In a surprising twist in the Middle East’s streaming landscape, Saudi media powerhouse MBC Group has forged a groundbreaking partnership with Netflix, uniting their forces under the banner of MBCNOW, MBC’s recently launched entertainment aggregator.
This innovative bundle combines Netflix’s global catalog, Shahid’s extensive Arabic-language content, and MBC’s 17 linear TV channels — offering a one-stop shop for diverse entertainment tastes across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This marks Netflix’s first-ever partnership of its kind in MENA, a region where competition is fierce and cultural nuance is king.
For Netflix, known for fiercely guarding its content in markets like the U.S. and Europe, this collaboration is nothing short of revolutionary. The streaming giant has historically shunned sharing its library with competitors, yet in MENA, it’s teaming up with Shahid, the region’s leading streaming platform with 4.4 million subscribers compared to Netflix’s 3 million. This move signals a strategic pivot: rather than battling Shahid for dominance, Netflix is joining forces to break through the region’s competitive ceiling and tap into new audiences. It’s a pragmatic acknowledgment that in the MENA market, collaboration trumps rivalry.
This isn’t the first time global streamers have opted for alliances over competition. In Europe, Prime Video partnered with France Télévisions, and Disney+ joined forces with the UK’s ITV, setting a precedent for bundling global and local content to win over audiences. For Netflix, aligning with Shahid — a platform renowned for its premium Arabic originals and deep cultural resonance — offers a shortcut to capturing the hearts of MENA viewers, particularly in key markets like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE.
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The MBCNOW bundle, already available in Saudi Arabia with plans for a broader MENA rollout, promises significant savings compared to individual subscriptions, making it a compelling deal for consumers.
By blending Netflix’s international hits with Shahid’s acclaimed Arabic dramas and MBC’s diverse TV channels, the partnership caters to the region’s young, mobile-savvy audience, where mobile streaming dominates.
This alliance reflects a savvy business move—why fight a giant when you can join forces and reshape the future of streaming in MENA? Netflix and Shahid, once rivals, are now brothers in arms, ready to dominate the region’s entertainment scene together.
