DUBAI // Broadcasters and regulators must educate viewers on the damage online piracy does to the industry that makes the shows they want to watch, warned a panel of experts.
Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh, executive director of television at Abu Dhabi Media, which is the parent company of The National, said viewers throughout the Mena region should be made aware of the impact illegally streaming content had.
“Internet providers can do more on the issue and block pirated content but, at the end of the day, we need a cultural change in the mindset of people in the region,” he said.
“Regulators can also play more of a role but, unfortunately due to the nature of the situation in the region, I don’t think it is a high priority for many counties.”
He was speaking during a panel discussion on the opening day of the International Broadcasters Convention (IBC) being held at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena.
David Butorac, the chief executive of OSN, said most of the people who illegally download Hollywood movies, television series or stream live sport believed they were committing a “victimless crime”. “That is not the case,” he said.
“If you look at the fact that it costs about US$120 million (Dh441m) to produce the Netflix series House of Cards then the company needs to get a return on that investment otherwise, what is the point of making more content?”
Piracy means less money is going back into the industry, which can lead to less content being created.
OSN spends tens of millions of dollars each year implementing new technology to try to combat the issue, with about $60m alone spent on securing its broadcast signal to make it more difficult for it to be pirated.
YouTube could also do more on the issue, Mr Butorac said.
“You don’t get pornography on YouTube because it is blocked,” he said.
“The same should be done to prevent other intellectual property, like Hollywood films being shown.”
Khalifa Al Shamsi, chief digital services officer for Etisalat, echoed those sentiments, urging people to be responsible.
“There is a real need for the industry to educate people,” he said.
“The Asia Cup is currently going on and every morning I get WhatsApp messages with links to where people can watch games illegally.
“I replied to my friend telling him this is wrong and to watch it through beIN Sports but he said it was easier to just stream it from elsewhere. That is the kind of attitude we need to change.”
The three-day IBC conference runs until Thursday.
nhanif@thenational.ae
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
|
1.
|
United States
|
|
2.
|
China
|
|
3.
|
UAE
|
|
4.
|
Japan
|
|
5
|
Norway
|
|
6.
|
Canada
|
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
|
8.
|
Australia
|
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
Squad: Majed Naser, Abdulaziz Sanqour, Walid Abbas, Khamis Esmail, Habib Fardan, Mohammed Marzouq (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), Khalid Essa, Muhanad Salem, Mohammed Ahmed, Ismail Ahmed, Ahmed Barman, Amer Abdulrahman, Omar Abdulrahman (Al Ain), Ali Khaseif, Fares Juma, Mohammed Fawzi, Khalfan Mubarak, Mohammed Jamal, Ahmed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Ahmed Rashid, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Wahda), Tariq Ahmed, Mahmoud Khamis, Khalifa Mubarak, Jassim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Yousef Saeed (Sharjah), Suhail Al Nubi (Baniyas)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
