FAST in MENA Series - April 2024
Are We There Yet?, ducktv, Ghost Hunters, Love Pets, Cocomelon, Homeful, Roya TV, Naturetime, STARZ ON Foodies, Love Drama, Wedo big stories
Hey streamers 👋
Welcome to my “FAST in MENA Series”, monthly articles exploring the local FAST platforms across Middle East & North Africa. Stay tuned for the most recent FAST channels updates and trend analysis, delivered directly to your inbox on the last Monday of every month.
Today’s program
Do you know all the channels that launched in the MENA region in April?
Recent updates and trends in MENA FAST
New FAST channel launches
Spotlight channel: “Homeful” on Samsung TV Plus (US)
And… Action!
Recent updates and trends in MENA FAST
At last! After 3 months, the number of FAST channels on local platforms across the MENA region has increased again. Almost half of the platforms lineups are growing: Shahid has added 4 channels, STARZ ON has increased by 6, Weyyak has gained 1 and Tarfeeh TV has expanded by 7.
Shahid did not introduce any new FAST channels but published again channels that had been available a few months ago.
The FAST lineup on STARZ ON keeps growing with different types of channels such as single IP, local news, Entertainment and children's programming.
Weyyak added another kids channel dedicated to preschoolers
Tarfeeh TV topped the list this month for adding the most FAST channels, with a mix of local and international channels.
Here is my updated chart showing the number of FAST channels on local platforms from January 2023 to April 2024. There's a more positive trend now compared to the past 3 months. STARZ ON continues to offer the highest number of channels, followed by Shahid and Roya TV.
New FAST channel launches
Here’s the updated number of FAST channels available on MENA local platforms in April 2024. As a reminder, I consider a FAST channel any streaming linear programming available for free to consumers, with commercials.
What are the new FAST channels that launched this month?
STARZ ON
In April, STARZ ON added 5 new channels to its FAST lineup:
Are We There Yet?: The sitcom revolves around the Kingston-Person family facing the challenges of everyday life in a newly blended family and working to adapt to their new family dynamics.
Ghost Hunters: Ghost Hunters follows real-life researchers as they encounter every type of imaginable haunting.
STARZ ON Cocomelon: Starz On Cocomelon channel features all your favourite characters. Cocomelon, Blippi, Morphle and many more.
Roya TV: A Jordanian TV channel that communicates with the community through a program session that addresses youth and the entire family, to be the first choice for information and entertainment programs.
STARZ ON Foodies: Explore mouth-watering recipes with StarzOn Foodiez.
Weyyak
ducktv: Television for Absolute Beginners - a great selection of animations and mini-cartoons for kids from 6 months to 4-year-old.
Tarfeeh TV
The service operated by OTTera & Sawa Media added 7 new channels
Love Pets: Heartfelt stories about the animals in our lives, big and small, and the devoted people who care for them
Homeful: Some of the most well-decorated faces in home design TV
Naturetime: Compelling stories about wildlife that bring the most intricate wonders of nature to light.
ducktv: television for absolute beginners, is an original animated channel for children.
Love Drama
Wedo big stories: Nature and science documentaries and outdoor/adventure lifestyle programming
Spotlight channel: “Homeful” on Samsung TV Plus (US)
Every month, I analyze the detailed lineup of a specific FAST channel. Let's take a closer look today at the channel Homeful in the US.
This lifestyle free streaming channel was launched in 2022 on XUMO, by Blue Ant Media. Homeful features some of the most well-decorated faces in home design TV, giving audiences a programming lineup stacked with real estate, renovations and transformations.
Let's break down 24 hours of its programming:
Monday, April 15, 2024
12:00 am - Disaster Deck: The Deck Jess Hates
12:28 am - Disaster Deck: The Deck Melene Hates
12:54 am - Disaster Deck: The Deck Carolyn Hates
01:21 am - Disaster Deck: The Deck Stephanie Hates
01:47 am - Holmes on Homes: Additional Grief
02:15 am - Holmes on Homes: Soggy Sorority
02:42 am - Holmes Inspection: Rain Against the Deck
03:35 am - Holmes Inspection: Bigger Bungle
04:27 am - Holmes Makes It Right: If the Shoe Fits
05:19 am - Holmes on Homes: Falling Flat
06:13 am - Best of Holmes on Homes: The Great Outdoors
07:05 am - Best of Holmes on Homes: Kitchen En-counters
08:00 am - Holmes on Homes: Roof Goof
08:26 am - Holmes on Homes: Floor Fiasco
08:53 am - Holmes on Homes: Doozy Jacuzzi
09:20 am - Holmes on Homes: Jacking the Box
09:46 am - The Great House Giveaway: Hull
10:42 am - The Great House Giveaway: Bangor
11:37 am - Brojects: Ultimate Swim Raft
12:04 am - Brojects: The Chair Ski
12:32 pm - Brojects: Ultimate Pizza Oven
12:59 pm - Brojects: Ultimate Outdoor Theatre
01:26 pm - Custom Built: The Hunter Yoga Kitchen
01:53 pm - Holmes Makes It Right: Starting Again
02:47 pm - Holmes Makes It Right: Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
03:41 pm - Derelict Rescue: Welsh Luxury Barn
04:34 pm - Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms with Mark Millar: Walthamstow & Huddersfield
05:27 pm - Nottinghamshire & West Midlands: Nottinghamshire & West Midlands
06:20 pm - Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms with Mark Millar: Dorset
07:14 pm - Custom Built: The Swivel Television Room
07:40 pm - Custom Built: The Surf’n’ Sport Basement
08:07 pm - Holmes on Homes: Roof Good
08:33 pm - Holmes on Homes: Floor Fiasco
08:59 pm - Holmes on Homes: Doozy Jacuzzi
09:26 pm - Holmes on Homes: Jacking the Box
09:53 pm - The Great House Giveaway: Hull
10:48 pm - The Great House Giveaway: Bangor
11:43 pm - Brojects: Ultimate Swim Raft
Would you watch this channel?
That’s all for today, the state of FAST in MENA in April 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 City Hunter on Netflix. Do you remember Nicky Larson in French?
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