22 February 2017
The BBC is seeking a future star of African journalism for the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award, now in its third year.
Journalists from across the continent are invited to apply for the award, which aims to uncover and promote fresh talent from Africa.
The winner will spend three months at the BBC headquarters in London, gaining skills and experience.
Applications close on 15th March 2017 at 23:59 GMT.
The award was established to honour Komla Dumor, an exceptional Ghanaian broadcaster and presenter for BBC World News, who died suddenly aged 41 in 2014. In November 2014, the Association for International Broadcasting presented its Founders Award in memory of Komla to his widow, Kwansema.
You can read about eligibility criteria for the Award here.
21 February 2017
London-based international media facilities house to benefit from AIB’s global networks and services
The Association for International Broadcasting, the trade association for television, radio and online, has welcomed London-based studio and facilities house Celebro Media as its latest Member.
“It is great to have Celebro Media on board as a Member of the Association for International Broadcasting,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “Celebro Media is an innovative company and we have been impressed by the innovative solutions it offers to broadcasters. We are looking forward to helping Celebro Media as it develops its services in the UK and around the world.”
“We are extremely pleased to be part of the AIB community,” commented Wesley Dodd, CEO of Celebro Media (pictured). “We are dedicated to supporting the international broadcasting industry and being involved in the AIB’s global networks will be a real benefit to my colleagues and me. Celebro Media is looking forward to sharing its expertise and its innovations with other AIB Members in the Association’s working groups. And of course, we’re happy to explore how Celebro Media can help and assist other AIB Members.”
Through its Membership of the Association for International Broadcasting, Celebro Media now has access to the full range of the AIB’s work, ranging from market intelligence briefings to participation in working groups that focus on key areas of activity such as emerging technology, cyber security, sustainability and audience measurement. The AIB also supports its Members on key issues that affect their business through its international lobbying activities.
The Association for International Broadcasting is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that works for the benefit of its Members and of the wider media industry.
20 February 2017
Ooredoo and MBC GROUP hosted a star-studded event at the Museum of Islamic Art last night to launch the exclusive new MBC+ Ooredoo Channel for Ooredoo TV subscribers.
The event was attended by Ooredoo Qatar CEO Waleed Al Sayed, MBC GROUP CEO Sam Barnett and a host of MBC talent including: “Sabah Al Khair Ya Arab” star Khaled Al Shaer, reporter and broadcaster Ali Al Ghofaily, journalist Ola Al-Fares, as well as presenter Ghada Mussali from MBC1 and presenter Mariam Said from ET Bil Arabi.
The MBC+ Ooredoo Channel launch is part of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Ooredoo and MBC GROUP signed last year, which gave Ooredoo exclusive rights to some of the GROUP’s most popular High Definition (HD) channels in Qatar.
With this latest partnership, Ooredoo TV customers will now be able to exclusively enjoy a brand new channel and that will include a selection of MBC’s best Arabic content.
MBC+ Ooredoo Channel is available on channel 180 now and content will include: Tabakh Al Sultan, Scoop, Dahsha, El Hokm, El Hob Al Halal and much more.
Talking at the event, Waleed Al Sayed, Ooredoo Qatar Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since its launch Ooredoo TV has offered the latest and best content, whether live, On Demand or on the go via the Ooredoo TV App. This is the latest step in our vision of offering leading local and international content to Qatar and we hope you enjoy the wide range of programmes we have selected especially for Ooredoo TV customers in HD.”
MBC Group CEO, Sam Barnett said: “It’s a privilege to be partnering with such an innovative telecommunications company.
The speed and sophistication of the network provided by Ooreedoo means that viewers in Qatar are able to experience audiovisual content at industry leading levels of quality”.
Barnett further added: “It was only a few months ago when we announced our intention to work together, and now today our combined teams are ready to launch both MBC+ Ooreedoo and our premium Video On Demand service SHAHID PLUS”.
To ensure that Ooredoo’s entertainment portfolio stays ahead of the growing switch to digital content, Ooredoo and MBC GROUP have recently announced that all Ooredoo customers can now exclusively enjoy MBC’s SHAHID PLUS online service in Qatar. They can catch-up with the latest & the exclusive shows, award-winning content among many dramas and movies with no ads.
With MBC’s SHAHID PLUS service, Ooredoo customers enjoy MBC’s premium VOD service and enjoy its strong content offering (exclusive Arabic series, shows and the latest Arabic movies) on-the-go in an uninterrupted experience with no ads.
Existing Mozaic TV customers who want to upgrade to Ooredoo TV to take advantage of the MBC+ Ooredoo Channel can simply visit any Ooredoo retail shop to register and collect a free Ooredoo TV play device.
