The Capital TV is an online entertainment program keeping us up to date on the latest gigs and events to hit Abu Dhabi. We speak to General Manager Melanie Carpenter about the new show.
What is the concept of The Capital List TV?
The Capital List TV is an online video account of all the exciting things going on in Abu Dhabi nightlife – new nightlife venue openings, celebrity and international artist appearances and interviews, and special events; basically, if anything new or exciting is happening in Abu Dhabi nightlife, The Capital List will be there to cover it. We're actively promoting Abu Dhabi nightlife and events, and demonstrating some of the good sides to hospitality and entertainment in the Capital. We have two presenters, one a female Western expat, the other a male local Emirati, so we appeal to the wide demographic of people in Abu Dhabi. The Capital List website provides the people of Abu Dhabi with a valuable service – they can find out what's happening in Abu Dhabi nightlife any day of the week, and be confident that the information is completely up-to-date. The Capital List TV is an extension of this service, and is enhancing and supporting Abu Dhabi's nightlife community. The first episode went live March 28.
Can you describe the format?
It's a bi-weekly 4-7 minute episode, hosted on our YouTube Channel that covers some of the key exciting nightlife events in Abu Dhabi the past fortnight, and introduces what's coming up in the next couple of weeks. We also try to interview some key people in Abu Dhabi nightlife, including international DJs and artists, as well as promoters and special event organisers, and nightlife venue managers.
What guests does the show look for?
As soon as we hear someone big is coming to Abu Dhabi, we do our utmost to secure an interview with them – the most recent was Ameriie. We also like to work with venues and people that have showed their support to The Capital List (the website) from our inception up till now.
What should people expect from future episodes?
Whenever something exciting is happening in Abu Dhabi, we’ll be there – we’re at all the big parties, all the new venues and all the new and biggest nights – we truly have our finger on the Abu Dhabi nightlife pulse.
What are some of the benefits of presenting the show online?
Obviously there’s the cost and time to market – we invest in our videographer and editing, however, we can get an episode up and live relatively quickly (once we have footage of all the different events we’re covering of course!). It’s also accessible to anyone, anywhere, whether they’re on their computer, their tablet or their mobile – it’s visual information right at people’s fingertips.
Do you believe online can take over traditional formats like television and radio in terms of delivering entertainment news?
I think more and more people are spending more time on their computers and mobile devices, and streaming the shows and videos they want, when they want. People are spending the majority of their time on the net now on social media, and video sharing sites such as YouTube.
What are the times and dates for the online broadcast? Is it weekly, monthly or adhoc?
Every second weekend. We promote it by posting it on our Facebook fan page and website, and via our weekly newsletter to our subscribers.
