Dubai: The biggest challenge to television is from social media. However, content will continue to drive television demand, according to a panelist at a session on ‘Future of Television’ at the Arab Media Forum on Wednesday.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the theme of the 18th AMF is ‘Arab Media: From Now to the Future’.
Johannes Larcher, Managing Director of MBC Digital and Albert Shafik, Director of BC Extra News TV, said that customised content distributed fast and in real time were crucial to the future of traditional television.
Television channels should reduce talk shows in studios, as audience demand real-time information, explained Shafik. Also, news distribution should be quick in order to withstand competition from social media.
“Consumers are more empowered today. The future of television will depend on how content is delivered,” said Larcher. In fact, TV maturity is changing and television content will be delivered over the internet soon, he added. MBC has about 100 million viewers in the Middle East while MBC Shahid, the premium Arabic VOD service, is doing extremely well, he said.
The Middle East is in the early stages of premium video consumption, said Larchar, who does not see a threat to television from digital platforms. “It is healthy competition because consumers, content creators and advertisers all stand to benefit.” YouTube engagement in the Middle East is more than anywhere else, he added.
Meanwhile, Shafik said that the culture of the Middle East is still of story-telling and word-of-mouth propaganda, which demands digital platforms deliver customised content for the region. Social media has user-generator content. Social media and traditional television can easily co-exist, he added.
Digital platforms have unlimited space, where consumers can watch their programmes anytime and anywhere, while television has a limited time of 24 hours. So, the winner will be the one delivering fresh and live content.
Social media has user-generated content. There needs to be a symbiotic relationship between social media and traditional TV, according to Shafik. Latest statistics available reveal 90% of the audience watched traditional television in the Middle East while 60% listened to radio, said Shafik. There is no data currently available for digital viewership, he said.
The two-day AMF organised by the Dubai Press Club will feature over 75 speakers and 200 prominent media figures representing more than 20 countries from across the Arab region and the world.
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About Arab Media Forum (AMF)
The Middle East’s most prominent media event, the Arab Media Forum (AMF) is a platform designed to enrich dialogue, exchange ideas and attract attention to the reality and future of media industry in the region. AMF strives to trigger a change in the Arab media and call for a requisite redefinition of content and substance.
Since its inception in 2001 under the patronage of Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Press Club has been responsible for organizing the Arab Media Forum. The Forum has consistently strived to facilitate in-depth debates and exchange of ideas on the regional media. Since its first edition, the annual event has successfully attracted exceptional media experts from across the region and the world, in addition to politicians and academia. AMF platforms have also played vital roles in opening up channels of communication between Arab media professionals and their global peers. The Arab Media Forum is regarded as a much-awaited calendar event by high-caliber professionals including editors-in-chiefs, directors of TV and broadcasting channels, columnists, analysts and commentators, as well as academic professors and media students. For more information, pls. visit www.arabmediaform.ae/en
About Dubai Press Club (DPC)
Established in 1999 under the patronage of Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Press Club (DPC) is a proactive platform for journalists and media professionals to debate and deliberate on various topics of different interests ranging from political, economic and society. Dubai Press Club plays a significant role in supporting and developing regional media industry by launching unique initiatives including the renowned Arab Media Forum (AMF), Arab Journalism Award (AJA) the promising Emirates Media Forum (EMF) and Arab Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS).
Additionally, DPC’s busy agenda offers a variety of activities targeting different segments of the media community. DPC hosts and organizes workshops and seminars on issues affecting regional and international socio-political scenarios, as well as strategic communication, business, economy, education and technology. The club periodically invites high-profile speakers and senior delegates to interact with local media and newsmakers. DPC is an active producer and sponsor of specialised media research and studies that keep pace with the rapid changes in the media industry. For more information, pls. visit http://www.dpc.org.ae
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