James Hartt, director at ad gaming on the growth of abu dhabi as a gaming and esports powerhouse

Insights: Abu Dhabi strengthens its status as a global gaming and esports powerhouse

More than 70 game developers and esports teams are now based in the UAE capital, and this is set to grow rapidly over the coming years

MBC Group sets price range for IPO, seeks to raise $222m

Saudi Arabia’s MBC Group sets price range for IPO, seeks to raise $222m

The broadcaster plans to use the proceeds to repay debt, enhance its financial flexibility and invest in new content for Shahid

MBC GROUP to float IPO on Tadawul Image MBC group

MBC Group IPO: Saudi media giant plans to list on Tadawul

On Tuesday, November 21, the kingdom’s Capital Market Authority approved the company’s application for registering 10 per cent of its share capital

Google account holders may have their accounts deleted inactive for too long

Millions of Google accounts to be deleted in December; here’s why

Emails, documents, calendar appointments, photos and videos from Google accounts that have been inactive for at least two years will be permanently deleted

WhatsApp to allow Multiple-Accounts image Meta

WhatsApp to allow access to multiple accounts, users can log in on same device

Users will be able to easily switch between accounts – such as their work and personal ones – without having to log out each time or carry two phones

WhatsApp Channels Global Launch_Image Meta

WhatsApp Channels sees global rollout, includes UAE and Saudi Arabia

Channels is a one-way broadcast feature that allows admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls to their followers

G20 in Delhi AlNeyadi billboards adorn Delhi Image courtesy WAM

G20 Summit: Billboards in Delhi celebrate UAE’s Sultan AlNeyadi

AlNeyadi successfully completed the longest Arab space mission aboard the International Space Station

Movies, TV shows available on streaming jumps 39% in two years Image Getty Images

Movies, TV shows available on streaming rise 39% in two years

Netflix and Disney+ are among 167 streaming providers, up from 118 two years ago

Bob Barker dies

Bob Barker, courtly host of ‘The Price Is Right,’ dies at 99

Barker holds the record for hosting the longest-running game show in US television history

BCCI to auction cricket broadcast rights for bilateral series

Amazon, Google wooed by India’s BCCI for $750m cricket rights: Report

The reportedly lukewarm response by media firms ahead of BCCI’s auction highlights the struggle to make money from bilateral cricket series

8 great books to inspire ceos of a startup Getty Images

Startup reading list: 8 inspiring books for entrepreneurs

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, these reads will equip you with the tools and wisdom to navigate the exciting world of startups

Saudi Football League signs deals for global broadcast Al Khaleej VS Al Taawon Image courtesy Saudi Pro League

Saudi Football League lines up deals to broadcast games globally

The deals supposedly span more than 130 territories at rates as much as four times higher than last season’s total revenue from broadcast rights

OSN

OSN’s Devrim Melek, Andy Grant share top trends in media and entertainment industry

In an exclusive interview, OSN unveils the impact of the evolving media landscape on modern viewers

Investcorp invests $100m in communications firm SEC Newgate

Bahrain’s Investcorp invests $100m in communications firm SEC Newgate

The transaction is expected to close between the third and fourth quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals

Astra Tech National Bonds Sign MOu to iffer investment solutions to Botim Image Astra Tech Botim

Botim users to benefit from Astra Tech, National Bonds saving, investment solutions

This partnership gives Astra Tech customers access to microfinance options specifically designed for individuals with low and medium incomes through Botim, supported by National Bonds’ Al Manassah Platform

WhatsApp Channels Image credit whatsapp

WhatsApp introduces Channels, here’s how it will help

To help you select channels to follow, WhatsApp is building a searchable directory where you can find your hobbies, sports teams, updates from local officials and more

startup show comes to UAE

The Falcons: Startup funding show comes to the UAE

The show brings the pressure, the suspense and the glory of raising capital to TV screens in the UAE in a10-episode season

NEOM - TELFAZ11 Productions

NEOM, Telfaz11 sign partnership to produce nine shows and three films

Two feature films and one series which are currently under development at NEOM’s media hub, will be included in the overall deal

BotimGPT

BOTIM launches region’s first Arabic ChatGPT with MBZUAI 

BOTIM’s Arabic Chat GPT will support features such as international money transfers, bill payments and e-commerce

conceptual ERA

Marketing firm Conceptual ERA eyes regional expansion

Marketing firm Conceptual ERA is drawing on the UAE’s strengths and a combination of social media, unique campaigns and targeted content to enhance its regional presence

Anghami reports 35.6% revenue growth, subscribers rise 21% in 2022

Anghami reports 35.6% revenue growth, subscribers rise 21% in 2022

The streaming service ended the past year with 1.52 million paying subscribers

SAWA Group and AD Gaming sign agreement photo courtesy AD Gaming twitter

AD Gaming, SAWA Group to develop Abu Dhabi’s gaming ecosystem

AD Gaming and SAWA group will help facilitate the international expansion of Chinese gaming and esports companies via Abu Dhabi

Meta sells Giphy to Shutterstock.

Meta launches subscription service for Facebook, Instagram

Meta is testing the subscription product first in Australia and New Zealand, starting later this week

Ian Fairservice Managing Partner and Group editor of Motivate Media Group

Ian Fairservice, Motivate Media Group’s Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief, to speak at Emirates LitFest

Fairservice, a well-known personality in Dubai’s expat, business and cultural community, has played a key role in transforming the UAE’s media industry over four decades

UAE President Sheikh-Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issues law to establish Abu Dhabi Media Office _photo WAMcourtesy

UAE President issues law establishing Abu Dhabi Media Office

The new entity will form strategic partnerships with local, regional, and international media organisations to advance Abu Dhabi’s media sector

yalla

UAE-based Yalla Group reports revenue of Dhs839m in first nine months of 2022

The company has also seen significant growth in the third quarter revenues to Dhs294m, an increase of 12.3 per cent compared to Q3 2021

TikTok launches podcast series

TikTok launches podcast series ‘The Future of Retail’ in the GCC

The podcasts will shed light on the evolution of the industry, and feature discussions with some of the retail sector’s most prolific players

UAE israel education

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed arrives in Tel Aviv on Abraham Accords’ second anniversary

Besides the UAE foreign minister’s latest visit, we take stock of the key developments and events since the signing of the historic accords

Twitter q2 earnings - e1662094593581

Twitter MENA reports 16% YoY growth in average monetisable daily active users in Q2 2022

Twitter MENA released the Twitter Trends 2022 Report for Saudi Arabia, which identified the digital economy, cryptocurrency and gender balance among key topics of interest

netflix-mac

Netflix eyes $7-to-$9 price for its new ad-supported plan

Netflix plans to introduce its new cheaper option during the final three months of the year in at least a half dozen markets