Advanced Television

Saudi Arabia

FIlm AlUla launches AlUla Creates

Film AlUla has announced the launch of AlUla Creates, a platform designed to nurture creativity and empower future generations in film, the arts and fashion. The launch is part of a year-round programme that will allow new female filmmakers and creatives to collaborate with industry professionals and access development funds to create and share their […]

March 9, 2023

The Saudi Cup to air in 170 territories

Now entering its fourth year, The Saudi Cup will be distributed around the globe by 35 broadcasters in 170 territories on February 24th and 25th, further extending the reach of the $20 million event. The Group 1 Saudi Cup continues to rise in reputation as one of horseracing’s premier events. This is reflected by a […]

February 20, 2023

WWE hires sales advisors

WWE, the wrestling entertainment company has hired multiple advisors to help the company’s potential sale. WWE said it has retained The Raine Group as financial advisor, Kirkland & Ellis as legal advisor, and August as strategic communications advisor to “support the management team and its Board of Directors in connection with a review of strategic […]

January 13, 2023By Nik Roseveare

WWE sold? Stephanie McMahon resigns

Rumours are circulating that WWE, the wrestling entertainment juggernaut, is set to be sold to Saudi Arabia. In a time of great upheaval for the company, January 10th saw WWE Chairman and Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon announce her resignation from the company just days after her father Vince McMahon was reinstated to the Board of Directors. […]

January 11, 2023By Nik Roseveare

Film AlUla starts work on first phase of studio complex

Film AlUla, the film agency of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), has begun construction of a comprehensive, studio complex to kick-start the next phase in north-west Arabia’s emergence as a regional hub for the screen sector. Completion of the complex’s first phase, encompassing approximately 30,000 square metres (330,000 square feet), is targeted for the […]

December 5, 2022

OneWeb partners with Saudi’s NEOM project

Satellite constellation operator OneWeb, itself in the process of merging with Eutelsat, is partnering with the massive Saudi Arabian ‘NEOM, city of the future’ currently under construction on the Gulf of Aqaba. OneWeb last October signed a $200 million joint-venture agreement with NEOM Tec & Digital Holding Co., to bring high-speed satellite connectivity to NEOM, […]

November 16, 2022By Chris Forrester

DStv warns African FTA broadcasters over World Cup

In years past there have been African and Middle East broadcasters who have happily stolen pay-TV’s exclusive coverage of key sporting events. DStv has now issued a clear warning to broadcasters in Africa saying, in essence, ‘hands off our signals’. The most blatant thefts of football signals occurred during the Saudi Arabian beoutQ transmissions of […]

November 8, 2022By Chris Forrester

MBC intends going public

MBC Group, the Dubai and Riyadh-based pan-Arab broadcaster, will reportedly mount an IPO next year. Reports out of the Gulf say that MBC is working with investment bankers HSBC and JPMorgan Chase on the potential plan. At the moment, the amount to be raised and the structure of the float are unclear. Current ownership of […]

November 7, 2022By Chris Forrester

Airbus, Salam to launch Zephyr HAPS

Airbus and Salam, a Saudi Arabian telecoms company which is part of Abu Dhabi’s Mawarid Media & Communications, have signed a strategic partnership to provide the Airbus ‘Zephyr’ High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) to Saudi Arabia. The Airbus Zephyr comprises an unmanned drone or aerial vehicle,which flies at 21,000m (70,000ft) and can stay aloft for […]

October 25, 2022By Chris Forrester

Saudi Arabia to spend $13bn on game publisher

Saudi Arabia’s state news organisation says the oil-rich nation will spend an overall $37.8 billion  (€38.5bn) on the games industry. This amount will include around $13 billion on a “leading game publisher”. The cash will come from the kingdom’s Savvy Games Group which is owned by its Public Investment Fund (PIF) sovereign wealth fund, one […]

September 30, 2022By Chris Forrester