The decision was taken following a conservative backlash against a circus featuring women wearing figure-hugging costumes. SCREENGRAB
"Ahmad al Khatib, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority has been removed from his position," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) tweeted, without giving a reason.
However, the pro-government Sabq news website reported that the decision was taken following a conservative backlash against a circus featuring women wearing figure-hugging costumes.
A female performer in a pink leotard, and another on a trapeze similarly dressed can be seen in a video circulating on social media, drawing outrage from conservatives in the kingdom.
Khatib's sacking comes in the midst of Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman's far-reaching reforms that have ended decades long bans on women driving and cinemas and allowed mixed-gender concerts, despite the risk of a backlash from hardliners.
In February, Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority announced it would stage more than 5,000 festivals and concerts in 2018, double the number of last year, and pump $64 billion in the sector in the coming decade.
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The reform stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from an oil slump since 2014.
Saudis currently splurge billions of dollars annually to see films and visit amusement parks in neighbouring tourist hubs like Dubai and Bahrain.
SCREENGRABMonday's development follows a major cabinet reshuffle earlier this month that saw a heavy focus on culture and religion, as the kingdom undergoes a major image overhaul.
This was the second significant government change since the appointment of Prince Mohammed, son of the king, as heir to the region's most powerful throne.
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