1001's Strategic Alliances: A New Era in Iraqi Streaming
1001's Strategic Alliances: A New Era in Iraqi Streaming
Unpacking the key collaborations of 1001 in 2024
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Today’s program
Today, I’m taking a closer look at the strategic alliances of 1001 in MENA and Iraq.
Do you really know 1001?
The key partnerships in 2024
So What?
And… Action!
Do you really know 1001?
1001 is an Arabic-language streaming service supported by Iraq's media and television group, Al Sharqiya.
Launched in March 2023 as a pure AVOD service, 1001 attracted over 1 million users within its first three weeks. A year later, that number doubled, with a user base of more than 2 million.
1001 introduced its SVOD model in February of 2024. This new offering complements the existing AVOD service by providing consumers with ad-free access to premium content. in Iraq, it also offers exclusive content from major local partners, which I will discuss later in this article.
If you subscribe to 1001 from the UAE, you have access to a unique package priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 annually.
For comparison, here are the entry-level packages from other local platforms.
Shahid VIP: 39.99 AED/month ($10.89)
Starzplay Entertainment: 29.99 AED/month ($8.17)
OSN Plus - Standard: 39.99 AED/month ($10.89)
Watchit Premium (No Ads): 9.99 USD/month
As you can see, 1001's SVOD package remains more affordable than the other local SVOD services in the region.
Here are some screenshots from the service so you can better understand what they offer.
The key partnerships in 2024
Simultaneously with 1001's transition to a hybrid business model, combining AVOD and SVOD, the platform unveiled key partnerships:
OSN+
STARZPLAY
ROTANA
SUPERCELL
TOD
Let's have a look at each of these collaborations to better understand the strategy of this Iraqi streaming player ↓
OSN+
In February, 1001 announced its first partnership of the year with OSN+.
The entire OSN+ content library is now available to 1001's premium subscribers in Iraq, as part of their ad-free premium streaming experience.
STARZPLAY
That same month, 1001 also announced a second partnership with STARZPLAY.
The objective is to offer 1001 subscribers access to blockbuster movies, acclaimed series, exclusive originals, and anime, and improve the streaming experience in Iraq.
ROTANA
In March, 1001 entered into a partnership with Rotana.
The goal is similar to the collaborations with OSN+ and STARZPLAY: to integrate Rotana’s extensive library of premium content.
This partnership appears to extend beyond Iraq, as I noticed a “Best of Rotana” carousel featured on 1001 when accessed from the UAE. This carousel includes premium Arabic series such as Ahmad Notirdam, Hamlat Feraizar, Al Badlah, Al Khaleya, Qalb Omo, Bolbol Hayran, and more.
SUPERCELL
This collaboration with the internet service provider Supercell focuses on distribution rather than content.
The goal here is to offer premium content to an external partner, allowing their subscribers to access it as part of their digital ecosystem.
TOD
The final partnership, announced just a few days ago, is with the streaming service of beIN Media Group: TOD
This collaboration gives 1001 exclusive distribution rights for TOD packages in Iraq, including TOD Mobile, TOD, and TOD 4K packages, which are available as bundled add-ons.
I'm confident this partnership will significantly improve the platform’s reach and audience engagement in Iraq.
So what?
I understand the decision behind 1001’s decision to adopt a hybrid model: offering a premium, ad-free experience while establishing a more sustainable long-term revenue stream through recurring monthly subscriptions.
The partnerships with OSN+, STARZPLAY, Rotana, and TOD will also help 1001 in attracting new SVOD subscribers by providing a richer selection of premium content.
However, this raises a question: what’s in it for the partners?
Rotana has a clear distribution strategy, so it makes sense for them to collaborate with several partners to increase the reach of their content.
But what’s the benefit for OSN+, STARZPLAY, and TOD?
The answer is straightforward: 1001 has succeeded in building something invaluable - a local audience.
In the world of streaming, most platforms focus on 3 key markets: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
However, I’m convinced that the true strength of the MENA region lies in its diversity, with potential across all territories.
The challenge is reaching the audience. And yes, it’s a costly one, that requires localized content and tailored marketing strategies.
1001 has succeeded in Iraq for several reasons: it is backed by Al Sharqiya Group, granting it access to one of the largest collections of Iraqi content. The service was also offered for free for a year, helping it reach over 2 million subscribers. Additionally, they launched the service with support from a solid platform provider, Brightcove.
All these platforms also share a common goal: reducing piracy. And one effective approach is through collaboration.
I’d love to see another 1001 emerge from countries like Morocco, Oman, Algeria, or Kuwait. Now more than ever, we need ultra-local champions to support the streaming ecosystem in MENA!
What’s next for 1001?
I’m sure 1001 won’t stop there.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see them enter the world of FAST, either by offering free channels on their platform or by creating a channel that could be distributed across other platforms in the region.
I also anticipate that they’ll expand their production of original Iraqi movies and TV series, with the potential to distribute these to other platforms across the region.
Got any thoughts? Shoot me an email and let me know!
That’s all for today, the strategic alliances of the Iraqi streaming service 1001 in 2024. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please consider sharing it with your friends and colleagues!
I hope everyone has a great week, see you online next Monday. Until then, enjoy Bad Monkey on Apple TV+. A former Miami Police Department member turned health inspector, Andrew Yancy, investigates a case involving a human arm.
The Streaming Lab is a weekly newsletter exploring the trends that matter to streaming professionals in the MENA region. If you are not already a subscriber, sign up and receive it directly in your inbox every Monday.
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