Skip to content Skip to Search
Skip navigation

Entertainment

A Muvi cinema in Riyadh

‘Entertainment is the new retail’ for Riyadh malls

More than half the new retail space being developed in Riyadh is dedicated to entertainment venues, research has found, as Saudi Arabia seeks to attract younger people to malls. At the Mall of Saudi, being developed by Majid Al Futtaim in north Riyadh, large areas will be allocated to dining, leisure and entertainment – and […]

Qatar reviews London investments after transport advert ban

Qatar has launched a review of its investments in London after the city’s transport authority this week banned the Gulf state’s tourism advertisements on the capital’s buses, taxis and Underground train system, Saturday’s Financial Times reported. The paper said the move by Transport for London (TfL) was triggered by concerns over the soccer World Cup […]

MassiveMusic worked with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority to capture authentic sounds of the city

MassiveMusic is making some noise with Middle East move

“Sonic branding” is not a term many people outside the marketing industry are familiar with, especially in the Gulf region. But they may become more so, as companies increasingly adopt music strategies to reach their customers.     “We know the effect that successful music can have on communication, and it is fast becoming a point of […]

Book, Publication, Hotel

Wizarding World of Harry Potter to be built at UAE’s Yas Island

Abu Dhabi-based Miral and Warner Bros. Discovery are to build a Harry Potter-themed land within the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, the companies said in a joint statement. “The original Harry Potter stories and the blockbuster film series continue to captivate and inspire hundreds of millions of fans around the world,” Pam Lifford, president, […]

Sony unit takes stake in Gulf concert promoter

The founders of an agency that has played a central part in revolutionising entertainment in the Gulf said on Thursday that a tie-up with New York-based Sony Masterworks will buy the operation time and space to expand and invest.  Sony has acquired 55 percent of Mac Global for an undisclosed sum, Daniel Goldberg, one of […]

Shoe, Footwear, Clothing

Amazon says ‘Lord of the Rings’ prequel sets viewership record

Amazon.com Inc said on Saturday that its pricey “Lord of the Rings” prequel series was watched by more than 25 million viewers around the world on its first day, a record debut for a Prime Video series. “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” premiered on Amazon’s streaming service on Friday in more […]

Metropolis, Building, City

Parts of Expo City Dubai to open to visitors from September 1

Fans of Expo 2020 Dubai will be able to visit some of the event’s key features and pavilions from September 1, a month ahead of the official reopening of the site as a business and entertainment hub. The Government of Dubai Media Office announced on Monday that two of the site’s most popular pavilions, Alif […]

Chinese censors change ending of latest ‘Minions’ movie

Censors have altered the ending of the animated film “Minions: The Rise of Gru” for its domestic release in China, social media users across the country noticed over the weekend. The editing is yet another example of Chinese authorities editing a Hollywood film to make sure on-screen criminals are punished – to the amusement or […]

Anghami bets on Arabic music to deliver streaming growth

Abu Dhabi-based streaming provider Anghami is betting on Arabic content to deliver future growth as it announced a 41 percent increase in subscribers in the first half of 2022. With just one percent of Anghami’s content being Arabic, it is one area that the company is looking to grow significantly, Elie Habib, chief technology officer […]

Dubai record label launches as Arab music appeal grows

Galaxy Racer (GXR), the media giant focused on e-sports, music and sports, has announced the launch of GXR Records, an independent music label based in Dubai.  GXR and Empire, the global independent label, distributor and publisher, said the new venture will be led by Elia Mssawir and will focus on developing talents in West Asian […]

Female, Person, Human

Sonal Vara-Parmar, founder IAM Entertainment

What does your company do?  Based in Dubai, IAM works at the forefront of events and live shows across the Middle East, bringing together the biggest stars on the planet.  What do you look for when hiring talent?  We look for dynamic creators – innovative and versatile, trustworthy individuals willing to go the extra mile […]

Turkey’s $800m robotic dinosaur amusement park lies desolate

Giant dinosaurs and robot models abandoned among decrepit fair rides create a dystopian atmosphere in a defunct amusement park in the Turkish capital, which its opposition party mayor is now highlighting as a testament to past government profligacy. Three years ago, President Tayyip Erdogan opened the massive theme park with great fanfare ahead of local […]

Arab music streaming service expands into live events

Abu Dhabi-headquartered Arabic music streaming service Anghami has expanded into the live music sector through its acquisition of Dubai-headquartered events and concert organiser Spotlight Events. The partnership will bridge the online and offline sector, giving Anghami music fans opportunities to see their favourite acts live, access to exclusive private concerts, VIP lounges, artist meet-and-greets and […]

Hollywood actor Chris Evans voices Buzz Lightyear in the movie

‘Lightyear’ banned days after Disney streaming launch

The UAE has banned the latest Disney animated blockbuster from showing in cinemas in the country, just days after the American entertainment giant launched its long-awaited streaming service across the region. The Media Regulatory Office, part of the UAE Ministry of Youth and Culture, said in a tweet on Monday that the “the animated film […]