MBC Group and Netflix Unite in Landmark Bundling Agreement

In a significant development for the streaming landscape in the Middle East, MBC Group has secured a groundbreaking partnership with Netflix, allowing the U.S.-based streaming giant to join forces with Shahid, MBC's popular streaming platform. This innovative collaboration, announced on July 28, 2025, will enable subscribers to access both Netflix and Shahid's extensive content library under a single subscription through MBCNOW, MBC Group's newly launched entertainment content aggregator.

The bundling initiative represents a pioneering move for Netflix in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, mirroring recent carriage agreements established between major European television networks and streaming services. Notable examples include the partnerships between Netflix and French broadcaster TF1, as well as Prime Video with France Televisions, and Disney+ with ITV in the United Kingdom.

As of December 2024, Shahid leads the MENA streaming market with approximately 4.4 million subscribers, while Netflix boasts around 3 million, according to data from global analyst Omdia. This deal is poised to reshape the competitive dynamics within the regional streaming sector.

Fadel Zahreddine, Group Director of Emerging Media at MBC Group, expressed enthusiasm regarding the partnership, stating, "This groundbreaking partnership is one for the books. To have two streaming giants – Shahid and Netflix – come together under one platform is something never seen before in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region. We are very excited for what’s to come." Bhanu Chaddha, Director of Distribution and TV Products at MBC Group, emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration, declaring, "This is definitely the future of streaming and content consumption."

Mohammed Al Kuraishi, Head of Business Development and Partnerships for the Middle East and Africa at Netflix, shared similar sentiments, noting, "We’re thrilled to have MBC Group join forces with Netflix to bring its content to our audiences under the convenience of a single subscription."

The newly established bundle will provide subscribers with access to Shahid's extensive catalog of Arabic TV shows, films, and documentaries, alongside Netflix’s full array of content offerings. This partnership is not only advantageous for consumers but also cost-effective, presenting a savings of over 21% compared to purchasing individual subscriptions to each service.

The streaming industry in the MENA region has experienced explosive growth, with the over-the-top (OTT) subscription video market generating estimated revenues of $1.2 billion in 2024, as reported by Omdia. The firm anticipates sustained growth in the MENA market, which is increasingly driven by evolving consumer preferences for digital content consumption.

Furthermore, the ownership structure of MBC Group is noteworthy; the Saudi government holds a 60% stake in the company, with the remaining shares owned by Waleed bin Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim, the founder and chairman of the pan-Arab broadcaster. This collaboration not only highlights the strategic importance of the MENA region in the global streaming market but also reflects the growing synergy between traditional broadcasters and digital platforms.

As the landscape of media consumption continues to evolve, this partnership between MBC Group and Netflix represents a significant step towards redefining how audiences in the MENA region access and experience content. The implications of this deal are expected to resonate across the industry, potentially influencing future collaborations between regional broadcasters and global streaming services.