MBC GROUP Celebrates 35 Years in Shaping the Arab Media and Entertainment Landscape

18 September 2026

​On September 18, MBC GROUP celebrates its 35th anniversary, marking more than three decades of leadership in broadcasting, content creation, storytelling, and audience engagement across the MENA region and beyond.

Founded in 1991 as the region’s first private free-to-air satellite broadcaster, MBC GROUP has evolved into a global media and entertainment conglomerate. Today, it continuously advances its broadcast, digital, and interactive platforms, backed by sustainable investments designed to meet shifting global media consumption habits.

Central to this milestone is the corporate theme, “بناسها تحلى أكثر”  meaning “Our Story is better with You”. The campaign highlights the true engine behind MBC’s story: its diverse talent behind and in front of the camera, strategic industry partners, and the millions of viewers who have made MBC brands a staple of daily life.

Key Institutional Milestones

MBC’s journey is defined by strategic shifts that have redefined the regional media landscape:

  • Headquarters Relocation to Riyadh: Moving its principal operations to Saudi Arabia’s capital established a vital hub within the Kingdom’s rapidly growing media and entertainment ecosystem.
  • Tadawul Listing (2024): The successful public listing on the Saudi Exchange marked a major milestone in institutional maturity, providing a strong platform for future expansion.
  • Global Content & Original Production: Through MBC STUDIOS, the Group develops high-value regional narratives, exporting Arabic heritage and storytelling to international audiences.
  • Digital Leadership via MBC SHAHID: The Group’s premium streaming platform, MBC Shahid, has become the world’s leading Arabic VOD/OTT service, offering an extensive library of original productions and exclusive programming.
  • Human Capital & Talent Nurturing: Established in 2020, MBC ACADEMY has upskilled and trained over 18,000 emerging Saudi and Arab media professionals, building the next generation of creative industry talent.
  • Gaming & Interactive Entertainment: Expanding into interactive media, MBC GAME STUDIO introduced its flagship title, 1001 Threads of Mizan, unveiled at Gamescom in Cologne Germany, taking local storytelling into the global gaming space.

Anniversary Programming Across Platforms

To mark the occasion, flagship channels and digital assets are featuring special anniversary content:

  • MBC1 Specials: Dedicated coverage on MBC in a Week explores the Group’s transformation since 1991, while Sabah Al Khair Ya Arab (MBC1flagship Morning Show) showcases the iconic shows and personalities that shaped its heritage.
  • Brand Campaign: A tailored visual identity and promo campaign centered on the “Our Story is better with You” concept will run across all channels and social media networks, with MBC1 carrying the anniversary identity through Ramadan 2027.

[Source: MBC press release]