City 7 Dubai
City 7 TV is the United Arab Emirates first English language television channel producing various local programmes spread throughout the viewing day. CITY 7 TV is a satellite television channel accessible to all viewers free-to- air on Nilesat 101. It is also available on Channel 1 of Showtime, Channel 140 on e-vision and Du IPTV.
 | |
| Broadcast area | Arab World |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Arab Emirates |
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 4:3 (576i, SDTV) |
| History | |
| Launched | September 16, 2002 |
| Closed | April 20, 2017 |
Originally called 'IN TV' and launched in December 2004 by Pakistani Business man Ali Mahmood. Then channel was later re-launched as City 7 TV by Mohi-Din BinHendi, a UAE national who saw a great opportunity to address the needs of both an expatriate audience and modern Arabs looking for local programming in English. In the last year of operation, the channel has expanded with the introduction of several locally produced news and entertainment shows. These include news, business and programmes on cars, cooking, shopping, sports, fashion, children. City 7 TV is a free-to-air channel and is available on Nilesat 101, channel 1 on Showtime, channel 89 on all E-vision packages and Du IPTV.
City 7 TV was closed down on April 20, 2017.
Demographics
City 7 TV caters to the English speaking community across the Middle East, making its reach the widest in the region. City7 TV programming covers a range of genres, including News, Business, Current Affairs, Entertainment, Cars & Safety, Lifestyle, Fashion, Culture, Nightlife including host Susie iliyan's show 'Dubai 'n I' & 'Out & About', Sport and children’s programming.
The Channel is watched by the multicultural population of the UAE & the rest of the MENA region, and has the added advantage of being the only channel reaching out to visitors, tourists and business travellers to the UAE.
Content
Original Shows
- That Women's Show - Original hosts: Julie Matthews Borchardt, Claire Gilchrist, Danya Hejazi & Susie Iliyan - Producer: Ramin Hashemian
City Women - original hosts Julie Mathiews, Susie iliyan, Hanane Spiers (was Taalah) and Lara Tabet.
- In Gear - Original host: Hanane Spiers (was Taalah), Caitlin Hughes - Producer: Ramin Hashemian
- Kids Club
- Society
- Chefs in the City
Other Shows
- Heart Break High
- Gamer.tv
- The Basil Brush Show
- Balamory
- Tweenies
- Budgie the Little Helicopter
- Spot
- Dr Otter
- The Hoobs
- What's New Scooby-Doo?
- The Powerpuff Girls
- House of Mouse
- Codename: Kids Next Door
- Super Robot Monkey Team
- Lilo & Stitch
- JoJo's Circus
- Tiny Toon Adventures
- Brilliant Creatures
- The Story of Tracy Beaker
- Minder
- Keeping Up Appearances
- Water Rats
- Blue Heelers
- Open All Hours
- Eureka TV
- Charlie's Angels
- Dallas
Re-launch and subsequent turbulence
City 7 TV was relaunched in 2007, with new programmes and a new name. However, signs of troubles begin emerging in December 2007 when the then CEO resigned, seeking a "different environment". In October 2008, the channel's 130 staff members were not paid their wages for that month. In a candid, televised interview broadcast on City 7, owner Mohidin Bin Hendi said City 7 must be "proactive". While he stated he would not sell out the channel although he might consider it if it was the right offer by the right person.[1] The staff were then paid their regular wages.
References
- "City 7 TV must be proactive, says Bin Hendi | GulfNews.com". www.gulfnews.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022.