MENA and Central Asia | 10-17 nov. 2010

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BROADCAST NEWS

TURKEY: Dogan Media Ad Revenues Increase 30%

Turkish media company Dogan Media has just released its results for the 9-month period ended September 30, 2010. The company recorded respective growths of 56% and 359% in Gross Profit and EBITDA. These results were led by an increase in revenues and a focus on costs.

Total consolidated revenues in 9M10 increased by 10% yoy from TL1.7 bn (€0.86 bn) in 2009 to TL1.9 bn (€0.96 bn) in 2010. | READ MORE...

(Source : Dataxis News)

TURKEY: Changes on the Turkish Series Scene

Two new dramas will bedut on Turkish channel FOX and Kanal D. Though both channels are looking for success with their new dramas, Kanal D is also looking to add comedy to its repertoire.

Additionally, a local series with production cooperation from Middle East producers, will soon being filming in Syria...| Back to summary

UAE: Impressions from IP&TV Forum

A conference featuring over 20 platform operators, content providers and systems integrators, all discussing IPTV service deployment issues, took place in the beginning of November in Abu Dhabi.

Ben Schwarz, an audiovisual consultant, gives his summary of the event which includes some interesting revelations.| Back to summary

(Source : Videonet)

UZBEKISTAN: Interactive Russian TV channels banned in Andijan

[TVUz]

The authorities in Andijan Region have banned local cable television studios from offering many Russian television channels to their subscribers because of one of them ran a rolling caption with a local resident's complaint about problems with gas supplies in winter.

Locals can now watch only Russia's Channel One and Telekafe and a Western fashion channel. | Back to summary

(Source : Uz News)

IRAQ: Iraqi broadcaster migrates to IP

Alsumaria, an independent privately-owned Iraqi TV broadcaster, has invested in Newtec's modulation equipment for a third time to complete its migration to a tapeless workflow. Newtec's DualFlow and FlexACM technologies have been deployed at the broadcaster's hub and in its fleet of DSNG vans to support Alsumaria's IP and ASI operations, provide greater efficiency in bandwidth use and also enable the broadcaster to achieve a return on investment (ROI) within six months.

Alsumaria, which established operations in September 2004, has 500 staff working across Iraq, Kurdistan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates and Jordan.| Back to summary

(Source : BroadcastPro ME)

AFGHANISTAN: Etisalat subsidiary inks deal to service rural Afghanistan

Etisalat Afghanistan, a 100% owned subsidiary of Etisalat Telecommunications, UAE, has signed an agreement with Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) to provide telecommunication services in rural and far flung areas of the country. | Back to summary

(Source : Arabian Business)

TURKEY: CROATIA´S OBSESSION WITH TURKISH SOAP

Just like the movie "Eat,Pray,Love" has popularized travel tours by the same name, the Turkish soap opera "1,001 nights" has Croatians learning Turkish and flying to Istanbul. Retailers, tour operators and language schools are cashing in on Croatia's obsession with the romantic affair between gorgeous architect Scheherazade and her boss, Onur.

The two protagonists have the nation glued to their TV sets every night of the week at 8PM| Back to summary

(Source : Croatian Times)

MEDIA RESEARCH NEWS

TURKEY: Film as a cultural bridge between Turkey and France

At a cultural program in Istanbul last week, supported by the EU and intended to bring French and Turkish directors together, Turkish director Reha Erdem said there are currently Turkish movies that break box office records and appeal to audiences all over the world.

Erdem praised the funding generosity of the EU, and is particularly grateful to France for its support of independent cinema.| Back to summary

(Source : Hurriyet Daily News)

: GEORGIA: Bollywood representatives to shoot movie in Georgia

After Hollywood, representatives of Indian Bollywood have also got interested in Georgia. Movie producers and actors are now expected in Georgia. The team, which shot Slumdog Millionaire winning 8 Oscars, is now going to work in the country. /p>

Representatives of Bollywood are going to visit Georgia in the end of the year. They will supposedly start shooting films there from 2011.| Back to summary

(Source : News Az)

UAE: twofour54 intaj expands facility

350m² studio, 3D capabilities and high-end colour grading edit suite part of the new project.

twofour54 intaj has added a sixth HD studio and invested in 3D stereoscopic kit and a Baselight edit suite as part of its efforts to cater to the needs of its clients. In addition, the media entity has a full-fledged team to conceive set designs and construct sets for its clients.| Back to summary

(Source : MediaMe)

SAUDI ARABIA: STC expresses interest for Syria's 3rd mobile licence

Saudi Telecom (STC) announced on the Saudi bourse website its interest in bidding for the third mobile licence in Syria. Syria tendered the licence back in September and sat Nov 14th as the deadline for submitting a prequalification application. Among other interested parties is Turkey's Turkcell and Kuwait's Zain..

Syria is one of the few countries in the Middle East with low mobile penetration with a population of more than 20 million people and about 9 million mobile phone users. | Back to summary

(Source : Dataxis News)