Bahrain Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentSaudi Arabia is leading the way as streaming platforms continue to gain traction in top Arab markets, where revenues from the SVOD market in 2021 grew a yearly 29% to $453 million.New research from Media Partners Asia reveals that Saudi accounted for more than half of the revenues. However, the pay-TV sector in Gulf Arab states suffered a 10% drop in revenues to $631 million in 2021, compared with 2020.The pay-TV sector in the region is now expected to further contract to $436 million by 2026, according to the report, which looks at streamers, pay TV and free TV across the six oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.  By contrast, SVOD revenue in the Gulf is projected to grow from its current level of $453 million to reach $667 million by 2026, “driven by improvements in connectivity, elevated levels of pay-TV cord cutting and the launch of new global platforms,” the report said.While Saudi Arabia accounted for more than half of the Gulf’s $453 million SVOD intake, the UAE, despite having a much smaller population, generated $125 million, which is 28% of the region’s 2021 SVOD revenues.Nevertheless, profitability “remains a challenge,” noted Media Partners analyst Aravind Venugopal, since competition will soon be steeped with more streamers set to enter what will soon become a crowded Arab streaming field.

Lewis Hamilton has been accused of attempting to force Michael Masi out of Formula One in response to the events at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. There has been radio silence from the seven-time world champion ever since a controversial call from the race director led to Max Verstappen passing Hamilton on the final lap to seal his first title. Hamilton's silence has led to suggestions that he could be pondering his future in the sport as he awaits the outcome of the FIA's investigation into the race - which could see Masi lose his job.

Naman Ramachandran The Walt Disney Company’s streamer Disney Plus has confirmed a summer 2022 launch across Europe, Africa and West Asia in 42 countries and 11 new territories. New countries for the service include South Africa, Turkey, Poland and the United Arab Emirates.The countries that the streamer will launch in include Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine Territories, Poland, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City and Yemen.

An ex-royal cop has called for Buckingham Palace to launch a probe into Prince Andrew over bullying claims - they same way they did to Meghan Markle.

Six-foot Prince Andrew demanded staff carried a six-foot ironing board on foreign trips, it has been claimed.The Duke of York has faced persistent claims in recent weeks he subjected aides to shouting, profanities and impossible requests. Most recently, it was reported he screamed at Buckingham Palace maids if they rearranged his 50-strong cuddly toy collection.

Prince Andrew was known for being "rude" and having unusual demands for staff according to a new report.

Naman Ramachandran “Aranyak,” the Indian noir series that began streaming Dec. 10, has emerged as a global hit for Netflix.

according to The Wrap. The movie was initially targeted to open in Saudi Arabia on Dec.

Musical fans in the Gulf states won’t be getting to see the new “West Side Story”.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterSome audiences in the Middle East won’t get to experience the epic love story between Maria and Tony.Disney and 20th Century’s “West Side Story,” director Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the classic musical, has been banned in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. In some cases, like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the film wasn’t granted a release certificate.

Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” will not screen in the Middle East nations of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as well as other countries, TheWrap has confirmed. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait both did not grant the film a release certificate, while local censors in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had requested cuts that Disney and 20th Century Studios opted not to make, an individual with knowledge said, and the film will not be released to those markets.

West Side Story will not be playing in a few Middle Eastern countries when it debuts this week.

Disney/20th Century Studios’ West Side Story is due to begin international box office rollout on Wednesday this week, but it will not be heading to movie theaters in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar or the UAE, Deadline has learned. While an official reason has not been made public, the situation is believed to be related to the character called Anybodys.

Hannibal started in Tunisia's opening game of the Arab Cup against Mauritania on Tuesday afternoon.

William Earl A newly-identified COVID variant known as B.1.1.529 has quickly rocked the economy and disrupted international travel.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentWhen “Eternals,” the first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe featuring a gay superhero, rolls out in the Arab world on Thursday, the Disney-distributed blockbuster will, unsurprisingly, skip releases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, mainly due to its LGBTQ+ content.

Deadline reported yesterday that Marvel’s latest juggernaut, The Eternals, will not be shown in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. The film — which contains the MCUs first same-sex kiss — was due to open in those markets on November 11, but censors sought further cuts beyond any scenes of same-sex intimacy. Disney opted not to make the edits, hence distribution certificates weren’t issued.

Weighing in. Amid the news that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman have dismissed theatrical releases of Marvel’s Eternals over censorship complaints, star Angelina Jolie opened up about her thoughts on the “ignorant” decision.

Some Marvel fans in the Middle East will be missing out on the franchise’s latest blockbuster.

The anticipated robust overseas box office of Disney/Marvel’s Eternals, which posted a first day of $7.6M, will definitely not have Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman in its future release plans.

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Kate Middleton has paid tribute to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, and reigning British monarch Queen Elizabeth II by wearing a special piece of jewelry to her grandfather-in-law Prince Philip‘s funeral on April 17. While attending the service at St.

.  "The arrangements have been agreed and represent Her Majesty's wishes."While , who is pregnant with the couple's second child, could not attend the service, this should also not be used as fodder for gossip.

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6 min read The 2021 Formula One season kicks off at Bahrain’s International Circuit in Sakhir this weekend and it will see a whole new group of drivers that will join those that survived the great cull and movement in 2020.

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With three days of F1 2021 testing done and dusted, here are some of the key stats for your perusal heading into the new season. Max Verstappen 1:28. 960 C4 Yuki Tsunoda 1:29.

Wigan Athletic.