareTweetPostEmail

      What happened in 2012? A cursory glance would suggest that 2012 was a year like any other in the MENA television industry. By Nick Grande The number of pan-regional free to air channels went up yet again, taking the total to over 700. As usual, the increase had little or no correlation with increases in […]

      Nick Grande, managing director of ChannelSculptor.

      What happened in 2012?

      A cursory glance would suggest that 2012 was a year like any other in the MENA television industry.

      By Nick Grande

      The number of pan-regional free to air channels went up yet again, taking the total to over 700. As usual, the increase had little or no correlation with increases in the revenue pie. It is as hard as ever to find profitable broadcasters in the Middle East, but that doesn’t seem to stop new entrants from flooding the market further.

       Dig a little deeper though, and there are signs that the TV advertising industry year might be about to turn a major corner. To the surprise of many, a group of the industry’s most powerful players managed to cooperate to launch the region’s first people meters project “tView” here in the UAE. Lack of high quality audience measurement data has always been a limiting factor on advertising rates, but since October 2012 we have had a regular weekly diet of detailed UAE ratings information from tView. The indications are that Saudi Arabia may be launching something similar in 2013.

      The most dynamic TV activity in the region was taking place in Egypt, where the Arab Spring has sprung several new television networks, taking TV in the region’s most populous country in new directions and offering a much-needed commentary on this fledgling democracy. We can reasonably expect Advertising revenue growth in Egypt next year.

      The big channel launch of the year was Sky News Arabia, a joint venture between BSkyB and Abu Dhabi. ChannelSculptor was proud to play a role in the distribution strategy for the channel, as it went live on numerous satellite, IPTV and OTT platforms around the world on 6th May. The ratings data I have seen suggests that it already occupies a credible third place (behind Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya) amongst the 30 or so news channels in the region.

      I have to admit that I wasn’t immediately convinced by the merger of Showtime and Orbit back in 2009, but now the dust has settled on the deal, OSN is starting to make sense to me. The 2012 launch of their “OSN Play” OTT service may be a copy paste of Sky Go, but it firmly places the network years in front of its competitors in the region. Perhaps more importantly, by securing OTT rights with major Hollywood studios OSN has dented MENA market entry prospects for Netflix, Amazon and the like.

      Over at MBC, Sam Barnett completed his first year following his promotion to CEO, launching the new Egypt-focused channel MBC Masr and announcing MBC’s intention to build major new production facilities in Dubai Studio City. TV professionals working in Dubai Media City cannot fail to notice the 10 foot high security fence recently erected around MBC’s headquarters: a reflection perhaps of heightened focus on Al Arabiya news channel as a result of the Arab Spring.

      There were a couple of interesting developments at the state-funded level. The Saudi Ministry of Communication and Information has started the process of “corporatising” Saudi TV, presumably echoing the semi-commercial models created by Dubai Media Inc. and Abu Dhabi Media in the last decade. The same Ministry has threatened to shut down domestic TV broadcasters that “instigate sedition” in Saudi society or threaten national unity. Over in Qatar, a major new earth station was launched in 2012 to compete with Samacom Dubai, Jordan Media City and Egypt Media City.

      Al Jazeera’s intention to consolidate its global expansion by becoming a powerful force in US media became ever more evident. Its beIN Sport network launched on all the major US TV networks, describing itself as North America’s premier sports network and carrying La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and English Championship at launch. Al Jazeera then followed up with the acquisition of Al Gore’s political commentary channel Current TV, leading inevitably to extensive media commentary and negative press amongst right-leaning publications. Surprisingly, the renamed “Al Jazeera America” channel apparently won’t be streaming its programming on the web.

      There were some high profile leadership changes in 2012: Noura Al Kaabi took over as CEO of twofour54 in April. Her predecessor Tony Orsten had always made it clear over his four years at the helm that he could be succeeded by a senior Emirati, so his move to a board advisory position was not a surprise. By contrast, the departure of Malcolm Wall from Abu Dhabi Media after only six months in the role of CEO was a major shock to the regional industry. He was replaced by ADM board member Ayman Safadi on 11th March.

      At Dubai Media Inc, Sami Al Qamzi (previously Director General at the Dubai DED) was appointed Vice Chairman and MD in November, taking over from Ahmad Al Shaikh. The restructuring creates greater autonomy in the various DMI media units, with Ahmad Al Mansouri, (former head of Sama TV) now heading up Dubai TV.

