Television consumption has gone through a revolution with the explosion of over-the-top (OTT) players in the online sphere such as Netflix and Hulu. This major disrupter in traditional television models has transformed the way audiences consume content.
Despite the growing popularity of OTT around the world, in the Middle East and North Africa region pay-TV still dominates, with rising figures in viewership and revenue.
Broadcasters in the Mena region have been quick to react to the digital content revolution by redoubling their efforts to provide viewers with higher-quality programming in line with international standards that often surpasses the quality of online programming. Investment into live sports content is at an all-time high, catering to the growing number of sports fans in the region.
Additionally, the rise of innovative digital technologies such as the adoption of ultra-HD, or 4K, forms part of the mainstream in the UAE, offering incredibly high-quality programming.
As a result, the number of primary pay-TV households in the Mena region increased to 4.8 million at the end of last year, according to a recent IHS study, which is a year-on-year growth of 12.4 per cent. Pay TV revenue in the region grew by more than €100m (Dh416m) to €873m from 2013 to last year. The growth of pay-TV is expected to continue through 2019 in the region, with primary pay-TV households reaching 6.6 million and revenue increasing to €1.7 billion.
Nevertheless, the rise of the regional OTT distributors Starz Play and icflix, which provide quality regional and international programming in a number of languages and on a number of screens, has disrupted the traditional pay-TV channels. There is a growing demand for OTT in the region, as these services give viewers more choice of when and where they consume programming.
Regional viewers, however, do not favour a particular provider, pay-TV or OTT, so long as they deliver great programming over multiple screens. This has caused broadcasters to react with OTT propositions of their own, becoming the new disrupters. In addition to offering its own multiscreen services, pay-TV also offers its subscribers stand-alone and bundled forms of OTT.
The global rise of low-cost OTT services may well prepare the market for a new generation of pay-TV subscribers by instilling in an entire cohort of audiences the habits of paying for content.
How can pay-TV providers continue their dominance?
Regional broadcasters are increasing investments to produce more robust local content, which is in high demand throughout the region. These include localised documentaries, entertainment shows in Arabic and popular regional versions of international reality shows such as The Voice Ahla Sawt and Arabs Got Talent.
In addition, many pay-TV channels in the region offer international series and movies dubbed into Arabic, ensuring that viewers experience programming that is easy to understand.
The vast majority of regional audiences still consume most of their content on TV, with set top boxes, IPTV and free-to-air channels dominating content consumption. However, pay-TV providers are keeping up with increasing viewer demands by using the internet advantageously.
Price wars between OTT and pay-TV players will eventually come into play; however, as long as pay-TV companies follow robust business plans, consolidate smartly, efficiently employ local talent and resources, and prioritise Arabic content, pay-TV in the Mena region will continue to thrive.
Sanjay Raina is the general manager for Fox International Channels in the Middle East, North Africa and PakistanSanjay Raina is the general manager for Fox International Channels in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan
business@thenational.ae
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The%20Specs
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.