Fifteen TV channels to launch from Dubai

Dubai is set to experience a TV boom, with 15 new stations set to be broadcast from the emirate.

Dubai Studio City (DSC) - the emirate's new broadcast hub - today announced the completion of 18 new studios, saying in a statement that "regional and international broadcasters have booked 15 of the studios to launch new television channels out of Dubai."

The DSC refused to say which TV stations have confirmed their presence. "They will be announced gradually; some of them are very big names," a spokesperson told ArabianBusiness.com.

However, the Arab Media Group is likely to become a major player at DSC.

Last Thursday, AMG boss Abdullatif Al Sayegh revealed that he hopes to launch five TV channels in the next year.

One of these is known to be MTV Arabiya, which will be launched through AMG's subsidiary, the Arabian Television Network (ATN), and which will have production and broadcasting facilities in Studio City.

The media group is also understood to have links with American media conglomerate Viacom.

AMG is the Dubai Government's communications company, and is part of TECOM - which also runs DSC and is ultimately owned by Dubai Holding.

The DSC studios will be ready for broadcasting activities in May, according to an announcement made at the CABSAT 2007 exhibition in Dubai.

Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Executive Director of Media, TECOM Investments said: "Broadcasting is one of the largest segments that have recorded significant growth in Dubai during the last few years. Dubai Media City currently boasts over 60 broadcasters that operate nearly 150 television channels."

"The developments in Dubai Studio City will expand our offerings to accommodate the mushrooming growth in this important segment of the media," she added.

Commenting on the increase in the number of TV channels in the region, Al Rustamani said: "Healthy competition is in the interest of the end user. It is important that viewers are provided with flexibility of choice through a wide range of options."

DSC will feature pre-built studios, sound stages, workshops, backlots and stage areas, a broadcast centre housing offices and post-production studios, and a business centre for freelancers.

The cluster will also house film academies, location approval services, entertainment and retail spaces, and hotels and residential facilities to accommodate crews and casts. DSC will provide a single window for applying for production permits and visas.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM