Saudi broadcaster MBC Group on Monday unveiled a landmark partnership that folds Netflix into its new MBCNOW platform, bundling the U.S. service with MBC’s Arabic SVOD Shahid and 17 free‑to‑air channels under one bill.
The Shahid + Netflix Pack, now on sale in Saudi retail outlets and online, offers about a 21 percent saving versus separate subscriptions and is scheduled to roll out across the Gulf “after the summer.”
“This is something never seen before in MENA,” said Fadel Zahreddine, MBC’s director of emerging media, while Bhanu Chaddha, head of distribution, called the tie‑up “the future of streaming and content consumption.”
Netflix executive Mohammed Al Kuraishi added that the deal would give regional viewers “easy access to an incredible variety of international and Arabic shows, movies, documentaries and games.”
Launched in February, MBCNOW was designed to knit together live channels and on‑demand libraries, bridging traditional broadcast television with digital viewing habits.
The agreement is Netflix’s first co‑bundle with a direct regional rival, a move analysts say reflects a broader shift toward “ecosystem bundling” aimed at keeping households inside one payment relationship.
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Market data explain the allure: as of December 2024 Shahid led the Middle East and North Africa with 4.4 million paying customers, compared with Netflix’s three million.
Across Europe, the Middle East and Africa the U.S. company now serves roughly 101 million subscribers—its largest regional audience and already ahead of North America.
Omdia projects the MENA streaming economy will top US $1.5 billion this year, leaving headroom for both global titans and local leaders even as newcomers such as YouTube Premium, Prime Video and Disney+ intensify competition.