      Former Showtime Arabia boss Peter Einstein joined Rotana Media Group as deputy CEO in Q4. Showtime was jointly owned by Viacom and the Kuwaiti royal family during his time in office, so he will presumably find Rotana’s shareholder combination of Prince Al-Walid bin Talal and NewsCorp a familiar experience.

      What didn’t happen in 2012?

      At least once a week, I get a phone call or an email asking me if I’ve heard anything about MENA EPL rights. Back in June 2012 when Richard Scudamore announced the BSkyB and BT deals, he hinted that all the international deals would be completed by September. Still no announcements though, and the Al Jazeera vs. Abu Dhabi Media rumour mill has now been running riot for at least a year. Perhaps the EPL isn’t going to do a MENA rights deal at all.

      If I cast my mind back to 2011 for a moment, one of the big stories was the launch of MBC’s high definition channels encrypted on the new Technosat ICHD network, supported by a $10 million advertising campaign. Industry strategists were abuzz with expectation of a monster new low-cost Pay-TV network reaching 15+ million homes in the region. Now, at the beginning of 2013, MBC’s HD channels are available on every regional Pay-TV network, and ICHD seems a distant memory.

      What to watch out for in 2013

      People meters in Saudi Arabia could well be the MENA industry story of 2013, particularly given the early success of tView in the UAE. A lot depends on the backing of MBUs and sales houses, but the region’s TV industry is crying out for greater transparency on viewership in order to give greater confidence to advertisers and to boost advertising rate cards.

      Towards the end of 2013 we can expect another major news channel – “Al Arab”. Funded by Prince Al-Walid bin Talal’s Kingdom Holdings group, the channel will be headquartered in Bahrain and will carry content from Bloomberg as part of its programming line-up.

      We will see another serious attempt at low-cost high penetration Pay-TV in 2013, in the form of the “MyHD” network. MyHD has already entered into a capacity partnership with Abu Dhabi’s YahLive HD hotspot at 52.5°E, and is expected to develop a low cost portfolio of encrypted HD channels based on equivalent free to air SD channels, as regional broadcasters upgrade to MPEG4 HD and seek to claw back some of their technical investment through subscription revenue shares. Apart from having a good range of content, the price point will be critical to MyHD’s success. It’s essential in particular that their set top boxes are the same price or cheaper than free to air equivalent boxes if they want to achieve mass penetration.

      On a personal note, ChannelSculptor will be broadening our focus this year beyond the major regional networks to support and develop some of the many middle-tier regional broadcasters with the potential to become big regional players.

      Nick Grande is Managing Director of ChannelSculptor.

       

       

      Tags: broadcastPro Middle EastNick GrandeVijaya Cherian

      Related Posts

      Revolutionising audience measurement for satellite TV

      Revolutionising audience measurement for satellite TV

      September 25, 2024
      Leveraging the benefits of IoT

      Unveiling a new chapter in Saudi Arabia

      February 2, 2024
      New normal inspires fresh storylines and alternative filming strategies

      Arabic content landscape set for unprecedented growth in 2024

      January 5, 2024
      OSN’s smart move

      OSN’s smart move

      November 16, 2023
      Decoding AI and new technologies in media

      Decoding AI and new technologies in media

      September 21, 2023
      Plotting an independent path

      Plotting an independent path

      September 18, 2023

      Related News

      Unveiling a new chapter in Saudi Arabia

      Unveiling a new chapter in Saudi Arabia

      February 2, 2024
      Diversity drives innovation and growth in business

      Diversity drives innovation and growth in business

      December 21, 2019
      Envisioning a new media landscape with CEOs at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

      Envisioning a new media landscape with CEOs at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

      December 20, 2019
      Tech experts discuss migrating to the cloud at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

      Tech experts discuss migrating to the cloud at the BroadcastPro 2019 Summit

      December 15, 2019
      Exploring the IP Roadmap with MENA broadcasters

      Exploring the IP Roadmap with MENA broadcasters

      December 15, 2019
      The future of eSports at the BroadcastPro Summit 2019

      The future of eSports at the BroadcastPro Summit 2019

      December 14, 2019
      More Related News

      BroadcastPro ME

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Subscribe
      • Magazine Archive
      • Directory
      • Contact
      • Privacy

      Follow us on Social Media

      No Result
      View All Result
      • News
      • Tech Features
      • Videos
      • Opinion
      • Interviews
      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
        • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
        • PRO Directory
      • Events

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password?

      Fill the forms bellow to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In
      Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com