A new survey by the Arab Advisers Group revealed that close to 89 percent of Arab households in Saudi Arabia have Satellite TVs. While the peak viewing time was found to be between 9 p.m. and midnight, a surprising finding was that some 54 percent of households continued to watch TV well past midnight, indicating a somewhat extended peak viewing time in Saudi Arabia. The morning period of 6 a.m. till noon was the least viewed period and naturally the survey revealed some differences in viewing patterns according to the age and gender of respondents. Close to 11 percent of Sat TV viewers in Saudi Arabia engaged in interactive voting in TV shows. Ninety percent of surveyed households indicated that they preferred to watch Sat TV programming in Arabic or with Arabic subtitles. Only 10 percent preferred the English language.
The survey, which was not commissioned by any single party or Sat TV station, stands out as an objective and reliable scientific insight by the Arab Advisers Group into the Sat TV and Radio landscape in Saudi Arabia. The survey covered individuals from different households in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Dhahran. To mirror the demographic situation fully, the sample corresponded to the age distribution of the Saudi population as well as gender distribution. The survey probed the brandname recognition of Sat TV channels in Saudi Arabia as well as the extent to which these channels were viewed.
New Manager forSaudi Symantec
Symantec has appointed Ali Jomaa as its business development manager at its Saudi Arabian headquarters. The appointment is seen as further evidence of Symantec’s on-going efforts to streamline its regional operations and restructure its business development department, by ensuring that resellers are able to access distribution and that a defined structure is in place that can compliment new and defined business needs.
“We are very happy to confirm the recent appointment of Ali Jomaa as Symantec Saudi business development manager. Jomaa is highly qualified to suit the significant responsibilities he is about to undertake. We are confident that we could not have found a better candidate for Saudi Symantec and we are certain that Jomaa will be an integral asset to the company as a whole,” said Kevin Isaac, regional director, Symantec Middle East and Africa.
Acer Computer Posts Record Sales
Acer Computer (ME) continues to take market share in the Middle East, with year-on-year growth in Saudi Arabia of 360.1 percent — making it the No. 1 supplier of notebooks in the Kingdom for a full 12-month period. Acer now accounts for almost one in four notebooks sold in the country.
In the UAE, Acer has continued to make gains, firmly establishing itself as the No. 2 vendor of notebooks, with growth of 558.8 percent from the third quarter of 2003 to the same period this year, according to international analysts IDC. The company has steadily been taking sales from HP and Fujitsu Siemens.
“Our strategy of supplying the most advanced technology at affordable prices is paying dividends,” said Krishna Murthy, GM, Acer Computer (ME) Ltd. “Consumers in Saudi Arabia clearly appreciate this approach and are reassured by the stability of Acer and our strong relations with local Saudi distributors.”
Acer sold 12,583 notebooks in Saudi Arabia during the third quarter of 2004, up from 2,735 in 2003, representing a 24.9 percent marketshare. Growth in the UAE was even higher, with 15,376 units being sold this Q3, up from 2,334, a yearly rise of 558.8 percent. Acer now accounts for 20.4 percent of the UAE notebook market.
When notebook and desktop PCs and servers are combined, Acer has 17.1 percent marketshare in the Kingdom, with year-on-year growth of 152.6 percent. In the UAE the company grew by 283.8 percent in a year, accounting for 18.8 percent of the market. In both countries, Acer is in a clear second position.
“In two of the region’s key markets, Acer is increasing its marketshare every quarter at the expense of our competitors,” remarked Murthy. “Our consistent effort in research and development has produced technology that is unique to this region and also sensibly priced.”
Globally, Acer has achieved another high for consolidated revenues. Following its record results in September, the company announced that October was the best month in its history, with consolidated revenues of $709.63 million, up 42.5 percent from the same month last year. During the first 10 months of this year, Acer achieved a consolidated revenue growth of 42.5 percent, equating to $3.6 billion.
In coming months, Acer will expand its product range further, with the introduction of digital cameras and LCD TVs to the Middle East.
