Shahid strengthens partnerships across MENA region, achieves 3.5x growth in 12 months

The world’s leading Arabic streaming platform by MBC GROUP celebrates its continuing success story on partnerships across the region
Dynamic partnerships cover various industries, including telcos, device manufacturers and other brands, banks, and airlines

**RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | 09 May 2023:** Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform powered by MBC GROUP, announced today its continuing success story on partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which has led to a 3.5x growth over the past 12 months. Shahid’s strong and dynamic partnerships across various industries – including telcos, device manufacturers and other brands, banks, and airlines – have been key in driving growth and expansion.

**TELCOS**

Starting with telcos, Shahid has partnered with over 30 telecommunication operators across the region to date, offering smart and easy mobile billing for subscribers. Additionally, Shahid has agreements in place with 12+ partners so far that bundles complimentary Shahid subscriptions along with core mobile plans. 

Major telcos to have partnered with Shahid include Saudi’s STC, Egypt’s Vodafone, and Orange Morocco. Not only do the partnerships focus on special deals for Shahid subscribers, but they have also resulted in creating exclusive experiences for telcos clients. For example, in November 2022, Vodafone RED customers in Egypt were given the exclusive opportunity to be part of the private screening of the Shahid Originals production, “Room 207”. Meanwhile, this January saw Orange Morocco supporting the launch of “Casa Street”, the first Moroccan series produced for Shahid Originals through various experiences and activations for viewers.

**DEVICE MANUFACTURERS**

During the past 12 months, Shahid announced partnerships with major device manufacturers in the region to bring exclusive bundles and subscription offers to customers. They include Samsung, LG, Elaraby, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s PlayStation, Hisense, and OPPO.

**BRANDS**

Shahid has also formed regional partnerships with Talabat, Anghami, Noon, Mastercard, Al Rifai and Careem, focusing on running co-branded subscription campaigns.

**BANKING & PAYMENT PROVIDERS**

Part of Shahid’s continued growth has been thanks to its ongoing facilitation of payment options for a highly diverse region. It expanded its payment methods through e-wallets, launching with Egypt’s Paymob and Vodafone Cash.

Shahid has also launched a variety of prepaid cards in 100+ retail distributors across 15 countries, including via Fawry, Jarir, Virgin Megastore, Sharaf DG, and Like4card.

As for recent banking agreements, Shahid has formed regional partnerships with Arab Bank and Emirates NBD Egypt.

**AIRLINES**

And finally, one major partnership to have been announced over the past year was that of Shahid joining forces with Emirates to offer premium content exclusively onboard its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ICE.

Announced in July 2022, the collaboration made Emirates ICE the only platform in the world – aside from the streaming service’s own premium-subscription online platform – to offer access to highly popular titles by Shahid Originals.

At time of debut, all Emirates customers enjoyed access to an extensive selection of over 135 hours of Shahid content from 15 programmes.

Commenting on Shahid’s growth in partnerships, **Natasha Matos-Hemingway, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Shahid**, stated: “We are delighted with the growth and expansion we have achieved over the past year, and we attribute much of our success to the strong partnerships we have formed across the MENA region.

“We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with our partners, and delivering compelling storytelling, innovative digital offerings, and lifestyle experiences to our subscribers and fans.” 
MBC GROUP is the largest and leading media company in the MENA region.

**-ENDS-**

**About Shahid **

Shahid is the first and leading VOD and SVOD streaming platform in the Arab world by MBC GROUP, offering premium content to Arab families, including binge worthy exclusive Shahid Originals; Shahid Premieres; Arabic movies fresh off the box-office; live TV channels in true HD quality; as well as international offerings, sports, kids offering, and more than 30 FAST channels. 

For more information on Shahid, visit [shahid.net](https://shahid.mbc.net/ar).
Shahid is also available on social media via:
[Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/shahidvod) / [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/shahid.vod) / [Twitter](http://www.twitter.com/shahidvod) / [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shahidvod)

For press inquiries or more information, please contact:
Sasha GEMAYEL 
Sr. Group PR Manager 
MBC GROUP
+971 4 3909816
+971 50 1547258 
[Sasha.Gemayel@mbc.net](mailto:Sasha.Gemayel@mbc.net)
[ShahidPressOffice@Shahid.net](mailto:ShahidPressOffice@Shahid.net)


Shahid strengthens partnerships across MENA region, achieves 3.5x growth in 12 months

**MBC GROUP secures three-year deal renewal with Paramount Global Content Distribution to bring further Nickelodeon content offerings to MBC3 and Shahid**

_Top titles available in the MENA region include “PAW Patrol”, “The Loud House”, “SpongeBob SquarePants”, “The Patrick Star Show”, and “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”_

**RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | 04 September 2023:** MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announces the successful renewal of its content licensing deal with Paramount Global Content Distribution, extending the collaboration of Nickelodeon titles for a further three years. This renewal solidifies MBC GROUP’s commitment to providing high-quality children’s entertainment across multiple platforms, including television and video-on-demand (VoD).
Run by Paramount Global, Nickelodeon is an international leading entertainment brand aimed at kids, offering a variety of family-friendly programming, feature films, and more fun content.
Ashraf Younis, Director of MBC3, of MBC GROUP, commented: “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Paramount Global and continue delivering exceptional content to our young viewers. This extension for the next three years represents our shared commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment across traditional broadcasting and digital platforms in the MENA region. We also look forward to creating even more engaging experiences through other offerings, such as licensing and merchandising.”
“We are thrilled to renew our licensing deal with MBC GROUP,” says Matthew Downer, SVP, Regional TV Licensing, Paramount Global Content Distribution.  “We hope that this top-quality content continues to entertain audiences in the Middle East and North Africa.” 
WHAT’S COMING UP ON MBC3 & SHAHID
As part of the renewed partnership, MBC GROUP will continue to deliver exclusive “FTA first run” content on its children’s free-to-air TV channel, MBC3, with a minimum of 350 episodes each year.
Shows include the recent seasons of “PAW Patrol”, “The Loud House”, “SpongeBob SquarePants“, and “Blaze and the Monster Machines” to name a few. Meanwhile, Nickelodeon titles newly coming to MBC3 include “The Patrick Star Show”, “Middlemost Post”, and “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”.
Turning to VoD, and Nickelodeon content will also continue to form part of Shahid – the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform. Here, Shahid will showcase content in both English and French, also with a minimum of 350 episodes per year.
Young viewers will be able to access a number of exciting titles on-demand, including “Dora the Explorer”, “Shimmer and Shine”, “The Loud House”, and “Bubble Guppies”.

LICENSING & MERCHANDISE
On his part, Bassel Ghoussainy, Head of Licensing at MBC GROUP added: “our commitment to providing quality entertainment experiences extends beyond broadcasting. The partnership renewal with Paramount Global Content Distribution will also include an extension of both companies’ collaboration on licensing and merchandising (L&M). By leveraging the popularity of the shared content between MBC GROUP and Paramount Global, we aim to continue creating exciting activations and offerings for young fans to engage with their favourite animated characters and related Nickelodeon brands through a wide range of licensed products and merchandise items”.
A GLOBAL HUB FOR THE MIDDLE EAST & BEYOND
In addition to its leading position in the MENA, MBC GROUP is also considered one of the world’s top media and broadcast organisations. Its award-winning streaming platform, Shahid, can be accessed across the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. 
MBC GROUP is also at the forefront of spearheading international exchanges of knowledge and expertise by inviting international companies, talent, and producers to become involved in Arabic-language titles. It also works with global entities to offer support and opportunities to MENA talent and producers worldwide.

**ENDS**


For press inquiries or more information, please contact:
**Sasha GEMAYEL **
Sr. Group PR Manager 
MBC GROUP
+971 50 450 7504  
[Sasha.Gemayel@mbc.net](asha.Gemayel@mbc.net)



MBC GROUP secures three-year deal renewal with Paramount Global Content Distribution to bring further Nickelodeon content offerings to MBC3 and Shahid

**His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture KSA signs agreement with the Chairman of MBC GROUP to launch a new channel dedicated to Saudi culture**
 
_The TV channel, set to broadcast a diverse range of programming focused on the Kingdom’s rich history, in addition to current events, is in line with the cultural objectives of Saudi Vision 2030_
 
**RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | 18 August 2023:** His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed an agreement with Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, the Chairman of MBC GROUP, to launch and operate a brand-new satellite television channel dedicated to celebrating the richness of Saudi culture. 
The establishment of the new channel – which is set to broadcast a diverse range of programming focused on the Kingdom’s rich history, in addition to current events and offerings – is in line with the cultural objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, cementing the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for culture. 
Airing on MBC GROUP’s TV satellite network, as well as its streaming platform, Shahid, the channel – whose name will be unveiled in the coming period – aims to appeal to a wide-ranging audience including those who enjoy compelling storytelling such as documentaries, as well as more general entertainment. Launching this September 2023, the channel – which also aims to further establish the presence of Saudi content within the global creative landscape – will focus on content that reflects the Kingdom’s rich heritage, majestic civilisation, and exciting culture.
Ground-breaking programming is set to include expertly produced content on arts, literature, history and heritage, poetry, film and theatre, design, fashion, and dining and hospitality. Documentaries scheduled to feature include ones centred on the lives and memoirs of prominent Saudi figures, while other programming will comprise theatre performances and productions, Saudi arts and culture talks and showcases, as well as talk shows with renowned academics in their space.
In addition to the new channel, the agreement also incorporates the launch of a new digital media platform dedicated to similar content in the Saudi cultural space. Aimed at audiences who prefer to consume most of their content online, the platform will continuously publish articles, podcasts, and videos such as short documentaries.
Reflecting the ever-changing needs of both local and global audiences, both the upcoming channel and digital platform welcomes the involvement of Saudi talent and creatives, with MBC GROUP spearheading the transformation of their content into important cultural assets.
As previously mentioned, the establishment of the channel is in line with the cultural objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, cementing the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for culture. This aligns with the aspirations of a new generation of audiences, content creators, and others, who are passionate about showcasing their beloved country to the rest of the world.
More information on both offerings will be released in due course. 
MBC GROUP is the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
**ENDS**


For press inquiries or more information, please contact:
Sasha GEMAYEL 
Sr. Group PR Manager 
MBC GROUP
+971 4 3909816
+971 50 450 7504  
[Sasha.Gemayel@mbc.net](Sasha.Gemayel@mbc.net)



His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture KSA signs agreement with the Chairman of MBC GROUP to launch a new channel dedicated to Saudi culture