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DMC promoting Dubai as global media hub

DUBAI - Even though the satellite TV channels from the Middle East are offering viewers a wider range of programmes and making inroads into state-run monopolies, the number of households equipped with dish receivers is still generally low.

In the Gulf, two-thirds of the population have satellite dishes, while the percentage in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan goes down to 20 per cent. In Egypt it varies between seven to 10 per cent, while in Iraq, owning a satellite receiver antenna had been deemed 'illegal'.

These figures were released by Abdulhamid Juma, CEO of Dubia Media City (DMC), who spoke to Khaleej Times on the advancement of the media sector in the pan-Arab region during the past few years and the DMC's vision to fulfill the growing needs of media establishments.

He disclosed that DMC will be making a number of announcements in the coming weeks regarding additional broadcasting companies that are either relocating to DMC or launching new channels from here, noting that many of these companies are internationally-renowned brand names in the industry. "Currently, there are 23 broadcasters based in Dubai Media City including MBC, CNBC Arabiya, TEN Sports, Geo TV, KTN Broadcasting, Middle East Television (MET) and Al Majd Satellite Broadcasting, among others," Mr Juma said, adding that DMC is providing all broadcasting requirements and transmission-related services because transmission is considered to be the most critical component of any broadcaster's operations.

Regarding the advanced services introduced at the DMC, he revealed that it brings to the broadcast community scalable technology platforms and state-of-the-art solutions besides providing tailor-made services to fit each TV company's needs and allows broadcasters to leverage operating cost savings as they use its facilities and infrastructure.

"As more and more brand names acknowledge DMC as the optimum base from which to conduct their operations, other broadcasters will continue to follow their steps. It is not just broadcasters themselves that are coming to DMC, but also all of the feeder industries such as equipment suppliers, systems integrators and studio designers, among others," Mr Juma said.

He added that the DMC's value proposition for the broadcasting industry will develop vertically as well as horizontally. "As a result, DMC, as an integrated, symbiotic hub, has a lot more to offer the broadcasting establishments. It will certainly attract additional TV companies in future," Mr Juma stressed.

Freedom of TV channels

Talking about the margins of freedom in coverage and reporting, Mr Juma said: "Although many Arab satellite channels are simply offshoots of state-run TVs, the impediments restraining freedom of satellite channels are gradually crumbling with the receding censorship role of governments year by year. This fact has created harsh competition forcing state-run channels to innovate for catching up with their rivals.

"Competition in the media industry also affected advertising widely. However, with the proliferation of Free-To-Air satellite channels, the competition to gain more advertising revenues went up. Therefore, TV companies are having to compete for increasingly smaller pieces of the pan-Arab advertising spend pie," he pointed out, adding that this fact will force broadcasters to consider consolidation and joining forces during later phases.

23 channels at DMC

Mr Juma explained that the number of broadcasters registered at DMC stands at 23, most of them leading international media companies that have chosen DMC to host their regional offices.

"CNN has launched its Arabic news web site and regional news bureau at DMC. Pan-Arabic giant broadcaster MBC has not only relocated its international headquarters from London to DMC, but it has also launched a new Arabic satellite news channel 'Al Arabiya' that is currently broadcasting from MBC's premises in DMC," he added, noting that Showtime Network has also consolidated its operations, transmissions and sales and marketing to DMC.

Other giants like, Reuters, Sony Broadcast, Bertelsmann, and Lowe Worldwide have shifted their regional headquarters here, Mr Juma said.

Vision and infrastructure

Since its official opening in January 2001, DMC has grown tremendously to become a thriving media community of over 660 companies and 5,000 knowledge workers that include over 200 freelance media professionals, Mr Juma observed, adding that several global media giants and promising entrepreneurial ventures have joined the DMC community, and three quarters of the media community represents regional and international media companies.

DMC, the media arm of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, emerging out of the vision of General Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Minister of Defence, has a primary aim to develop Dubai into a global media hub, Mr Juma pointed out.

"Dubai Media City has completed phase three of expansion and is providing a range of facilities aimed at enhancing the quality of life of business partners. Shared business centres, customer service centres, IT services as well as cafes, restaurants and retail stores are part of DMC's offerings," Mr Juma said.

DMC's phase one included three buildings with a total leasable space area of 326,650 square feet, while the total leasable space in phase two is 260,000 square feet (five buildings), and phase three is about 350,000 square feet (3 buildings), he revealed.

Launch of CNBC Arabiya

CNBC Arabiya, the first regional Arabic-language news channel in the Middle East presenting in-depth and up-to-the-minute economic and business coverage, launched operations from its new studio at DMC last month.

The channel highlighting financial, business, and economic implications of regional events, will provide a platform to an ongoing inter-Arab discussion on globalisation, employment, career, business and investment opportunities, living standards, infrastructure development, and other relevant issues.

Dr Walid Kurdi, News Editor of CNBC Arabiya, told Khaleej Times that the excellent environment existing at DMC, was the major reason behind the channel's decision to be based at DMC. "The media city includes an advanced infrastructure, a pool of high quality human resources and access to players in the broadcasting value chain," he noted.

"Over the last decade, the satellite broadcasting industry in the region has been providing viewers with a comprehensive array of information such as entertainment, news, among others. Our entry into the market will complement the existing channels and complete the portfolio of the information needs of the regional audiences," he said.

The programming schedule of the channel will be announced shortly, Dr Kurdi said, explaining that the channel will highlight the economic, financial and business issues and its impact on the personal and professional lives of audiences.

"The channel is a regional one with regional content, it will target audiences impacted by business, trade, finance, management, among others," he said, disclosing that the channel will inaugurate more bureaus in Bahrain, Beirut, Cairo, Jeddah, Riyadh and Baghdad.

Talking about the coverage of the World Bank meeting set to take place in September, Dr Kurdi pointed out that the channel will take preparations six weeks prior to the event for ensuring a comprehensive and extensive live coverage including interviews with key attendees and other major activities taking place on the sidelines of the event.

Low down on Dubai Media City

MEDIA BUSINESS CENTRE: DMC has started Media Business Centre, a unique facility for free-lancers and independent media professionals as part of its plan to promote talent and entrepreneurship in the region. Over 200 free-lancers have found the centre an ideal base for gaining visibility and building relationships with the media industry.

In June last year, DMC launched the annual Ibdaa Awards for Media Student with the objective of identifying, showcasing, and fostering talent at a formative stage. Preparations for the Third Ibdaa Media Student Awards are currently under way.

Ibdaa Awards in 2002 have attracted major participation with 1,427 entries representing 18 countries in eight categories including animation, journalism, radio, TV, film production, photography, graphic design, and advertising. Ibdaa Awards for 2003 have been expanded to include two separate categories for advertising, taking the number of categories to nine.

KNOWLEDGE VILLAGE: Knowledge Village is another major initiative by the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone that seeks to create a learning community for developing the region's knowledge workforce and catalyse new economy growth.

One of the key components of the village is a Media Academy that aims to be a premium centre for knowledge, education, and training for media professionals.

The Media Academy will provide a platform for developing knowledge of the media industry.

The Media Academy will house leading institutions that offer tailor-made courses to students and professionals in a wide range of media disciplines.

These will include print and TV journalism, graphic design, animation, and multimedia.

The educational and training programmes will have the flexibility to suit the needs of professionals at any stage of their career.