UAE Media is Rising

Dubai has hosted and arranged so many international events such as Dubai International Film Festival held till Feb 2, 2007 and Dubai Desert Classic held from 30 Jan till 4 Feb 2007.

During the last six months, UAE has been active in the international Media field . According to the Shuaa Capital Research report, Dubai Media City has attracted approximately 1,077 companies while many companies are on the waiting list to enter or expand. Earlier this year, two new media free zones were announced in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, as the two zones hope to cash in profits because of DMC's inability to meet demand. Dubai based-companies dominate the advertising spending, while other emirates lag behind. The UAE has about 400 advertising agencies, but 90 % of the business is dominated by top 20 companies that include the world's leading names. It is expected that the volume of regional advertising will witness an increase over the next five years.

Last May, Executives from Dubai Media City DMC visited Cannes at the annual film festival to lure famous film companies to Dubai Studio City DSC. After Dubai Ports ordeal, the UAE is tempting international film and broadcast companies with new film studios and sound stages to enlighten the world about UAE business and culture. At present, Dubai is paying more attention to cultivating new media categories in book, magazine publishing and filmmakers. This philosophy is envisaged by the new Publishing Pavilion, at a cost of Dh260 million ( US $ 72 m) announced in Dubai International Media Production Zone .

Lately, Dubai Studio City (DSC) announced a one-day screening of films produced by Faradees, an independent non-profit film production group devoted to promoting Emirati cinema. The initiative is in line with DSC's strategy to encourage local filmmakers and grant them an opportunity to highlight their talents. It is only a matter of time, till the world notice UAE filmmaking talents. Big publishing companies are investing in media audits which demonstrate to advertisers that smaller titles fail to give value-for-money.

Independent and third-party verification of circulation became a crucial demand for Publishers operating to gain profits. In March,

Motivate Publishing has announced new BPA and ABC audited circulation figures for 'What's On', 'Emirates Woman' and 'Dubai Voyager' magazines to validate any false speculations about their circulations. Moreover, strengthening its position, Motivate Publishing has announced in July a new Middle East MICE & Events magazine targeting events planner, hospitality professionals, venue managers , travels agents, airlines and tourism departments. The July / August issue included a special report on the UAE and Barcelona as unique travel destinations.

According to strategiy.com, Gulf advertising spending during the first six months of 2006 has risen by 15.6% compared with the same period in 2005, the most dynamic markets in terms of growth during the first half of this year were Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and UAE. UAE Advertising spending rose from $460.41 million to $508.42 million (an increase of 10.43% ) compared to the same period last year..

Last year , Emirates Cable TV and Multimedia (E-Vision), a leading cable company in the UAE, announced its plans to launch four new services that include Video on Demand (VoD), which allows customers to enjoy the latest movies from the convenience of their homes at any time. Zee Tele films International has established a state-of-art digital studio in Sharjah. The Studio will provide 100 percent locally produced programs to its viewers in the region.

Another channel was also launched called 'Decision Makers' TV has commenced mainly targeting Arabic investors and business community. Decision Makers TV channel is based in Dubai with special focus updates on politics, business and real estate.

BBC World Service has started recruiting senior editorial staff for the BBC Arabic Television to be launched in autumn 2007. Based in the BBC's central London headquarters, the multi-media Arabic service will have about 200 journalists working together to process materials for radio, television and online services. Earlier this year, ten Zayed University media students had visited BBC office in London to get acquainted with the news broadcasting, online journalism, and coverage of Islam by the BBC.

In August, Dubai Studio City was selected as a new headquarters of 'Arabian Travel' TV, a travel channel of Four Lines Media of the Suwaidani group. 'Arabian Travel' TV, broadcasts in Arabic around-the-clock via NileSat, is a specialized travel channel targeting Arab travelers. It is published that approximately 8 million people in the Arab world watch Arabian Travel TV as their reliable source for planning holidays.

Last September, the region's latest pan-Arab satellite station, Al Aan TV, started as family entertainment TV channel. Key audience for Al Aan include the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Rallying under the slogan "Empowering, engaging and contemporary entertainment for the Arab world, Al Aan TV combines diverse TV programs that reflect the current issues encountered by Arabic audience, particularly Arab women.