Streaming Synergies: The Power of Cross Content Distribution In MENA
Why local streamers are stronger together
Hey streamers 👋
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Today’s program:
The main streaming content partnerships in MENA
Local platforms are better together
Why we should expect more content synergies
And… Action!
The main streaming content partnerships in MENA
I listed below the main content partnerships between local streaming services in the MENA region. Just read the lines, for example: stc tv offers content from Rotana, StarzPlay, Roya TV, OSN and Wide Khaliji.
Let’s focus on the services with the most content partners ↓
Switch TV
Switch TV, the streaming service of Etisalat UAE offers content coming from several partners from the region:
AD Sports, STARZPLAY Sports and Dubai Racing (Awaan/DMI) are included in the TV package “Sports TV”, available at AED 24.99/month.
“Starzplay” is available on Switch TV under a specific subscription (AED 39.99/month) and includes WATCH IT, Paramount+, Showtime, Lionsgate, Universal and Warner Bros. content.
The « Arabia » package offers MBC and Rotana On Demand content for AED 24.99/month.
Finally, the “Kids TV” subscription includes channels from Spacetoon and MBC3.
stc tv & Jawwy TV
stc tv offer content coming from several partners: STARZPLAY, WATCH IT, UFC Arabia, AD Sports, Wide Khaliji, Discovery+, Cartoon Network, etc.
STARZPLAY
STARZPLAY offers content from different partners, as part of the main subscription or as a standalone Add-on:
WATCH IT and Discovery+ are now included in the main STARZPLAY package for AED 29.99/Month.
UFC Arabia is now part or the new STARZPLAY Sports subscription, next to Serie A.
AD Sports is available as a standalone subscription for AED 14.99/month
The “Cricket” package includes the TV channels from eLife: Criclife 1, Criclife 2 and Criclife 3.
Local platforms are better together
MENA-based streaming services distributing content between each other can offer several benefits for both the services and their users. Here are some reasons why content partnerships between local players could be advantageous:
Content variety: Different streaming services have their own libraries of content, and by partnering, they can expand their offerings. Users get access to a wider range of content, enhancing their viewing experience.
User retention: Users often subscribe to multiple streaming services to access their favorite shows and movies. By offering content from other services, a local streaming platform can become a one-stop destination for a broader range of content, potentially increasing user loyalty.
Cost sharing: Producing or acquiring high-quality content can be expensive. By partnering and sharing content, local streaming services can lower the financial costs of original shows and movies, allowing them to invest in more ambitious projects.
Increased revenue: Through partnerships, Arabic streaming services can tap into each other's user bases, potentially attracting new subscribers who are interested in specific content from the partner service. This can lead to increased subscription revenue for both parties.
Marketing synergy: Joint marketing efforts between partnered services can be more effective in promoting content to a wider audience. Cross-promotions and joint campaigns can increase visibility and user engagement.
Data insights: By sharing user data and insights, streaming services can better understand viewing habits and preferences. This information can help them tailor their content offerings and improve recommendations.
Competition mitigation: The streaming market is becoming increasingly competitive in the MENA region, with new international players entering the field. Partnering strategically can help local services maintain their competitive edge against global giants and newer international entrants.
However, there are also potential challenges and complexities in such partnerships, including content licensing agreements, revenue sharing models, and technical integration. Content partnerships would need careful planning and negotiation to ensure that they are mutually beneficial and align with the goals of both platforms involved.
Why we should expect more synergies
As you can see below, Ad-supported models are growing fast in MENA 👇
The main objective of Ad-supported streaming services is to gather as many eye balls as possible. And one way to achieve this quickly is to distribute the same content or channels to several platforms.
If we focus on FAST, I’m convinced we’ll see very soon channels created by local content providers on Shahid, but also Weyyak, Roya TV, Awaan, and any new FAST platforms.
Don’t worry, I’ll keep tracking all of this for you ;)
That’s all for today, the power of cross content distribution between local platforms in MENA. 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 Grendizer on Jawwy TV. Because old is gold!
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