Why MENA is becoming a major FAST market
Why MENA is becoming a major FAST market
The Streaming Lab #47
Hey streamers 👋
Welcome to the 47th edition of The Streaming Lab. Thanks for reading me.
A big thank you to our sponsor of the week: SoFAST.
If you're looking to create your own FAST channel (and missed the opportunity to have a meeting on their boat during MIPTV), check out their unique offering:
In just two years, SoFAST has already convinced over 440 channels and rights holders, including France TV Distribution, Juste Pour Rire, Times Network, Caracol, Sportall, Euronews, CNN Indonesia, and is connected to platforms such as Samsung, Xiaomi, TCL, Hisense, Roku, and Huawei.
Their model is based on a revenue share only, with no fees for channel creation, making it a particularly advantageous solution for content creators.
Whenever you’re ready, there are many ways I can help you:
Promote your company by sponsoring this newsletter [NEW]
Work with me 1:1 to diversify your streaming revenues
Join 35+ readers of the market report Streaming in MENA [2023 EDITION]
Read all the previous editions of The Streaming Lab
And… ACTION!
This week’s program
First, I’ll share with you what I’ve learned about FAST during MIPTV, including the links to download the full presentations. Then, I’ll give you my latest observations about FAST in MENA.
My top FAST learnings from MIPTV
Why MENA is becoming a major FAST market
The FAST channels in MENA - April 2023
My top FAST learnings from MIPTV
Top 5 FAST channel genres on Samsung TV Plus are Entertainment, Film, Sports, Music and Lifestyle.
Contact Maria Rua Aguete to get the full presentation HERE.
60% of Pluto TV channels in the UK are based on a single show franchise.
Full presentation from Ampere Analysis available HERE.
FAST usage is still limited in Europe compared to the streaming giants YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, etc.
More insights from Evan Shapiro available HERE.
There are today more than 1,600 FAST channels in the U.S. followed by Canada (535), U.K. (455), Germany, (406), France (344), Spain (317), Australia (310) and Italy (272).
Full presentation from The Local Act & Variety available HERE.
The countries with the highest blended eCPM mixed programmatic + direct are Turkey ($19.34), Netherlands ($16.75), UAE ($15.93), France ($15.55) and Philippines ($15.54).
Why MENA is becoming a major FAST market
If you think FAST is booming in the US and Europe, look at what’s happening in MENA. Local streaming services have learnt from more mature markets and are now catching up.
The region appears ideal for the FAST model: MENA is highly populated, most of the countries use the same language, and people are used to watch linear channels. FAST offers a strong alternative to the 40+ SVOD services in MENA and the subscription fatigue they generate.
I tracked FAST in MENA in April and there are already 377 channels available, representing an increase of 200% since January. What’s interesting is that most of the channels are global exclusives. It means you won’t find them outside of MENA streaming platforms.
And that’s only the beginning: several SVOD services are switching to hybrid models with linear content. Local AVOD platforms also started aggregating channels from major FAST tech providers. Global giants will come to the region at some point, and it’s only a question of months.
However, a big mistake would be to create/add thousands of FAST channels and wait for consumers to watch them. Programming & discovery will be key to maintain a steady growth, together with the development of a more mature ad-tech ecosystem.
The FAST channels in MENA - April 2023
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:
Roya TV launched 2 weeks ago 16 FAST channels, including Roya TV, Roya Drama, Roya Comedy, Roya Kids and a pop-up channel for Ramadan. We should expect more channels in the coming months.
Shahid released 5 new FAST channels: Roya TV, Al Masrah Mar, Aflam Comedy, Al Dhaif and Safer Manna. The channel Safer Manna is particularly interesting: it shows a captivating blend of reality, travel and cooking shows created by young Saudi men and women.
YuppTV added 32 FAST channels to its portfolio. Most of them are still local News TV channels available in local languages.
Nothing to report from the other platforms.
Do you want to report any new FAST channels in MENA? Answer this email and let The Streaming Lab community know.
That’s all for today, the state of FAST in MENA in April 2023.
See you online next week. Until then, enjoy the season 3 finale of The Mandalorian on Disney+. Because we just all love Grogu.