New ‘Million Dollar Island’ seasons to be produced at NEOM

New ‘Million Dollar Island’ seasons to be produced at NEOM
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The broadcast date of the new seasons is yet to be announced. “Ard Al-Million” will air on MBC1 and Shahid. (Supplied)
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Updated 14 June 2024
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New ‘Million Dollar Island’ seasons to be produced at NEOM

New ‘Million Dollar Island’ seasons to be produced at NEOM
  • Talpa Studios recommissions hit reality show for MBC in the Middle East, NET5 in the Netherlands

DUBAI: Talpa Studios, which was founded by John de Mol, the creator of popular shows “The Voice” and “Big Brother,” has recommissioned its reality show “Million Dollar Island” for new seasons in the Middle East and the Netherlands.

The new seasons — titled “Million Dollar Land” or “Ard Al-Million” for MBC in the Middle East and “Million Dollar Desert” for NET5 in the Netherlands  — will be produced at Saudi Arabia’s NEOM production hub, in collaboration with regional production house Blue Engine Studios.

This will be the second season of “Ard Al-Million.” The first season aired on MBC Group’s TV channels MBC1, MBC IRAQ, and Shahid last May.

Produced by Monday Media, “Million Dollar Island” also ran for two seasons in the Netherlands. The new season, however, marks a shift to the desert-oriented format and will be shot at NEOM.

Blue Engine Studios played a key role in facilitating the deal between Talpa Studios and NEOM’s media sector and aims to bring more countries to NEOM’s production hub.

Its work on the Dutch edition included facilitating Monday Media’s production of the latest season, such as sourcing suppliers, permits and equipment as part of the studio’s commitment to establish a hub for the show at NEOM.

Ziad Kebbi, CEO at Blue Engine Studios, said that the “collaboration with NEOM and Talpa Studios underscores our commitment to producing high-quality entertainment that resonates with audiences.”

Unlike previous seasons, which featured 100 contestants, the new seasons will see 30 contestants test their endurance as they navigate the challenges of life in the desert.

There will be other changes to the format revealed when the new seasons go on air.

“These spin-offs preserve “the core principles that have made the original so compelling, while introducing innovative new elements that are perfectly suited to NEOM’s stunning desert scenery,” said Sebastian van Barneveld, director of international distribution at Talpa Studios.

Partnerships such as these ensure “a robust pipeline of productions and afford opportunities to accelerate our media ecosystem while training the next generation of talent,” said Wayne Borg, managing director of NEOM Media Industries.

The broadcast date of the new seasons is yet to be announced. “Ard Al-Million” will air on MBC1 and Shahid.


‘A lot can be learned’ from Saudi Arabia’s media sector: Pakistan minister

‘A lot can be learned’ from Saudi Arabia’s media sector: Pakistan minister
Updated 20 February 2025
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‘A lot can be learned’ from Saudi Arabia’s media sector: Pakistan minister

‘A lot can be learned’ from Saudi Arabia’s media sector: Pakistan minister
  • Attaullah Tarar: ‘All the action is taking place in Riyadh, and the Saudi transformation under his royal highness’s leadership is something which is phenomenal and historic’
  • Tarar: ‘Sixty percent of our population is based on youth under the age of 30, we can provide great entrepreneurs, film-makers, documentary-makers, artists, actors and actresses’

RIYADH: On the sidelines of the fourth Saudi Media Forum, Pakistan Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar told Arab News that much could be learned from Saudi Arabia’s media sector.

“There was a time when Pakistani doctors, engineers, pilots and lawyers and different professionals would come to Saudi, train here, now it’s the other way around,” Tarar said.

“Now we are leaning from the Saudi experience.” 

On the topic of digital media, the minister said: “There is a lot that we can learn. 

“I think the Saudi Media Forum is an excellent initiative, which started back in 2019,” he said. “Today all of the relevant stakeholders are under one roof.

“It (the forum) is a great learning experience because we want the (global) media to witness how the Saudi society has transformed over the past few years, and seeing is believing,” he said.

“I would like to pay my compliments to the media minister, his excellency, Salman Al-Dossary, and his entire team for putting together such a great show.

