UAE’s answer to Netflix eyes local talent

Streaming service TV.ae will begin searching for Middle East-based content creators

Whatsapp new privacy features

Saudi society warns of $133,000 fine for harming others on social media

Warning comes as the country is ranked among the heaviest social media users in the world

Bangladesh to ban Dubai-based Islamic TV channel

Peace TV features speeches by Indian hardline preacher Zakir Naik

Snapchat in hot water after GCC users complain about ‘racy’ content

UAE regulator allegedly contacted social platform over ‘objectionable content’

Turkey ‘throttles’ social media after Istanbul airport attack

Turkey emerges as country using internet shutdowns most aggressively in response to political events

WhatsApp can officially hide online status, announces rollout of Communities

UAE residents spend five hours a day on social media

Report finds under 35-year-olds spend up to six hours per day

EXCLUSIVE: UAE’s Radio 1 and Radio 2 close, entire workforce laid off – source

Gulf News Broadcasting forced to pull radio stations after losing licenses

UAE’s Radio 1, Radio 2 pulled from air after Gulf News Broadcasting loses licence

Broadcaster claims ‘technical issues’ have led to the stations’ mysterious disappearance from the airwaves

Online pirate jailed for illegally uploading OSN content

Man must also pay Dhs 50,000 and will be deported to his home country

WhatsApp can officially hide online status, announces rollout of Communities

Bahrain arrests social media users for posting ‘instigative’ content

The material they posted was in ‘violation of the law’, an official said

Tim Kobe on bringing design studio Eight Inc to Dubai

Eight Inc Founder and chief executive officer Tim Kobe explains why he brought the big-hitting design firm to the emirate

Middle East media agencies win big at Cannes

Memac Ogilvy Dubai and Leo Burnett Beirut won big at the awards

Revealed: 9 biggest digital marketing mistakes in the UAE

Because in today’s market digital and mobile reach mean everything

UAE online platform TV.ae to help boost Arabic talent

Marwan Saab, chief creative officer of the newly launched platform TV.ae, is hoping to bring to bring a new generation of Arabic talent to the regional and international stage

Dubai-based pay TV network OSN appoints new CEO

Martin Stewart replaces David Butorac, who served as OSN’s CEO from 2010.

UAE’s Alsayegh Media eyes regional and global expansion

The independent agency is eyeing Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and later London, New York and Scandinavia

Top 10 YouTube channels in the UAE

Music and beauty videos top the list of the top 10 channels with the most number of subscribers

News broadcaster Al Arabiya cuts dozens of jobs – report

Job losses were said to include well-known presenters and reporters

Why expecting the unexpected is at the core of advertising

Samir Ayoub examines recent changes in the communications industry and argues that speed and agility is key for agencies looking to succeed in the marketplace

Starz Play Arabia says ‘positive impact’ from rival Netflix’s launch

Online video streaming service Starz Play Arabia launched a year ago

How to rebrand a successful business

Sajith Ansar offers 10 key points to consider when rebranding your business

Iran arrests fashion models, blog manager in social media crackdown

Tehran’s supreme leader has declared war against ‘un-Islamic thoughts’ on the internet

Twitter, Facebook usage drops in Arab region – survey

​Regional social media users growing wary of privacy concerns

​Majid Al Futtaim eyes VOX Cinemas growth outside GCC

Saudi Arabia’s cinema ban has forced the company to look to other emerging markets

Unravelling advertising trends in the television industry

Sachin Gokhale reveals how trends in the television industry might play out in the coming months

UAE’s Huda Kattan ranked top worldwide on Instagram

Beauty blogger has 12.7 million followers on the platform

UAE’s Arabian Radio Network to launch new digital stations

The new additions, which cater to specific musical tastes, are positioned under the company’s existing brands

American woman on trial for ‘insulting UAE’ at the airport

​The 25-year-old said that she has been in jail since February 23

GCC official condemns attack of Saudi daily Asharq al-Awsat’s Beirut office

The attack came in response to a cartoon published by the newspaper on April 1

Interview: WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell on Iran and more

Communications giant WPP’s CEO Sir Martin Sorrell discusses acquisitions, Iran and that $86m pay cheque