Market Focus infrastructure , especially large production Sound Stages , is also being developed and built in KSA much faster than the surrounding countries . All these factors will probably give the Kingdom an advantage within the GCC region in terms of film and drama production opportunities .”
Market Focus infrastructure , especially large production Sound Stages , is also being developed and built in KSA much faster than the surrounding countries . All these factors will probably give the Kingdom an advantage within the GCC region in terms of film and drama production opportunities .”
Indeed , Hasan suggests that the media landscape in the GCC region is definitely becoming more competitive , with multiple players vying for dominance or a larger piece of the pie . “ While Saudi Arabia ’ s increasing visibility in the media landscape may challenge the UAE ’ s position , it is unlikely to displace it entirely . I believe that both countries are likely to continue to play important roles in the region ’ s media industry , each with their own
strengths and advantages ,” says Hasan . UHD . The 2022 FIFA World Cup represented an explosion of high-quality images which were beamed around the planet . But now that the matches are but a memory , where does this leave 4K and Ultra High-Definition ( UHD ) in the region ?
Hasan ’ s view is pessimistic and says that UHD is not high on the region ’ s agenda . “ I do not think 4K satellite broadcasting is on any regional networks ’ roadmap for the near future . There are still hundreds of regional TV channels broadcasting in SD even after 14 years since HD channels started to be broadcast in the Arab world . Having said that , 4K production is becoming increasingly popular for regional drama production and also for TV commercials , promotional videos , and music videos . The potential for 4K content being available on VoD streaming networks , and even social and digital networks , seems to be more important than offering that content through linear satellite TV channels which is very expensive with no real return on the investment .”
“ NEOM will have 1.5-2m residents by 2030 ”
The global appetite for Arab production , both from expatriate Arabs or even for viewers keen to watch drama , series , entertainment and especially news , remains high . Hasan says Arab broadcasters ’ days where distribution over multiple satellites , or at least on both regional satellite hot spots of ( Eutelsat / Nilesat ’ s ) 7 / 8 ° W and ( Arabsat ’ s ) 26 ° E , was the norm , are over .
Hasan adds : “ With the exception of state- amongst the planet ’ s major broadcasters for more than 26 years ( since July 1996 ). The initial Showtime venture had KIPCO as a majority shareholder and with Viacom as the minority partner but majority supplier of content . Showtime merged with Orbit in July 2009 . The merger was the logical conclusion to what had been a very costly exercise between the rivals . Between 2009 and now owned TV channels and large TV networks it is a sad reflection on the struggles pay-TV such as Al-Jazeera , MBC , and Rotana , the has suffered in the region that the merged majority of private broadcasters have dropped pair have gone through CEOs at an alarming the dual-spot or global satellite distribution rate . The two partners in the business remain model , and are now available only on one KIPCO and Mawarid Holding Co . of the two orbital positions , with [ Eutelsat / Notably , back in December 2021 , Faisal Al Nilesat ’ s 7 / 8 ° W ] as the preferred hot spot . Ayyar , the then Group CEO of KIPCO retired . Regional broadcasters interested in reaching Al Ayyar was very much a supporter of the the Arab diaspora outside the Arab world are Showtime project from Day 1 . His departure also available for viewers in North America , might make his successor ( Sheika Dana Europe , and Australia via OTT / internet Nasser Sabah Al Ahmed ) look freshly at OSN ’ s streaming aggregation platforms or the prospects . Earlier this year she exited OSN ’ s broadcasters ’ own websites and mobile apps . board of directors , for example . Some of the new entrants to the market are PROGRESS . Al Ayyar ’ s final statement ( in even launching with digital-only distribution its December 2022 Annual Report ) on OSN through linear Internet streaming , with the stated : “ Over the past year , we continued number of FAST channels on the rise on to make progress in turning around OSN ’ s regional platforms , and through VoD and operations . Our streaming component has social media platforms .” been rebranded OSN + and the focus has been MERGER . The trials and tribulations of the shifted to original content , Arabic productions Orbit / Showtime pay-TV era in the Middle and adaptations . The OSNtv box was launched East have been a source of worry and concern late in the year , an all-in-one new product that
The prospects for MENA OTT
Middle East & North Africa OTT TV episodes and movies will generate $ 5.69 billion by 2028 ; double from $ 2.83 billion in 2022 . Turkey , Israel and Saudi Arabia together will account for 55 percent of the region ’ s revenues by 2028 . The 13 Arabic-speaking countries will generate $ 2.47 billion in 2028 ; up from $ 1.28 billion in 2022 .
AVoD will bring in $ 1.55 billion by 2028 – up by $ 1 billion on 2022 . Turkey will supply 62 percent of the 2028 total , with Israel bringing in another 11 percent and Saudi Arabia 10 %. SVOD is the revenue driver for OTT TV and video . SVOD revenues will reach $ 3.82 billion in 2028 ; up by $ 1.8 billion from $ 2.03 billion in 2022 .
Simon Murray , principal analyst at Digital TV Research , commented : “ We forecast 42 million SVoD subscriptions by 2028 , double from 21 million at end-2022 . Netflix will have 11 million subscribers by 2028 . Disney + started in the Arabic countries , Israel and Turkey in 2022 – with 7.22 million subscribers expected by 2028 .”
16 EUROMEDIA