Top Middle East broadcaster MBC Group has forged a groundbreaking partnership with Netflix under which the U.S. streaming giant will play alongside its Shahid streamer on MBC’s recently launched MBCNOW entertainment content aggregator.
The newly created bundle will combine Netflix and Shahid in addition to MBC’s linear TV channels, under one single subscription.
This first-of-this-kind partnership for Netflix in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) follows similar carriage deals recently struck between major TV networks in Europe and streaming services, starting with Netflix and French broadcaster TF1 and followed by Prime Video and France Televisions, which is another French broadcaster, and by Disney+ and Britain’s ITV in the U.K.
As of December 2024 Shahid – which is the MENA region’s top streamer – had 4.4 million subscribers, while Netflix had 3 million subs, according to the most recent figures from global analyst Omdia.
“This groundbreaking partnership is one for the books,” said Fadel Zahreddine, group director of emerging media at MBC GROUP is a statement. “To have two streaming giants – Shahid and Netflix – come together under one platform is something never seen before in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and wider MENA, and we’re very excited for what’s to come,” the executive added.
“This is definitely the future of streaming and content consumption,” noted Bhanu Chaddha, MBC Group’s director of distribution and TV products.
Commented Mohammed Al Kuraishi, head of business development and partnerships, Middle East and Africa at Netflix: “We’re thrilled to have MBC Group join forces with Netflix to bring its content to our audiences under the convenience of a single subscription.”
The MBC/Netflix bundle combines Shahid’s vast library of Arabic TV shows, films, and documentaries – including a substantial number of original productions – along with Netflix’s full catalogue. The bundle will give customers “a saving of more than or 21% compared to individual subscriptions,” according to the statement.
Streaming is booming across the MENA region, where the OTT subscription video market, led by MBC’s Shahid, generated revenues estimated at $1.2 billion in 2024, according to Omdia, which projects continued MENA market growth.
The Saudi government owns a 60% stake in MBC while the rest is held by MBC Group chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim, who founded the pan-Arab broadcaster.