He's a renowned renovator and one broadcaster is hoping Bob the Builder can help lay strong foundations for its future. Discovery Networks, home of the flagship Discovery Channel, has bought the Middle Eastern rights for future series of the popular children's animation for its Dkids channel, and while it would be an exaggeration to say the global TV company expects humble Bob to fight off the competition presented by streaming services and online viewing platforms single-handedly, he can certainly play his part.
Discovery has always been a broadcaster that caters particularly well to viewers with distinctive interests, with channels such as Food Network and Home and Garden TV among those serving niche, but significant, audience sectors. Now, Henry Windridge, Discovery's head of brand for the Mena region, says quality children's programming is a key regional weapon in the fight to retain viewers in an increasingly crowded market. "Like in a lot of emerging markets, there's a big sense of parents from a poor background wanting their kids to be better educated and have a better life than them, so 'educational' programming is a big deal for us," he says.
In a region where children as young as seven have a mobile phone, according to Windridge, and with adults often feeling guilty about the amount of time they spend online themselves, parents worry about their children picking up bad habits, not to mention their concern over what their children might be watching on their phones. Windridge says that is where a trusted traditional broadcaster can help. "Research shows that when kids are looking for stuff to watch on YouTube, they're usually looking for shows they could find on TV – Peppa Pig and things like that. But if you leave a kid searching YouTube for content, you have no idea what kinds of things they might find," he says. "We're not advocating using screens as a babysitter, but inevitably there may be times when a child is left alone with a screen. If they're in front of a TV, at least you know they're safe from some of the worrying content they could find online."
Discovery's strategy doesn't solely revolve around children's TV, though. Its channels frequently serve as a form of "edutainment" for adults with shows such as Mythbusters and How Do They Do It? alongside documentaries and other factual content.
Windridge says targeting such niche markets further is very much on the Discovery agenda. "Pay TV is a contracting market, so what we have to ask is what can we offer that is unique and will draw subscribers to us, faced with evermore competition? We're doubling down on a strategy of acquiring superfan content," he says. "For example, we've bought Golf TV. We're buying up rights to the PGA golf as they become available across the world, and we've also bought Golf Digest, the magazine, from Conde Nast. The magazine will carry on as before, but we'll have access to their video library of interviews and features, too."
The plan is to become the go-to viewing platform for golf fans. "Golf TV is basically Dkids for adults. If you're a golf superfan then that's the one product you need," Windridge says. "We're also doing similar things around cycling and food. Our motto is 'power people's passions'."
But targeting underserved markets and driving viewers to traditional TV is only one tactic, and it doesn't mean that Discovery is oblivious to the digital developments taking place around its traditional TV channels. "Digital content is growing in importance," Windridge says. "Currently, we're focused on linear here in the Middle East, but in Latin America [Dkids is among the most-watched Pay TV channel in Brazil] we've launched a Dkids app. We call it a 'garden app' that you can open for your kids and they have a safe garden to play in."
Windridge says he expects the Dkids app to launch here in the future, and the company also plans to release an as-yet unnamed global Discovery app – the company has bought global rights (outside the UK and China) to the BBC's natural history library, which will sit alongside its own extensive library of content. Its Eurosport channel already has a popular digital player.
He also points to social media as an area in which his organisation is increasing its digital footprint and cites Dubai-based Arabic food channel Fatafeat as a particularly good example. "We make more than 350 hours a year of original content for the TV channel, but there's also a wealth of fresh content going on to Fatafeat's digital platforms," he says. "We get real-time feedback there, too. We can see what people like and don't like and immediately make more or less of it for Instagram. Fatafeat has passed one million followers on Instagram, and currently picks up about 3,000 new followers a day."
Fatafeat has also served as a good lesson in how different cultures demand different things from similar content. "When we started with the Food Network 20 years or so ago, we went out to make entertainment through food, which I don't think anyone thought was possible back then," he says. "With Fatafeat, people still want to learn, and they still want to be entertained, but a lot depends on the platform. On Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube, it's really fun and lighthearted, but on TV, people really want to learn how to cook the best food for their iftar or whatever. You have to be sure the content matches what audiences want from different screens."
It seems noteworthy that a conversation that began with a discussion about how carefully chosen content can drive viewers to traditional TV in the face of digital competition has come to a point where Windridge is discussing Discovery's successes with apps and social media. I ask whether, in reality, Discovery is simply keeping its linear services afloat while it prepares for the inevitable death of traditional TV in the cable-cutting era. "I really don't think so. Our global distribution partners [OSN in this region] are still our biggest strength," he says. "The majority of our revenue and our eyeballs still comes from them, but the future is changing fast and you need to be ready to pivot."
He insists the numbers are quite encouraging. "TV viewing isn't actually going down, it's pretty settled," he says. "We went through a period of rapid change, but if you look at the numbers for a platform such as Netflix now, they've kind of settled, too. They've not stalled, but are just kind of idling. It's more of a level playing field now, but we need to be playing on all the fields that everyone else is, too."
Rather than envisaging the death of traditional TV providers, Windridge says he foresees an even busier time ahead for Discovery and its ilk. "I think the future will be like how supermarkets have a luxury brand, a mid-range and a budget brand," he says. "We'll need a version that comes through a huge distributor direct to your TV like we have at present, a direct-to-consumer version such as an app, and probably a social media version. But I'm certain that people will want a big TV in their house for a long time to come, and that the content they'll require from it will be different to what they demand from an app or from Instagram."
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
MATCH INFO
Aston Villa 1 (Konsa 63')
Sheffield United 0
Red card: Jon Egan (Sheffield United)
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
The years Ramadan fell in May
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
John%20Wick%3A%20Chapter%204
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
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Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
Huddersfield Town permanent signings:
- Steve Mounie (striker): signed from Montpellier for £11 million
- Tom Ince (winger): signed from Derby County for £7.7m
- Aaron Mooy (midfielder): signed from Manchester City for £7.7m
- Laurent Depoitre (striker): signed from Porto for £3.4m
- Scott Malone (defender): signed from Fulham for £3.3m
- Zanka (defender): signed from Copenhagen for £2.3m
- Elias Kachunga (winger): signed for Ingolstadt for £1.1m
- Danny WIlliams (midfielder): signed from Reading on a free transfer
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
