Music videos and cultural implications

In 2003, one of the first Arabic 'videoclip jukebox' channels went on the air from Dubai Media City, MusicPlus, based on a Business Plan and Operational Format I had been asked to devise. I think I was perspicacious enough to borrow ideas from the right sources, the German channel Viva serving as the matrix for the new project both from the programming perspective and monetization exclusively through premium tariff text messaging.

Four years later there are dozens of similar channels broadcasting videoclips free-to-air to the Middle East North Africa audience. Some feature only clips of artists signed to the record company owning the channel. Others focus on the specific musical sub-genres of regional Arabic pop and folk music.

But the success of videoclip jukebox channels is not welcomed by all. This BBC News article headlined Arab youth revel in pop revolution sums up the issues and the conflicts involved.

Conflicts? At the end of March the following text appeared in one of the local English language newspapers:it was announced that a "fifth awareness campaign on the negative impact of media would be held..."

“Owners of media organisations should prevent shameful or indecent messages from being shown on their satellite channels, encouraging youths to indulge in illegal activities,” said the campaign's organizer.