UAE Give Qatari Media Some Latitude
Edward Ed Schnik, CFO, Yorkville Advisors
After months of standoff and tense ‘negotiations,’ the UAE has eased certain restrictions on Qatari media. CNN is reporting channels owned by BeIN Media (a Qatari provider) were back on the air, no longer being blocked by telecom services in the UAE. While no official reason for the shift in policy was given, it’s likely, at least in part, a result of viewer push back against the bans. Some of the most-banned content included the best soccer matches, as well as hugely-popular children’s programming. Any parent knows what it feels like when your child’s favorite program is suddenly, without warning, no longer available.
It’s also possible that the release of the ban is a harbinger of thawing relations between the UAE and Qatar, as well as other nations in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. These nations, among other allies, have effectively isolated Qatar due to diplomatic and political disagreements with the country. The first to go was Qatar’s news agency, Al Jazeera. Blocking of that network, among as well as entertainment channels, was followed by a list of non-negotiable demands the allied nations presented to Qatar, if that nation wished to resume previous diplomatic relations. At the top of the list? Close down Al Jazeera, a network these other nations believe is unfair to their interests and perspectives on the world stage.
Qatar refused to stop broadcasting the news via Al Jazeera. So, off went all the programming, including the UEFA Champions League, which BeIN owns exclusive rights to, as well as other top European leagues including Serie A and La Liga. Tensions rose, as both sides dug in. Now, though, it looks like at least BeIN fans will get what they’ve been missing. A network spokesman said they welcomed the return to the air: “BeIN is pleased that more of our customers in the UAE will be able to enjoy the upcoming Premier League season, as well as the range of other premium sporting events we broadcast…”
The lift of the ban was accompanied by a bit of a veiled threat that content would be “subject to ongoing review” which seems to indicate programming could be blocked again at any time.
That’s not to say everything is back to where it was before. Qatar’s state-run version of Al Jazeera remains blocked, a definite signal that things are not nearly as amiable as these other changes might indicate. UAE seems content with Qatar showing entertainment, but not broadcasting news they don’t want people to hear.
