MBC Group, Netflix logos

Source: Courtesy of MBC

MBC Group, Netflix logos

Leading Middle East broadcaster MBC Group has forged a major partnership with Netflix to bundle their streaming subscriptions.

Marking the first partnership of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the alliance will offer a single subscription to consumers and bundle Netflix and MBC’s Shahid streaming platform alongside MBC’s linear TV channels. All will be hosted on MBCNOW, the recently launched entertainment content aggregator.

It follows similar deals closed by Netflix in France with broadcaster TF1, between Amazon’s Prime Video and France Televisions, and by Disney+ and ITV in the UK.

MBCNOW was launched in February to combine Shahid with its 17 free-to-air channels on one platform. Shahid is the most-watched Arabic streaming service in the MENA region with a selection of films, TV series, original productions and sports events.

The agreement with Netflix will combine this library of Arabic content with the full catalogue of the leading US streaming service. MBC Group said the bundle would offer a saving of more than 21% compared to individual subscriptions.

“This groundbreaking partnership is one for the books,” said Fadel Zahreddine, group director of emerging media at MBC Group. “To have two streaming giants – Shahid and Netflix – come together under one platform is something never seen before in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and wider MENA, and we’re very excited for what’s to come.”

Mohammed Al Kuraishi, head of business development and partnerships (MENA) at Netflix said. “This partnership brings unparalleled entertainment offering to our members and puts them at the heart of the entertainment experience.”

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