Report Forecasts Gains in Mideast Ad Revenues

BAHRAIN: Annual advertising revenues in the Gulf states are on track to top $10 billion for the first time ever, according to the Pan Arab Research Centre (PARC), with first-half revenues reaching $5.05 billion, up 20 percent on last year.

The Arab Gulf states’ pan-regional advertising—predominantly on satellite channels—gained 34 percent to $2.86 billion. The region’s gains were led by Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The UAE was the only country to record a decrease, however, the market still takes the largest share of the region’s ad revenues, at 31 percent. This is followed by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. Other Mideast markets showed growth, including Egypt (36 percent), Lebanon (19 percent) and Jordan (9 percent.).

Television advertising alone posted a 39-percent increase in the Gulf states to reach $3.48 billion, taking a 57-percent share of the overall GCC market.