MBC GROUP’s Shahid named “Best Digital Platform in Media” by Saudi Media Forum 3

26 February 2024

MBC GROUP’s Shahid named “Best Digital Platform in Media” by Saudi Media Forum 3

Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform by MBC GROUP, has been named 2024’s “Best Digital Platform in Media” at the third edition of the Saudi Media Forum.

Part of the forum’s Digital Media category, the Best Digital Platform in Media award is open to both websites and mobile applications that excel in delivering content across a diverse spectrum of media.

Shahid is the premier destination for top-tier original productions from the Arab world, offering an expansive library of exclusive movies, premieres, live TV channels, sports, children’s content, and international offerings. Shahid streams a rich mix of free content through its Video on Demand (VoD) service and an enhanced viewing experience with exclusive content available via Subscription Video on Demand (SVoD).

The platform’s diverse programming includes Shahid Originals, Shahid Premieres, and the latest Arabic movies fresh off the box office. It also offers access to MBC GROUP’s live TV channels in true HD quality alongside more than 30 Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels.

MBC GROUP is the leading and largest media organisation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Under the patronage of the Minister of Media, Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, the third Saudi Media Forum took place last week: “Media in a World Taking Shape.” Organised by the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) in collaboration with the Saudi Journalists Association, the Forum took place in Riyadh over three days, engaging more than 2,000 prominent media professionals, academics, experts, and specialists, both locally and internationally, as well as 80 media entities, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

[Source: MBC press release]

BBC Kids launches in the Middle East on Shahid platform

1 February 2024

BBC Kids launches in the Middle East on Shahid platform

BBC Studios announced today its agreement with MBC GROUP to launch BBC Kids content on the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform, Shahid from 8 February 2024.

The collaboration will bring BBC Studios’ exceptional children’s content to a wider audience in the Middle East, providing families and children aged 0-12 with digital access to a diverse range of inspiring, entertaining and educational shows. With a commitment to delivering content that sparks imagination and creativity, BBC Kids aims to enrich the viewing experience for children and parents alike. This launch makes the Middle East the sixth market to introduce the BBC Kids brand following previous launches in Australia (April 2021), US (January 2022), Taiwan (July 2022), South Africa (September 2022) and most recently in India, where it has been available to audiences on Prime Video Channels since July 2023.

Curated to offer dedicated sections aimed at pre-school children and older children, BBC Kids will offer 200 hours of premium programming, fully dubbed into the Arabic language, in a safe environment. New series available on the SVOD service for pre-schoolers include JoJo and Gran Gran, and several titles from children’s favourite Andy’s Adventures collection. Older viewers will enjoy tracking down the most deadly animals on the planet in Deadly 60 and following best young bakers competing in Junior Bake Off.

In addition to the launch of BBC Kids, BAFTA and International Emmy® award-winning pre-school animation Hey Duggee (Series 1-3) will make its free-to-air debut across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and North Africa through children’s channel MBC3. Created and written by Grant Orchard, Senior Director of Studio AKA, Duggee is a big loveable dog who inspires pre-school children to be energetic, explore and problem solve. Each episode starts with Duggee welcoming the Squirrels to discover new things about the world around them. Bringing smiles, laughter and hugs along the way, the Squirrels enjoy every moment on their amazing adventures in the care of huggable Duggee who has A-woof for every occasion! Hey Duggee is a Studio AKA production with CBeebies and BBC Studios.

“We are excited to bring BBC Kids to Shahid allowing our critically acclaimed content to connect with a broader audience and enhance the entertainment experience for kids and families in the Middle East. The inclusion of Hey Duggee on MBC3 channel strengthens our commitment to providing exceptional content that teaches valuable lessons in a fun and accessible way, and is accessible both in digital and linear – said Andrea Raman, Director, Business Development for Nordics, MENA, Turkey at BBC Studios

Tareq Al-Ibrahim, Director of Content at Shahid, added: “Shahid’s exciting kids’ library stands out thanks to the richness of its educational and entertaining content, while also ensuring a trusted and safe viewing experience for families across the Arab world. Today, with the launch of BBC Kids, we are bringing more globally renowned and award-winning content to the Middle East and North Africa through Shahid and MBC GROUP’s channels.”

He continued: “We’re excited to add a plethora of titles online, bringing over 200 hours of new kids’ content to Shahid. We’re always looking to add the best value and experiences for our important young viewers!”

BBC Kids is an ad-free video destination available to Shahid subscribers. All programming features Arabic dubbing. The new digital proposition complements the youngest audience’s experience in the Middle East, adding to the CBeebies Pre-school linear channel already available in the region since 2016.

[Source: BBC press release]

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

9 May 2023

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

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.

