Disturbed by its inability to censor satellite TV programs considered unethical, the United Arab Emirates’ government has laid down the groundwork for a new cable system in the country.
Humaid Sahuhu, executive director of Emirates Vision TV Company, which is overseeing the switch, said satellite programs, which are broadcast at random and are uncensored, have had a negative affect on the conservative UAE society.
The Government is especially disturbed by the increase in counterfeit satellite “keys”, which give unlicensed access to channels with “unethical” programs. With cable TV, the government would control what people are watching by contracting “appropriate stations”, Sahuhu said.
Emirates Vision launched its cable project at the beginning of the year and has already laid the groundwork in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a first stage. Some 40,000 homes are presently connected to 50 cable channels for a free three-month trial period.
By the end of the year members will have access to 100 channels. Within five years, the service would reach 200,000 homes throughout the Emirates. Sahuhu said the company plans to keep membership low priced, only 145 Dirhams a month.
Emirates Vision is currently in negotiations with several international TV stations. The company has secured a contract with ShowTime, which provides viewers with 10 channels. ShowTime executive director, Peter Einstein said 150,000 people in the Gulf watch ShowTime and that it is the largest growing TV station in the Gulf capturing 50 percent of the UAE market.
“With one hundred different nationalities in the United Arab Emirates it is necessary for the country to provide suitable TV programs for all to enjoy,” Einstein said. — (Albawaba-MEBG)