Ooredoo TV offers features such as 4K resolution, time shift, Android apps, parental control, thousands of hours of on-demand content and much more at no extra cost. Ooredoo TV is available from Ooredoo Shops, Starlink, TechnoBlue and Jumbo outlets. The service has no upfront charges, no equipment costs and no ongoing contracts.
Visit ooredoo.qa/portal/OoredooQatar/ooredoo-tv_2 for more.
About Ooredoo
Ooredoo is Qatar’s leading communications company, delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential.
(Source: MBC press release)
17 February 2017
London-based Celebro Media are in trials with a new type of HD OB Vehicle.
On Monday 20th February the studio and facilities company is offering a free trial to all broadcasters.
The new truck will be outside the UK Parliament at College Green (right) for planned coverage of the two parliamentary debates relating to the visit of Donald Trump. 15 minute slots will be available from Midday (1200GMT) till 1830 (GMT). Camera and sound is provided.
You can simply book a slot for a reporter or guest stand-up and Celebro Media will provide downlink details and IFB. The signal can be picked up at BT Tower for downlink (it may also be possible to arrange feeds to Reuters and EBU, by agreement) and there are no hidden costs or charges. We can also hand-off the signal via Streambox if required.
This is a totally free trial day with no commitment. Please pass on to your relevant Sat-Desk or bookings team – or any colleagues in international news media.
You can book your slot at studio@celebromedia.co.uk
For more details contact Andrew Lebentz on +44 7875 595 005 . Andrew is the on-site co-ordinator.
15 February 2017
AIB welcomes Hum Network as first Member in Pakistan
National and international broadcaster set to benefit from full range of AIB services
The Association for International Broadcasting, the trade association for television, radio and online, is pleased to announce that Hum Network has become its first Member in Pakistan.
Hum Network is Pakistan’s only publicly-quoted media company, operating a range of television channels that are available across the country. Hum Network also offers its television channels in North America, the UK and the Middle East.
Established in 2004, Hum Network has expanded into production for television and film, and has plans for further development in a range of areas of the media both at home and abroad.
“We are delighted to welcome Hum Network as a Member of the Association for International Broadcasting,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “HUM Network is a dynamic company that has developed fast over the past 13 years. The AIB and its Members look forward to working with Hum Network and its executives as they expand their reach and introduce new services. As part of the AIB, Hum Network will benefit from the expertise that exists within the Association and from the opportunities of collaboration with our global membership base.”
“In joining the AIB, Hum Network is reinforcing its position as the pioneer of Pakistan’s media industry,” commented Duraid Qureshi, CEO of Hum Network (pictured). “We are pleased to be the AIB’s first Member in Pakistan, benefiting from the work that the Association undertakes for all its Members across the world. My colleagues and I are looking forward to working closely with the AIB and its Members.”
As a Member, Hum Network now has access to the full range of the AIB’s work, ranging from market intelligence briefings to participation in working groups that focus on key areas of activity such as cyber security, sustainability and audience measurement. The AIB also supports its Members on key issues that affect their business through its international lobbying activities.
The Association for International Broadcasting is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that works for the benefit of its Members and of the wider media industry.
13 February 2017
In the year since the last World Radio Day, the global radio industry has gone from strength to strength.
Some estimates suggest that today there are over 44,000 radio stations – large, medium and small – all over the world. It is believed that 75% of the planet’s population – about 5.6 billion people – listen to radio every week. That’s an impressive number and shows that radio, in all its forms, remains an important medium.
At the Association for International Broadcasting, we monitor developments in all sectors of the media industry, and the vibrancy of today’s radio industry continues to fascinate us. There continues to be remarkable innovation in the sector. New initiatives, such as radio.garden, have become viral internet sensations. Voice controlled devices, like Amazon’s Echo, place radio from around the world at the centre of people’s homes. World Radio Day 2017 marks the official launch of the dot radio top level domain that will allow radio broadcasters to harness the power of, and be more easily recognised on, the internet.
Of course, it is the engagement with listeners that is most exciting about radio, and the impact the medium has on people’s lives. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, based in Prague, has collected anecdotes from some of its 13.5million listeners across Central Asia, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. They talk of the impact that the broadcaster has on their lives and how RFE/RL has created a democratic space that benefits society.
“The work of radio members of the Association for International Broadcasting remains as important today as it has always been,” comments Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “Whether it’s entertainment, news or documentaries, radio continues to engage, inform and educate listeners in every country on the planet. And we’re delighted to see exciting, relevant new initiatives that makes radio ever more accessible in today’s ‘always on’ society. Radio isn’t just important on World Radio Day – it’s on the air 365 days a year, touching people’s lives in a constantly increasing number of positive ways.”
The AIB’s Business of Radio book highlights the continuing relevance of the radio industry and showcases the work of some of the AIB’s Members around the world. Read it online here.
