FAST in MENA - February 2023
The Streaming Lab #39
Hey streamers 👋
Welcome to the 39th edition of The Streaming Lab. Thanks for reading me!
You can read all the previous editions here, and subscribe below to get the newsletter every Monday.
The agenda today
Welcome to the second FAST in MENA update of the year. And it comes with new services and channels, what more can you ask for?
What’s new?
The FAST channels in MENA
What’s next?
What’s new?
Weyyak, the online AVOD platform from Zee Entertainment, just announced new FAST channels in partnership with OTTera MENA, a joint venture between the US tech company OTTera and Dubai based SAWA rights Management.
The new FAST channels available on Weyyak:
AfroKiddos
AFROLAND TV
Boonie Cubs TV
Cooking Panda
Deluxe Lounge HD
Eddies Wonderland
just.classical
MMA-TV
Party Tyme Karaoke
Space Channel
TG Junior
Toon Goggles
We also welcome to the region a new advertising-based streaming service: Dreamax. The pure player offers an interesting selection of movies, TV series and linear content, all available for free.
Dreamax content offering already includes 4 FAST channels:
Escape TV
Encore+
Mercury+
Kiddo+
Do you want to report any new FAST channels in MENA? Answer this email and let The Streaming Lab community know.
The FAST channels in MENA
Here’s the updated number of FAST channels available on MENA services. As a reminder, I consider a FAST channel any streaming linear programming available for free to consumers, with commercials.
My main observations:
Shahid keeps adding single-series FAST channels, focused on singular TV series like Al Kabeer Awi & Bab Al Hara. With already 50 free Live TV channels, the streaming service of MBC is already leading the FAST race in MENA.
Weyyak is the first platform of the region to partner with a FAST channel provider. OTTera MENA brings them new FAST channels that address very diverse and specific genres: Toon Goggles, AFROLAND TV, Outdoor America, WHACKED TV, MMA TV & for the first time in the region Smurf Tv.
Dreamax is a new AVOD pure player available in the MENA region, offering an interesting alternative to the existing services in terms of content and platform. I will definitely have a closer look in my next articles.
Nothing to report coming from the other services.
What’s next?
I don’t know how the FAST model will evolve in MENA, but I’ll keep tracking it. The questions I have right now:
Is Shahid going to distribute FAST channels coming from third-party providers?
Is Weyyak open to receive FAST channels from other FAST providers?
Can we expect major local SVOD services to pivot to hybrid models: AVOD + SVOD or Ad-supported SVOD?
When should we see the first international FAST platform available in MENA?
Are Samsung and the other manufacturers aware of the massive opportunity in the region?
What are your questions?
That’s all for today, the state of FAST in MENA in February 2023.
See you online next week. Until then, enjoy The Goonies on Dreamax. A young teenager named Mikey Walsh finds an old treasure map in his father’s attic. Hoping to save their homes from demolition, Mikey and his friends Data Wang, Chunk Cohen, and Mouth Devereaux run off on a big quest to find the secret stash of Pirate One-Eyed Willie.
Whenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways I can help you with:
If you want to learn more about streaming in MENA, I’d recommend starting with my market report:
→ The Streaming Ecosystem in MENA: Learn everything about the local streaming services in the region. Get full access here.
Work with me 1:1 to diversify your streaming revenues: FAST channel business, OTT/CTV Advertising, Content acquisition & distribution, Market analysis and business representation.