Rami Malek’s portrayal of the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody earned him the best actor award
streaming media
Maaz Sheikh
UAE’s StarzPlay eyes launch of 50 new shows in 2019
Subscription on-demand video service outlines plan to build on ‘record breaking’ growth last year
MBC Group
Dubai’s MBC plans digital focus as streaming competition hots up
Johannes Larcher joins MBC Group as managing director, Digital & VOD Websites to drive expansion
Anghami
Piracy is biggest challenge for music streaming in MENA, says Spotify
It will take time to convince consumers to switch to legal music streaming, according to Spotify
Claudius Boller
Spotify puts aside profitability to focus on growing MENA users
Spotify is also concentrating on educating artists on monetisation
Anghami
Opinion: Spotify’s entry into the region: does it really matter?
What is most likely to create longevity in the region’s music industry is not a powerful and affordable streaming platform, but a serious investment in A&R
FNG MENA
‘No death’ for traditional TV, says Fox after streaming service launch
Television networks will ‘reinvent’ themselves and co-exist with on-demand video streaming platforms, according to FOX MENA head Sanjay Raina
Fox Network
MBC’s Shahid Plus inks Fox deal as streaming competition hots up
Shahid Plus announces agreement with Fox Networks Group MENA to add Fox Plus streaming service to platform
Arabic content
Spotify launches in the Middle East and North Africa
A premium subscription costs AED19.99 per month in the UAE and SAR19.99 in Saudi Arabia
Amazon
Amazon Prime signs du deal as video on demand market soars
Dubai telco du says distribution agreement with Prime Video will offer customers greater choice in video content
live streaming
Dubai’s OSN adds 24 new live channels to streaming service
OSN says it is putting online streaming of content at the very heart of its digital strategy with the launch of 24 new live channels
Facebook
Facebook Watch will ensure ‘responsible’ user consumption
The global launch of the feature comes a month after the platform claimed it wants to help users limit their time spend on social media through management tools
Facebook Watch
Facebook Watch considers movies, but says it will not compete with streaming services
Similarly to steaming services, the on demand video feature offers users the chance to watch shows and videos by creators, celebrities and production houses
Dubai
Why streaming is the future of TV in the Middle East
Starz Play’s Maaz Sheikh wants to produce an original Arabic series that brings the region’s cultural tales to global audience
Dubai
Starzplay looks to become profitable by 2019, says CEO
Starzplay will introduce services into Pakistan later this month
Netflix
Video: The Netflix mantra: Shock, awe, amaze … and monetise?
Uninhibited by rising debt, Netflix is riding a tsunami of content from multiple regions in its push to stream to the world. By doing so it is introducing an audience of more than 125 million, growing at roughly six percent per quarter, to a literal world of content.
Netflix
The Netflix mantra: Shock, awe, amaze and monetise
Uninhibited by rising debt, Netflix is riding a tsunami of content in its push to stream to the world