“This is something (the media forum) even we need to implement in our part of the world.” 

During his visit at the forum, Tarar also had a meeting with Al-Dossary, during which the two discussed ways of furthering collaboration between their two countries.

“We spoke about further collaborations, because Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are strategic partners — there is a people-to-people contact, that contact is from the heart. 

“We are bound by culture, we are bound by religion, we are bound by so many common things that we have, and we discussed how we can collaborate further.” 

The minister highlighted some of the areas where the two countries could work together; whether through journalist exchange programs, exchange of know-how, and collaboration in digital media. 

Tarar told Arab News that since the start of his ministerial appointment, he had been to Riyadh five times in the past ten months. He jokingly added that he did not go to his hometown as often as he went to Riyadh.

“Riyadh is now the center of activity,” the minister said.

“All the action is taking place in Riyadh, and the Saudi transformation under his royal highness’s leadership is something which is phenomenal and historic,” Tarar said.

Having been to Riyadh so often and witnessed the transformation, Tarar said that he would “look back in so many years and say, ‘That when this great thing was happening, I was here.’” 

Tarar said: “I have been to Riyadh five times, and the way Saudi society has transformed, I would like to compliment the vision of his royal highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the way he took forward the Vision 2030 not just as a vision, we now see that vision implemented on the ground.” 

The minister underlined the transformative social changes he had witnessed from Vision 2030, such as women leading across sectors, and especially women moderating and leading conversations during the Saudi Media Forum.

During the forum, Tarar spoke during a session titled, “How Can Partnerships Between Regional and Global Media Enhance the Local Media Economy.”

In his session the minister underlined the importance of increased collaboration between local and international news outlets. 

Tarar hopes that both countries can further their collaborations in media, explaining that “there are so many good stories to tell,” in Pakistan.

“I believe in joint productions with documentaries and films,” he said.

“Sixty percent of our population is based on youth under the age of 30, we can provide great entrepreneurs, film-makers, documentary-makers, artists, actors and actresses, and musicians who can really work toward the Pakistan-Saudi relationship.”


Experts highlight social media’s impact on traditional media standards

Experts highlight social media’s impact on traditional media standards
Updated 20 February 2025
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Experts highlight social media’s impact on traditional media standards

Experts highlight social media’s impact on traditional media standards
  • Jamie Angus said that the rise of platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram has eroded trust in mainstream media
  • Frank Kane: I would trust mainstream media to get things right anytime over most of the modern social media websites

RIYADH: Social media has fundamentally disrupted the traditional gatekeeping role of broadcast and print media, leading to heightened challenges in balancing ethical standards with audience expectations, said Jamie Angus, former chief operating officer of Al-Arabiya Network.

Angus’s comments came during a panel discussion, “Media Coverage of Crises: Challenges, Ethics, and the Role of Technology,” at the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh on Thursday.

“Before social media, we were the gatekeepers,” he said.

Angus said that the rise of platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram has eroded trust in mainstream media as audiences increasingly question editorial decisions.

“A small number of decision-makers in newsrooms controlled what audiences saw, particularly sensitive imagery related to conflicts, such as graphic depictions of violence or casualties.”

Angus said that traditional media historically balanced the need to avoid sanitizing the realities of war with adherence to editorial standards.

“Today, explicit and disturbing content circulates widely on platforms without warnings or context. Audiences now accuse mainstream media of hiding truths they can easily access on their phones,” he added.

Angus noted the growing dissonance between media organizations and their audiences.

“But the conversation has now shifted as audiences say, ‘I don’t trust the media anymore, because the media are hiding things from me that I can see on my phone.’”

Angus said that this poses a critical challenge for today’s media environment.

The unchecked spread of graphic content on social platforms, he argued, pressures traditional outlets to lower their standards to meet audience demands for unfiltered access, potentially compromising ethical guidelines.

Acknowledging the dilemma, Angus said that if traditional media avoids showing certain images, audiences might question their credibility.

Echoing concerns over digital-age challenges, Frank Kane, journalist and CEO of Sundog Education, emphasized the importance of reinstating rigorous journalistic processes to counter misinformation while preserving independence.

