⚽ beIN Stream: A New Way to Watch Sports in UAE
A streaming device unlocking Champions League, F1 & more | Streaming in Short – W38
This week, I cover beIN Media Group launching beIN Stream in the UAE, WATCH IT rolling out 8 FAST channels on Samsung TV+, and a new study showing how TV adaptations of video games are creating millions of new players.
⚽ beIN Stream Brings Sports & Movies to Any TV
👉 A new streaming device and subscription that makes it easy to watch sports and entertainment at home.
📍 With beIN Stream you get:
Live and on-demand beIN SPORTS (Champions League, Tennis, F1).
Movies and premium entertainment channels.
Free access to the beIN Connect app to watch on any device.
💡 Available now at beIN shops, Amazon.ae, Virgin Megastores, and Noon. A simple way for beIN to bring more people into streaming in UAE.
📺 WATCH IT Joins Samsung TV+ with 8 FAST Channels
👉 WATCH IT is now available on Samsung TV+ for free, with eight dedicated FAST channels.
📍 What viewers get:
Egyptian series and drama.
Classic hits and family favorites.
Kids’ entertainment and more.
💡 Samsung TV users can now enjoy WATCH IT content without a subscription. This move helps the Egyptian platform reach a wider audience and makes Egyptian and regional shows easier to watch on smart TVs.
🎮 TV Brings Millions of New Players to Gaming Franchises
What happened?
👉 A new study from Ampere Analysis shows that TV adaptations of video games massively boost player numbers, far more than DLCs or remasters.
Key details:
On average, game adaptations increase players by +140%. For TV shows, it jumps to +203%.
Fallout on Prime Video grew the game’s monthly players by +490%, 80% were new to the franchise.
The Last of Us on HBO added more than 4 million new players, increasing engagement by +150%.
Movies also help, but less: Minecraft: The Movie still drove a +30% player growth, a big number given its already huge fanbase.
Why it matters?
🎯 TV and film adaptations are becoming “superchargers” for gaming IP. They pull in new players, revive old ones, and give studios a ready-made fan base. Expect even bigger crossovers with Call of Duty, Life is Strange, and more on the way.
🤝 AI: Luma AI x Adobe Partner on New Video Model
Luma AI has joined forces with Adobe to launch Ray3, a new generative video tool now available in Adobe Firefly. Paid Firefly users get unlimited access for two weeks, after which pricing will apply.
The model produces short, realistic AI videos with more detail and control, aiming to rival Google Veo and Runway AI in the race to reshape video production.
🌏 HBO Max Expands to 14 Asia-Pacific Markets
Warner Bros. Discovery will launch HBO Max on October 15 in 14 new markets including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The rollout also highlights the upcoming premiere of IT: Welcome to Derry, a prequel to Stephen King’s horror universe. With a refreshed interface, parental controls, and offline downloads, HBO Max aims to strengthen its global push, reaching more than 100 markets by the end of 2025.
🎤 PRODUCTION: The Voice Filmed in Jordan for the First Time
Roya Media Group’s The Show Services is producing The Voice and The Voice Kids in Jordan for MBC Group, the first time the global talent show is filmed in the country.
This will be one of the biggest TV productions ever hosted in Jordan and highlights the country’s growing role in large-scale entertainment projects.
📺 CTV: Whale TV x ThePubverse Sign Exclusive MENA Ad Deal
ThePubverse, part of ArabyAds, will exclusively manage Whale TV’s ad inventory in the GCC and Egypt, unlocking premium Connected TV audiences across 400+ global TV brands.
For advertisers, it means larger scale, smarter placements, and brand-safe access to MENA households, a sign of the region’s fast-maturing CTV market.
🎥 CREATORS: YouTube Opens First MENA Creator Academy in Dubai
YouTube is partnering with Creators HQ to launch the region’s first Creator Academy, offering training, workshops, and expert support to emerging digital storytellers.
The move shows the rapid growth of YouTube creators in MENA, with UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt seeing sharp increases in top-earning channels.
🇰🇷 BUSAN: Star Power Opens 30th Edition
The Busan International Film Festival kicked off its 30th anniversary with a red carpet featuring Blackpink’s Lisa, KPop Demon Hunters director Maggie Kang, Guillermo del Toro, and Korean star Lee Byung-hun, who co-hosted the ceremony.
A new international jury led by Na Hong-jin confirmed Busan’s growing global ambition.
🇫🇷 MIPCOM: Creator Economy Takes Centre Stage
The new MIP Creative Hub on Cannes’ beachfront will spotlight the Creator Economy with dedicated sessions on viral trends, digital-first studios, sports & live events, and how UGC can scale into global IP.
Highlights include the Digital Creators Upfronts, showcasing talent redefining formats and storytelling for global buyers.
🦹 GEN V season 2, from Craig Rosenberg, Evan Goldberg and Erik Kripke (Prime Video, 3 episodes): As America adjusts to Homelander’s reign at Godolkin University the new Dean preaches a course to make students more powerful than ever. Cate and Sam are heroes, while Marie, Jordan, and Emma return to class, after months of trauma.
🎙️ The Morning Show season 4, from Jay Carson (Apple TV+, 2 episodes): In spring 2024, almost two years after the events of season three and with the UBA-NBN merger complete, the newsroom must grapple with newfound responsibility, hidden motives and the elusive nature of truth in a polarized America.
🧪 17 years ago, The Big Bang Theory premiered on CBS. Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, the sitcom introduced audiences to Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard, and Raj, a quirky group of scientists and their neighbor navigating life, love, and nerd culture in Pasadena. Known for its sharp humor, catchphrases, and pop-culture references, the series became one of television’s biggest comedy hits, running for 12 seasons and leaving a lasting mark on modern sitcoms.
🧪 Fresh from The Lab:
Thanks for reading, enjoy your weekend! I’ll be back Monday with my MENA insights.
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