Special Features
Gulf News
Gulf News was first launched in tabloid format on September 30, 1978.It was founded by UAE businessman Abdullah Abulhoul; its offices were located on the Airport Road, Dubai.
The newspaper circulation was approximately 3,000 copies daily, six days a week. The format was changed from tabloid to broadsheet size on January 1, 1980 and publication became seven days a week.
A weekly lifestyle magazine titled Al Jum’a was first published on July 4, 1980.
A magazine for younger readers titled Junior News was started on September 1979 and was discontinued in December 1985.
It was during these years that the ownership of Gulf News changed hands.
In November 1984, three leading UAE businessmen purchased the company and formed Al Nisr Publishing. Its directors were Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, managing director, Abdullah Al Rostamani, director, and Juma Al Majid, director.
With the death of Abdullah Al Rostamani in 2006, his position on the board is held by a family nominee, the other directors remain.
Under the new management, Gulf News was re-launched on December 10, 1985 initially as a free issue and distribution.
From February 8, 1986, the public was charged one dirham (US 27 cents) a copy for the Gulf News package comprising the broadsheet newspaper and a leisure section with classified advertisements titled Tabloid.
Gulf News built new premises during 1985. The first issue of Gulf News printed and published at the new premises was on January 10, 1986. All departments moved to the new premises on January 30, 1986.
The Junior News magazine was relaunched on October 2, 1986. Al Jum’a was replaced by Gulf Weekly magazine, which covered political and social revues, started distribution on November 7, 1986.
Apart from the UAE, Gulf News is distributed to other GCC countries: Bahrain from September 27, 1987; Oman from April 3,1989; Saudi Arabia from March 29, 1989; and Qatar from April 1, 1989. It was available in Pakistan from August 14, 1988.
Gulf News started a Special Report section on December 20, 1988 to give readers more extensive investigative local reports, thereby setting a new trend in reporting in the region. Subsequently this popular report has changed its design format and expanded into other sections of the newspaper.
On July 1, 1990 Gulf News received the Asia-Pacific Award for Best Newspaper Production for 1989. A separate tabloid-size classifieds advertisements section of Gulf News, entitled Classifieds, started on December 15, 1990.
Gulf News introduced a redesigned Business and Sport section which was printed as a separate section from the main broadsheet pages. It was introduced on October 1, 1992.
On January 1, 1995 the cover price of Gulf News increased to two dirhams (US 54 cents). A broadsheet style classified Appointment section was introduced on May 22, 1995.
To give better local coverage for its readers, Gulf News opened various bureaux around the emirates, GCC Countries and the subcontinent. The Abu Dhabi bureau was opened in 1982; Bahrain bureau in January 1988; Oman office in 1989; Manila bureau in August 1990; Al Ain office in 1994; Sharjah office in May, 1995; New Delhi bureau in November 1995.
On November 30, 1995 the size of Gulf News was changed, the width of of its broadsheet pages were reduced by four centimetres, to create the new international size of 38 centimetres.
The first Web Edition of Gulf News was launched on September 1, 1996.
Junior News ceased publication on October 2, 1996 and was replaced with U magazine, aimed at the teenager market. It was launched on October 15, 1996 and ceased publication in July 01, 2000.
Al Nisr Publishing become Limited Liability Company (LLC) with a share capital of Dh15 million on May 26, 1997.
Gulf Weekly magazine ceased publication in 1997 and was replaced with Friday magazine on May 16, 1997.
From March, 2000 the cover price was changed for the Friday edition. While the Sat
Website: http://www.gulfnews.com
