The Rise of Local Reality TV in MENA
The Rise of Local Reality TV in MENA
How Middle Eastern flavors are stealing the streaming spotlight
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Today’s program:
Where to stream local Reality shows in MENA
The vital role of local reality TV
Guess the next Reality TV success from Middle East?
And… Action!
Where to stream local Reality shows in MENA
In the past few years, I have seen more and more releases of local Reality shows on MENA homegrown and international streaming services. Here are some of them, starting with the latest one: Million Dollar Listing UAE.
Million Dollar Listing UAE - STARZPLAY
Release Date: September 15, 2023
Storyline: MDL UAE follows the lives and careers of 5 top brokers as they compete at the cut-throat luxury real estate market in the UAE. The first international series in the Million Dollar Listing franchise.
Genres: Reality, Lifestyle, Social
Audio languages: English
Subtitles: Arabic
Number of season: 1
Total number of episodes: 9
Average episode duration: 50 min
Other local Reality TV shows available on STARZPLAY: Say Yes To The Dress Arabia
Driven - TOD
Release Date: 2023
Storyline: To reach the top in one sport is a huge feat – to get there in two requires something extraordinary. Nasser Al Attiyah has dominated the rally over the last decade, winning five Dakar titles, but he’s also competed for his country at the Olympics in shooting.
Genres: Sports
Audio languages: English, Arabic
Subtitles: English
Number of season: 1
Total number of episodes: 4
Other local Reality TV shows available on TOD: Ramadan Cuisine, Adat Sehyya, Tabak Al Madina, Almatbakh Alarabi, Aldar Alkabira, Almatbak Addemashqui, Here You Are, A Day With Semsa, You Are What You Eat, Jamalk Fe Matbkhk, Journey of Spice, Hail W Zaafran, Sehhi W Atyab, Fikra W Tabkha, etc.
Dubai Bling - Netflix
Release Date: October 27, 2022
Storyline: Step off the private jet and into a high-flying social circle in Dubai, where lavish parties, stunning skylines and jaw-dropping fashion are the norm.
Genres: Middle Eastern TV Shows, Emirati, Reality TV
Audio languages: Arabic (Original), Hindi, French, Portuguese, Polish, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Arabic, French, Portuguese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Spanish, Filipino, Finnish, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.
Number of season: 1
Total number of episodes: 8
Average episode duration: 45 min
The Real Housewives of Dubai - OSN+
Release Date: June 1, 2022
Storyline: While living extravagantly in a city that's dripping in gold, the women of Dubai 'run the town' while learning about love, challenging friendships, and pushing their business to new heights.
Genres: Lifestyle, Reality
Audio languages: English
Subtitles: English, Arabic
Number of season: 1
Total number of episodes: 14
Average episode duration: 41 min
Other local Reality TV shows available on OSN+: Yalla Net’asha
Joelle Unfiltered - Shahid
Release Date: February 11, 2022
Storyline: Iconic media figure and established entrepreneur Joelle Mardinian invites the world to see her life, completely unfiltered.
Genres: Reality TV, Family
Audio languages: Arabic
Subtitles: Arabic, English, French
Number of seasons: 2
Total number of episodes: 20
Average episode duration: 40 min
Other local Reality TV shows available on Shahid: Arba’wa Ishroun, Aish Tikhtar, Mishwar Al Alam, Gadeha, Hasan Kutbi, Ramez Never Ends, Fasil Wa Nowasil, Bayn Ahlna, Motorsport Academy, Sebam, Yalla Nghayer, Ala Fain, Al Tatwou’ Haya, Warshat En’ash, Yalla Baher, Takeshi’s Catsle Saudi Arabia, Kiram, Driven, Beauty Match, Stars on Board, etc.
Ajeen W T’heen - stc tv & Jawwy TV
Release Date: 2022
Storyline: Join Chahrazad as she makes sweet and savory masterpieces. From pies and cookies to breads and bakes, she whips up dishes that will appeal to the tastebuds of those with a sweet tooth as well as those who love their savory treats.
Genres: Reality TV, Family
Audio languages: Arabic
Number of season: 1
Total number of episodes: 15
Other local Reality TV shows available on stc tv: Abir’s Kitchen, Al-Awa’el, Ramadan Tent, Houreyat Al-Matbakh, Matbakhna Al-A'arabi, Shofna Chef - Nour A-Zaben, Shu Bihib El-Orf, Wala Bil Ahlam, Tawelaty, Shofna Chef - Mohammad Anani, May's Menu, Ahla Jama'a, Matbakh Manal Al-Alem: Halaweyat, Wala A'al Bal, Nakhat Al-Maghrib Al-A'arabi, Matbakhek Meraytek, A'arousetna, Lil Matbakh Al-Khaleeji Asrar, Sawa Bil Matbakh, etc.
Astronauts - Awaan
Storyline: Astronauts is a new ten-part series in which 12 men and women from all over the Middle East go through the most extreme and demanding selection process reserved for real-life astronauts candidates.
Audio languages: Arabic
Subtitles: English
Number of seasons: 2
Total number of episodes: 20
Average episode duration: 55 min
Other Reality TV shows available on Awaan: No Kitchen Required, Chopped, Carpool Karaoke, etc.
Do you want to suggest another local Reality TV show? Answer this email and let The Streaming Lab community know!
The vital role of local Reality shows
Producing local reality TV shows in MENA is important for several reasons:
Cultural representation: Local reality TV provides a platform for showcasing the region's rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. This can also help combat stereotypes and promote a more accurate understanding of the Middle East.
Economic impact: The production of these shows stimulates the local entertainment industry, creating jobs for actors, producers, directors, and various streaming media professionals.
Audience engagement: Local reality TV shows resonate with viewers because they feature relatable situations. This engagement builds a sense of community and can become a source of inspiration for aspiring talent.
Talent development: Reality TV offers a platform for discovering local talent in fields like acting, singing, dancing, cooking, and more, which can potentially lead to international recognition.
Tourism promotion: Reality shows set in MENA can serve as a promotional tool for tourism, showcasing the region's landscapes, historical sites, and vibrant cities.
Producing local reality TV shows in the region is vital for cultural representation, economic development, audience engagement, talent development and tourism promotion.
Do you see something else?
Guess the next Reality TV success from Middle East?
There are many opportunities where local & international streamers could localize successful TV shows or build original formats. Here are some ideas:
I am Cristiano: Join Cristiano Ronaldo - footballer, father and influencer - in this emotional and in-depth portrait of his daily life in Saudi Arabia.
Designing Dubai: Who is behind the design of the most luxurious villas in Dubai?
Race to Dakar: Follow the preparation and the race of a local team for the Dakar Rally-Raid in Saudi Arabia.
Chef’s Table Middle East: Chef's Table goes inside the lives and kitchens of six of the Middle East’s most renowned chefs: a unique look at their lives, talents and passion from their piece of culinary heaven.
Dunes Road Truckers: Show the lives of drivers who operate trucks on challenging routes, crossing deserts in the Middle East.
The Italian Dream: Follow Serie A officials as they go around UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco to scout for promising young players (This one is not from me, STARZPLAY announced it 3 days ago ;)
That’s all for today, the rise of local reality TV 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 Million Dollar Listing UAE on STARZPLAY. Follow the lives and careers of 5 top brokers as they compete at the cut-throat luxury real estate market in the UAE.
I’m also proud to announce I will moderate a content market Webinar by DICM on October 4th. The topic? FAST in MENA of course ;)
Register here to get exclusive insights and learn from the companies driving FAST in the region.
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