The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has signed a partnership agreement with Al Arabiya channel to bethe media partner for the 34th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) for the second consecutive year. Al Arabiya, and its subsidiary “Al Hadath” news channel, will broadcast coverage of the SIBF, taking place from November 4-14 at the Sharjah Expo Centre,and promote its events and activities through its various social media channels.The agreement ensures enhanced media coverage for the SIBF through the news channel’s large audience base. The Satellite Channel will also set up a studio at the event to broadcast live and prerecorded reports, and host TV interviews with SIBF’s high profile guests and celebrity participants, in order to provide Al Arabiya’s viewers across the world with coverage of SIBF's events.HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA and Director of the SIBF, said, “We are pleased to have renewed our media partnership with Al Arabiya channel, which is one of the leading and most viewed news networksamong Arab viewers across the world. We look forward to increasing the amount of media exposure the fair receives, in addition to increasing the level of literary content broadcast by the TV channel and its social media platforms”.
Al Amerisaid that Al Arabiya’s coverage for last year’s edition of the SIBF received positive feedback everywhere the channel’s broadcast reached, which in turn increased the number of fans and followers interested in the fair and its activities. “This was evidenced by the growth seen in the number of followers on various social media platforms that followed reports broadcast by the news channel. We are very pleased with the high level of media coverage provided by Al Arabiya, andgrateful for all the hard work they put into covering the fair,” he said.Turki Al Dakhil, General Manager of Al Arabiya, said, “Al Arabiya is very interested in literary content in its broadcasts, website and social media channels. We are delighted to have renewed our media partnership with the Sharjah International Book Fair, which is considered one of the most important book fairs regionally and globally. This partnership is in line with our commitment to covering all occasions and events of interest to our viewers and followers”.
Al Dakhil added that the Sharjah International Book Fair has gone beyond the traditional role of a book exhibition and became a cultural and literary extravaganza that interests followers of all ages. “This is evidenced by SIBF’s varied programs and activities, which include seminars, symposia, poetry recitals, book signings, as well as theatrical shows. Coverage by Al Arabiya will be exceptional and will start before the launch date on November 4”, he added. The Sharjah international Book Fair, one of the three largest book fairs in the world, has attracted more than 1.4 million visitors during its last edition in 2014 which lasted for 11 days. More than 1500 publishing houses from all over the world will participate in this year’s edition, with more than 1.5 million titles on display. The books are available in more than 200 languages.