[Source: MBC press release]

MBC GROUP’s Shahid announces major period drama “Slave Market”

12 January 2023

MBC GROUP’s Shahid announces major period drama “Slave Market”

Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform by MBC GROUP, announces the debut of its new period drama, “Slave Market” (دكة العبيد).

A Shahid Original series produced by MBC STUDIOS, “Slave Market” – one of the platform’s most significant productions of the year – will release on Shahid on Friday 13 January 2023.

Penned by Kuwaiti writer, Heba Mashari Hamada, and directed by the award-winning Tunisian director, Lassaad Oueslati, the series narrates five stories taking place simultaneously in different parts of the world. Set in the 1900s, whilst these stories may differ in detail, they all intersect at the fate of each story’s protagonist when they all fall into slavery. The first season of the drama (nine episodes) follows the journey of the five main characters – Rahma (Arabian Peninsula), Colonel Morton (and his English family living in Jeddah), Lavani (Mumbai), Quako and Natanda (Eastern Africa), and Khorshid’s family (European Caucasus) – up to the point they all end up at the slave market.

Featuring a multi-national cast from Saudi Arabia, the Arab region, and beyond, “Slave Market” stars Fayez Bin Jurays, Apeksha Porwal, Al Anoud Saud, Hashim Najdi, Haneen Turkistany, Nawaf Al-Dhufairi, Nagham Almalki, Marzouk Al Ghamdy, Saeed Al Qahtani, Shyam Kishore, Janique Charles, Chris J Gordon, Avant Strangel, Justina Biosah, Genlee Motlana, Paballo Owami Landu, Shannon Gaskin, Nick Cornwall, Natasha Choufani, Lauren Elise Thomas, Nizar Alsulaimani, Sumaiah Abdulwahab and more.

“Slave Market” was filmed across 104 locations depicting various parts of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe, and features 70 main cast members as well as a 150-strong supporting cast and over 17,000 extras.

To accommodate scenes at sea, more than 35 interior and exterior designs, depicting ships from that period, were built exclusively for the series.

A total of 4,700 costumes were specially created for the series, with wardrobe design led by Yasmine El Kadi.

Also involved are Ahmed Abdelaziz (DOP), Yehia Allam (Production Designer), Firas Ibrahim (Executive Director), Ayman Ibrahim (Line Producer), Mostafa Tantawi (VFX), Ragui Hanna (VFX Supervisor), and Mostafa Aly (Sound Engineer).

[Source: MBC press release]

MBC GROUP expands anime partnerships to add titles to Shahid

1 December 2022

MBC GROUP expands anime partnerships to add titles to Shahid

Group has secured rights to various series, including TV Tokyo’s “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War,” the 52-episode Japanese anime television series based on the “Bleach” manga series by Tite Kubo

MBC GROUP – the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – has announced the expansion of its partnerships with key anime studios and production houses in Japan and beyond to bring more anime content to its streaming platform, Shahid.

At present, Shahid boasts hundreds of anime titles on its platform, including “Bleach”, “One Piece” “Attack on Titan”, “Tokyo Ghoul”, “Initial D”, “Gin Tama”, “Hunter x Hunter”, “Legend of the Galactic Heroes”, “Belle”, as well as the Japanese–Saudi Arabian animated action fantasy film, “The Journey”.

Building on these partnerships, MBC GROUP has secured exclusive rights in MENA to TV Tokyo’s “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War,” the 52-episode Japanese anime television series based on the “Bleach” manga series by Tite Kubo, and a direct sequel to the “Bleach” anime series. The title returns following an eight-year hiatus, is streaming on Shahid at the same time as Japan and the United States.

The entire box set of previously aired series’ of “Bleach” is also available on Shahid for streaming.

MBC GROUP has additionally extended a partnership with TOEI Animation to add more episodes of the renowned show, “ONE PIECE”, one of anime’s longest-running programmes, based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga series of the same name.

Following the success of the anime adaptation of “Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai” on Shahid, MBC GROUP has also expanded on its partnership with its production company, Aniplex. The expansion will see the addition of more than 200 hours of Aniplex content on Shahid, including “Fate/Stay Night”, “Sword Art Online”, and “Gurren Lagann”.

Tareq Al-Ibrahim, Director of Content for SVOD at Shahid, commented: “Anime is extremely popular in the Middle East region – particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – so needless to say, we are incredibly excited to be making new additions to our ever-expanding anime catalogue on Shahid, bringing new and hit titles that audiences will love exploring.”

All titles mentioned above will be available on Shahid before the end of 2022.

Often aimed at adults, Anime refers to the wide range of Japanese animation that reflects multiple genres and features a distinctly recognisable visual aesthetic and storytelling approach.

Shahid is the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform by MBC GROUP.

[Source: MBC press release]