In the age of the internet celebrity, it’s only natural that some of Dubai’s television personalities are making their way over onto the web.
Currently in pre-production, a new broadcasting platform titled Dubai on Demand is taking nine television hosts — many of them former Dubai One presenters — and giving them their own niche programmes on YouTube, starting next year. Between them, they will cover a range of topics including cookery, travel, fashion, beauty and fitness.
“We are primarily going to start as a YouTube channel,” said Reim Al Houni, managing director of Ti22 films, the production house that developed the channel. “We want to be as interactive as possible. So, you’ll notice over time that most of our shows involve the public interacting in some way, sending us user-generated content.”
Speaking at a press conference at Dubai International Film Festival on Monday, Al Houni and seven of the nine hosts emphasised their passion and the years of experience they bring to the table. Comedian Nitin Mirani and fitness aficionado Faraz Javed, for instance, have been following their chosen topics for a decade.
But at a time when DIY (Do-It-Yourself) YouTube personalities are becoming younger and younger, one has to wonder whether the wealth of experience that the nine hosts boast will help or harm them. For many online viewers, the YouTube experience is about learning along with their favourite YouTubers and feeling a sense of companionship and camaraderie.
Al Houni said that the nine final shows came from around 40 brainstormed ideas, and that they will track viewership along the way.
“I think we all know that not every show is going to work, and some may work better than others. And I think because YouTube is transparent with views and subscribers and everything else, that we will make those calls. If shows aren’t working, then they’re not working. But, you know, that may give us the opportunity to try new shows,” said Al Houni.
Creators are aiming to launch Dubai on Demand in the first quarter of 2015. Once the channel launches, each of the different shows will be uploaded at a set time.
