The Middle East's premier signage and imaging event opened in Dubai today, 15 February, 2009, and runs until 17 February at the Dubai Airport Expo. This is the 11th annual Signage & Graphic Imaging Middle East, with over 300 exhibitors, from 28 countries and over 10,000 visitors expected.

SGI 209 showcases the latest products and emerging technologies within the industries of Advertising, Architectural hardware, Banners & Posters, Digital Imaging, Electronic Message Centre, Electric Signage, Graphic imaging industry, Graphic services, Large format Printing, Printing on Paper, Printing, Photo Imaging & Printing, Sign Substrates/Equipment and Signage etc.

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'Hydra Executives', the brand new English reality-based series that pits a team of eight American contenders against a group of eight British rivals, has raked in top ratings with its pilot episode

Hydra Executives continuously breaking viewership records as the show's drama and excitement build up week after week. Critics have been lauding the show for introducing the concept of reality TV, which can potentially change the face of entertainment television in the Middle East. The program, which debuted on January 07, 2009, features a team of eight American contenders and a group of eight British rivals and the challenges they undertake to win a business grant worth USD 1 million.

With a total of four contestants eliminated - one from the UK Team and three from the US Team - the Brits are trying to keep the momentum of their early success, while the Americans are working harder to beat their opponents despite the disadvantage of being two team members short. All the tasks so far have presented the contenders with daunting challenges, which make it all the more exciting to see who will emerge as the first-ever 'Hydra Executive' in the season's 23 remaining episodes.

The show is being aired on two different timeslots - every Wednesday at 7 PM and at 11 PM on Showtime and Infinity TV. A delayed telecast of the show's latest episodes also airs every Tuesday on Hollywood.TV and Emirates TV.

 

 

Research by Arab Advisors Group has found that the Gulf region boasts the highest terrestrial TV advertising rates compared to the Levant and North Africa regions. Looking at the peak rates of each region, the Gulf and the Levant come very close, though.

The peak terrestrial TV ad rate in the Gulf falls between 21:00 and 22:00 and is offered to advertisers at an average of US$ 1536. This is close to the Levant’s peak rate between 20:00 and 21:00 offered at US$ 1533.

The regional average terrestrial TV advertising rate represents the mean for a 30 second commercial spot for the eight countries discussed in the report. The peak regional average terrestrial TV advertising rate falls between 20:00 and 21:00 and stands at US$ 1339.

The types of programs usually broadcast in the evening range from first run popular series and movies to the daily comprehensive news coverage. In addition, live shows such as talk shows and contest shows broadcast during the evening period. All rates used in the Arab Advisors’ analysis correspond to a 30 second commercial spot on a Tuesday since this is a work day for all countries in a region where weekend times differ.

These findings are part of a report of a report entitled “Terrestrial TV Advertising Rates in the Arab World 2007”, released by the Arab Advisors Group this month, which has 55 detailed exhibits and provides detailed analysis of the terrestrial TV advertising rates in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE.