Regional TV content producers are hoping to break even on sales of children’s programmes in a tough market that offers no guarantee of big profits.
Industry executives, gathered at the Big Entertainment Show in Dubai yesterday, discussed their prospects.
“I seriously would hope for 100 per cent return on investment, if not more, and it is not an unrealistic assessment from all the avenues of channelling the production such as broadcast, licensing the merchandise or publishing” said Ghassan Ayoubi, the executive director of Arabian Gulf operations at Rubicon, a Jordan-based educational entertainment TV producer.
Regional networks were very interested in Arabic content developed regionally, he said. “They are seemingly trying to move from mass forgettable cartoons. His company is about to launch “The Little Explorer”, a children’s TV character.
Mariam Al Afridi, the marketing and corporate communications director at Dubai Media Incorporated, said: “All of our channels make good returns. Whether they are imported shows or home-grown shows, we increase profit on an annual basis.
“Our distribution arm is very strong because the local product is so unique and we have exclusivity to distribute it to broadcasters in the Mena region and pay-TV services. Our sales and distribution teams are working very aggressively on that part.
“The local content and Turkish content is huge in terms of being able to resell and distribute and we are increasing local production because of that. We believe in local production all the way.”
While some are finding local content a money-spinner, other independent animation houses are finding it hard convincing television executives of their products’ potential.
“Regarding animation, it is not that easy, people are not into that industry within our region, they think it’s for kids and unimportant” said Shady Jarrar, the community manager at the Abu Dhabi-based Alter Ego.
“We have been producing the first Arabic animation of its kind, Japanese animation but Arabic production 100 per cent. The problem with self-produced cartoons is animation is expensive.
“It costs a couple of hundred thousand dollars just to produce an episode.”
ascott@thenational.ae
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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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
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Profile of VoucherSkout
Date of launch: November 2016
Founder: David Tobias
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers
Sector: Technology
Size: 18 employees
Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake
Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars”