City7 owner confirms job losses

Monday, 23 February 2009 3:57 PM

The owner of City7, an English language TV station in Dubai, confirmed on Monday that 90 jobs have been lost, adding that there will be more emphasis on news and information in the future.

Mohi-Din Binhendi, president of Bin Hendi Enterprises, denied media reports last week that City7’s remaining 50 employees would have to take a 20 percent pay cut.

He said the layoffs were a direct consequence of the economic downturn and denied that City7’s programming had failed to gain traction with Dubai viewers.

“It takes time to build a TV station,” Binhendi, who took over the station two years ago, told Arabian Business.

“Everybody is cutting their expenses right now.”

While declining to elaborate on what the station’s content would look like in the future, Binhendi did signal that there would be a change in direction for the troubled channel later this year.

This would include a greater focus on local information, perhaps in the form of more news coverage, and less entertainment.

“You can get that anywhere in the world,” he said of some of the station’s entertainment shows.

Join the Discussion

Disclaimer:The view expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by Arabian Business, its employees, sponsors or its advertisers.

Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

Posted by: omar Thursday, 26 February 2009 11:17 AM[UAE]

I love this channel but i believe it needs more marketing. Its administration should be more serious

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: sehr Tuesday, 24 February 2009 6:48 PM[UAE] - United Kingdom

City7 are already light years ahead of Dubai One but just need more marketing power so that residents of the UAE know what a brilliant channel is available on their tv sets! Keep up the fantastic work, news team.

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: Ametis Tuesday, 24 February 2009 12:51 PM[UAE] - UAE

City7 would be a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dull environment, if it was to focus on news and highlighting the Gifts and achievements, and technological achievements of Local students. Everywhere we look we hear about other countries, but the Local students, who are highly gifted don't seem to have a voice.... Come on City7, be the shining light in the otherwise dark environment

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: angelo Tuesday, 24 February 2009 7:54 AM[UAE] - UAE

City 7 - remember if it hadn't been for "the Simpsons" - there would be no Britsh Sky Broadcasting (Sky TV) - good luck.

Reply to this comment.

Log in Not registered? Register now!

Retrieve password form

Services:

Related:

Companies

Also in Media

Also in UAE

Join the Discussion

Further reading

Features & Analysis

Most Popular

Most Discussed