Anticipation for the London Olympics is reaching fever pitch. Tomorrow night's opening ceremony will usher in a month-long sports extravaganza where networks as well as sporting nations compete to capture hearts and minds. We take a look at what local and regional television networks are doing to claim the top spot.
A television extravaganza
A broadcaster's reputation among sports fans depends on how it treats the big events. With the exception of the football World Cup, nothing comes close to matching the sporting spectacle that is the Olympic Games. With 26 sports in competition and an estimated 14,000 athletes from more than 200 countries, the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of sporting events. You get the coverage right during the month, and viewers can easily forgive reruns of old sitcoms and inexplicable midseason breaks of the latest serials. Get it wrong and you endure four years of shame, not to mention a Facebook revolt when announcing the intention to broadcast the next big event.
Industry practice usually has one channel winning the sole rights to the Olympic coverage for a certain territory but viewers in the Middle East are spoilt for choice when it comes to viewing options. Three channels in the region have splashed the cash (up from 2010, this year's Olympic Games broadcasting revenue reached nearly US$4 billion alone) to host the event either free to air, through subscription fees or both. The broadcasters lining up on the starting blocks are Abu Dhabi Sports, OSN Sports and Al Jazeera Sports.
Abu Dhabi Sports
Already establishing its sports pedigree with its coverage of the English Premiere League and the Formula One racing season, Abu Dhabi Sports's coverage of the Olympics will be its biggest test yet and the team is set to make its mark with coverage spanning nine channels. Led by the anchor Mohammed Najib (also the head of all Abu Dhabi Sport channels), the channel's coverage will be led from its own studios in London. All sport events will be covered through its free and subscription channels, with the former hosting key events including the opening ceremony and the UAE's football matches, swimming and athletics. A morning sports news show, beginning from 10am, will also be available to catch up on all the action missed and yet to come.
www.adtvnetwork.com
OSN Sports
To cover the gamut of the Olympics, OSN gives subscribers five new sports channels, taking its tally up to 19 channels dedicated to viewing the Olympics. As well as the high-definition formats and the Arabic and English commentary, there will be 10 OSN Play Live streaming channels available to view on your PC, Mac, laptop or iPad. With television remote control functions giving you the options to record, pause and rewind, you can create your slow-mo shots of that perfect dive or the anguished faces of hammer throwers.
www.osn.com
Al Jazeera Sports
With years of experience in well-executed coverage of premiere sporting events, including the recently completed European Football Championships, everybody knows what to expect from the Qatar-based sporting giant: more shiny new studios, a gaggle of talking heads and coverage spread across its 10 channels and its HD platforms.
www.en.aljazeerasport.com
Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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Company%20profile
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Revival
Eminem
Interscope
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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UAE%20PREMIERSHIP
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Results
6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer)
6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m
Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m
Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor
8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons
9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
