Arabic television drama channel to be launched



A new Arabic-language TV drama channel being launched by MBC Group will attract "millions" of viewers, according to the Saudi-owned broadcaster.

The 24-hour MBC Drama channel will commence broadcasting on 27 November and air series from Egypt, GCC and the Levant. "The launch of MBC Drama marks the tenth channel and the twentieth anniversary of MBC Group," said Mazen Hayek, the official spokesman, and group director of PR and commercial at MBC Group. "It's going to be a family-targeted channel. The channel will have new exclusive first runs from the beginning," added Mr Hayek. "It will eventually reach millions [of viewers]."

The channel will enter the Arab world's crowded 'free-to-air' TV broadcaster sector, where more than 480 channels vie for the attention of viewers.

MBC Drama will be officially launched at an event held this evening at the Armani Hotel at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

bflanagan@thenational.ae

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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

Company%20Profile
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