Kane reflected on his experience in UK print media during the 1980s: “There was a very rigorous structure for how news was verified, before it got into print, before it got published.”

Kane added that traditional newsrooms had layers of verification: reporters, sub-editors, news editors.

“This was long before the days of citizen journalism, which in many ways, is a good thing as it increases the number of sources that you have and the overall potential for news gathering,” he said.

But Kane underlined the importance of traditional techniques of news verification.

“Even though trust all round in mainstream media has declined, I still think I would trust mainstream media to get things right anytime over most of the modern social media websites that seem to produce lots of distortions, fakes, inaccuracies.”


Artificial intelligence should be used ‘with intelligence,’ says Arab News deputy editor-in-chief

Artificial intelligence should be used ‘with intelligence,’ says Arab News deputy editor-in-chief
Updated 20 February 2025
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Artificial intelligence should be used ‘with intelligence,’ says Arab News deputy editor-in-chief

Artificial intelligence should be used ‘with intelligence,’ says Arab News deputy editor-in-chief
  • Noor Nugali: AI ‘will never replace a human journalist in writing a fully developed article backed by evidence and facts’
  • Nugali said that it was unfortunate that some children were using AI to write essays or research papers and emphasized it should never be used for actual intelligence

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence should be applied “intelligently,” Arab News Deputy Editor-in-Chief Noor Nugali told the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh on Wednesday.

“In this era, AI must be used wisely — after all, artificial intelligence should be applied intelligently,” he said.

“We’re currently living in the age of the AI revolution, where artificial intelligence is being used across all fields, institutions, and even education.”

In a session tackling how new technologies and AI were shaping the news industry, Nugali underlined the importance of utilizing AI in a way that supported and encouraged human learning “rather than relying on it for simple copy-pasting.”

“This also applies to media,” she said. “Many people have concerns about AI tools like ChatGPT or other programs being used to write articles.”

Nugali stressed that while AI could help by providing background information or research, “it will never replace a human journalist in writing a fully developed article backed by evidence and facts.”

In education, Nugali said it was unfortunate that some children were using AI to write essays or research papers and emphasized it should never be used for actual intelligence.

Speaking alongside Nugali were Rashid Al-Hamer, editor of Bahrain’s leading newspaper Al-Ayam, and Hatem Abu Nassif, chairman of the Radio & Television Authority.

Afterwards, Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, spoke on a panel tacking manga and Saudi-led content creation.

He said Saudis were not here to simply watch: “We are here to participate, compete, and excel with our content and culture.”

He added that some 2.88 billion people, around 36 percent of the world’s population, watched anime.

“For years, people assumed that Saudi Arabia was merely a consumer (of anime content). But that has changed,” he said. 

“We no longer see manga and anime as something imported from Japan — we see them as an art form through which we create content, share our culture and tell our own stories to the world.”

Bukhary pointed out that Saudi anime series “Future’s Folktales” was broadcast in the Arab world, Japan, North America, Europe and India on eight platforms across five continents, garnering over 85 million views in just three months. An associated mobile game reached half a million downloads in three languages.

He said Saudi Arabia was taking the lead in anime content creation by producing animations, developing video games, and creating comics that shared Saudi stories with the world.

Also speaking on the panel were Yves Blehaut, business development manager for the Middle East and North Africa region at Media-Participations, and Kazuko Ishikawa, president of the Japanese production association that produced the “Sally” series.

The fourth Saudi Media Forum has the theme “Media in an Evolving World” and brings together 200 speakers including media professionals, academics, experts and specialists from local and international arenas.

Taking place from Feb. 19-21 it will feature 80 sessions comprising 40 panel discussions and 40 knowledge exchange sessions, serving as an international platform for forecasting and developing the future of media and exploring the latest technologies.


Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum

Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum
Updated 20 February 2025
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Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum

Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum
  • Former PM commends crown prince as a ‘leader with courage’
  • Compares rapid development in Saudi Arabia with UK’s sluggish progress

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s bold leadership and rapid transformation under Vision 2030 should serve as a model for other nations, former UK prime minister Boris Johnson said today at the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh.

