Showtime

With several hundred channels, a blossoming network of broadband connections and the highest cellular service penetration in the world, the Middle East content delivery market offers lucrative rewards. Digital Broadcast presents a comprehensive guide to doing business in the region.

Digital Studio brings you everything you wanted to know about the Showtime-Orbit deal.

What does the Showtime and Orbit alliance mean for the Middle East region's Pay TV industry?

Online poll shows majority will definitely cancel subscription if football not shown.

Appointed president and CEO of Showtime in November 2006, Marc-Antoine d'Halluin has in the proceeding period overseen the biggest corporate shake-up in the 12 year history of the pan-Arab pay TV broadcaster. Aaron Greenwood spoke to the man charged with revitalising one of the Arab world's most recognised media brands.

The second Middle East Broadcasting summit in Dubai attracted a mix of regional and international industry executives who discussed issues ranging from legal rights and advertising, to satellite bandwidth and IPTV. Digital Studio looks at some of the highlights.

Sony builds new HD-ready transmission facility for Showtime Arabia

A new Dubai-based media consultancy is looking to bring big money deals to the Middle East.

In-flight entertainment is becoming an increasingly important selling tool for Middle East airlines battling to secure passenger loyalty.

TNT Express delivers 10 tonnes of Sony broadcasting equipment in less than seven hours for Dubai-based TV network.

Showtime is giving local football fans the chance to join its Premier League commentary team.

Showtime Arabia's Marc-Antoine d'Halluin on surviving as a pay-TV operator in a region that has more than 300 free-to-air channels.

Television networks across the world are constantly vying for premium content, and it doesn’t come any bigger than English football’s Premier League — one of the most highly-prized and fiercely-contested rights packages in modern media. James Bennett meets the new CEO of Showtime Arabia, Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, and discovers how the Frenchman netted the industry’s golden goal.

The Spin's award for most bizarre festive greeting of the past fortnight goes to Halima Awaleh of web outfit thedubaiguide.com. "Seasons Greetings to you and may the New Year bring your hearts desires," reads the e-mail. "Thanks for all your support and patience during our launch and while we do Arabic and populating." Yeah, stuff like that, and things.

As Showtime Arabia beats rival ART to win the television rights to English Premiership Football, Mark Hill of The Rights Lawyers takes a look at some of the legal issues to bear in mind when structuring sports programming deals.

With jobs being lost at both CNBC Arabiya and Showtime, Diana Milne takes a look at an increasingly unsettled TV market

The introduction of people meters in Middle East homes will lead to a major shake-out of TV channels, according to a panel of broadcast experts

Showtime Arabia beats rival ART to win lucrative television rights to English Premiership football

Showtime's capture of English Premiership rights underlines the pulling power of football, writes Richard Abbott