The likes of Netflix, StarzPlay, Amazon Prime and OSN are locked in a battle to gain or retain market share. New technology and changing users habits mean that everything is up for grabs as the production and delivery of content rapidly evolves.
StarzPlay
Abu Dhabi
UAE continues to drive the Arab world’s tech ambitions
Opinion: Home to well over a third of the region’s start-ups, the UAE is keen to hone to its entrepreneurial credentials, says Yigal Chazan is the head of Content at business intelligence consultancy Alaco
Dr Saleh Al Hashemi
Video: 5 reasons why the UAE economy is set to grow
It’s important to separate the chatter from the actual statistics when it comes to the UAE’s economic health. And some new data points – on business licenses, company hiring plans and non-oil sector growth – seem to suggest the same thing: the numbers are on an upward curve.
Dubai
Starzplay looks to become profitable by 2019, says CEO
Starzplay will introduce services into Pakistan later this month
broadcast
Netflix, Starzplay and Wavo to face new Mideast competitor
Fox’s regional chief says success in South East Asia tests leave it optimistic about a similar product in the Middle East
Maaz Sheikh
StarzPlay revenue doubles every six months for last three years
The service is expected to launch in Pakistan this year
Arabic series
What TV shows to watch this Ramadan 2018
A line-up of new Arabic series featuring the likes of Haifa Wehbe, Sherine, Nadine Nassib Njeim, Abed Fahd and Ahmad Izz
Maaz Sheikh
StarzPlay to introduce seven Arabic shows during Ramadan
Karma’s Curse will feature Lebanese singer and actress Haifa Wehbe
Arabian Business StartUp
UAE confirmed as regional hub for digital start-ups
New report says MENA digital start-ups attracted $650m in funding in 2017, with 76% based in the UAE
Maaz Sheikh
Online streaming will never eliminate traditional TV, says StarzPlay CEO
Maaz Sheikh says some formats including news and sports will continue to be television attractions
Entertainment
MidEast’s video streaming market to grow 50% by 2020
Leading regional platform StarzPlay has twice the regional marketshare compared to global service Netflix
Amazon Prime
Video: Where does the growth of streaming leave traditional broadcasters?
In response to the entry of international players such as Netflix and Amazon Prime into the local market, OSN has launched its own on demand services, Play, Go and Wavo, adding to the digital offerings by the likes of Icflix and StarzPlay.