Comparing the Kingdom’s accelerated economic and infrastructure development to the UK’s sluggish progress, Johnson highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ability to execute large-scale projects efficiently, crediting its decisive leadership for the shift.

“I visited NEOM eight years ago, and there was absolutely nothing there. Now, Saudi Arabia has built world-class resorts, with 12,000 hotel rooms under development,” he said. “Meanwhile, in the UK, we still struggle to complete one railway.”

Johnson praised Vision 2030 as the foundation of Saudi Arabia’s progress, highlighting its role in economic diversification, infrastructure expansion and social reforms. “Fifty percent of the Saudi economy is now non-oil,” he said, citing the Kingdom’s shift toward tourism, technology and renewable energy as key indicators of success.

Women’s empowerment also featured prominently in his remarks. Johnson highlighted that Saudi women’s participation in the technology workforce now surpasses that of Silicon Valley and Europe. “Look at the speed of change,” he said. “We in the UK need to learn from this.”

Beyond economic reforms, Johnson acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s rising diplomatic and geopolitical influence. He referenced its role in global discussions and peace initiatives, calling the Kingdom a key player in shaping the region’s future.

On the crisis in Gaza, Johnson called for strong leadership and reconciliation, urging the need for leaders with the courage to push for peace. “Saudi Arabia is playing a historic role in bringing long-term peace and prosperity to the region,” he said.

Johnson contrasted Saudi Arabia’s ability to execute large-scale projects quickly with the bureaucratic delays plaguing infrastructure development in the UK. “You’ve spent $68 billion on these projects, and we still can’t complete one railway,” he said, referencing the UK’s stalled High Speed 2 rail project.

“Saudi Arabia is a country where things are happening with incredible speed and decisiveness. Frankly, we need to learn that in the UK,” he added.

Shifting focus to media and public perception, Johnson criticized the role of social media algorithms in shaping biased narratives. He said that platforms like YouTube and Twitter often reinforce pre-existing beliefs rather than providing balanced perspectives. “We need to ensure the media presents balanced facts, rather than reinforcing pre-existing biases,” he added.

Reflecting on his own career, Johnson discussed his transition from journalism to politics, and said that he wanted to shift from critiquing policy to actively shaping it. “As a journalist, you throw rocks. As a politician, you build,” he added.

Johnson also pointed to the difficulty of leadership in a social media-driven world, where political figures face instant scrutiny and polarized opinions.

Concluding the session, Johnson praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, quoting Winston Churchill: “Courage is the most important virtue, and this country is fortunate to have a leader with courage.”

The Saudi Media Forum 2025, held in Riyadh from Feb. 19-21, brings together global media figures, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the future of media, governance and international relations.


Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue

Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
Updated 20 February 2025
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Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue

Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
  • Associated Press said it would continue to use the gulf’s established name disregarding the Trump administration’s effort to rebrand it as Gulf of America

LONDON: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will block the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One until the news agency stops referring to the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump signed an executive order in January directing the Interior Department to change the name of the body of water to the Gulf of America. The AP, citing editorial standards, said it would continue to use the gulf’s established name.
The White House has kept the AP out of several press pool gatherings during the past week, calling the news agency’s decision divisive and misinformation.
“We’re going to keep them out until such time as they agree that it’s the Gulf of America,” Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Tuesday in his first public comments on the issue.
The agency has retained access to the White House complex itself.

The Gulf of Mexico, branded as Gulf of America, is pictured through a magnifying glass on the Google Maps app on a computer in Bogota on February 11, 2025. (AFP) 

The AP says in its stylebook that the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. As a global news agency, the AP says it will refer to the gulf by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen.
“This is about the government telling the public and press what words to use and retaliating if they do not follow government orders,” said AP spokesperson Lauren Easton.
The White House Correspondents’ Association, which represents journalists covering the president, has protested the Trump administration’s actions against the AP.
Most news organizations, including Reuters, continue to call the body of water the Gulf of Mexico, although, where relevant, Reuters style is to include the context about Trump’s executive order.
“Reuters stands with the Associated Press and other media organizations in objecting to coverage restrictions imposed by the White House on the AP, because of the AP’s independent editorial decisions,” Reuters said in a statement on Saturday.