Netflix will have 3.8 million subscribers by the end of 2023, followed by Shahid VIP with 3.5 million and StarzPlay with 3 million.
According to Digital TV Research, Netflix will lose its leadership in the Middle East SVOD market to Shahid VIP.
By 2029, the region is expected to host 26 million SVOD subscriptions across 13 Arabian countries, a significant increase from the 14 million recorded in 2023.
At the end of 2023, Netflix led the market with 3.8 million subscribers, closely followed by Shahid VIP with 3.5 million subscribers and StarzPlay with 3 million subscribers.
Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, highlighted the changing dynamics, saying, “As some U.S.-based platforms scale back their global reach and commitment to local content, Arab players will grow,” he said.
Shahid VIP, run by Saudi state-owned MBC Group, has been a prominent player since its inception. Originally launched in 2008 by MBC, the platform underwent a rebrand in 2020 to solidify its position and strengthen its appeal to audiences across the region.
