Rotana will infuse 1001 with a bouquet of free-to-air and encrypted channels, providing users with an immersive entertainment experience.
Iraq’s legal streaming platform, 1001, has announced a significant partnership with Rotana, a dominant force in Arabic entertainment across the Middle East. This strategic collaboration marks a significant moment for 1001 as it reaffirms its commitment to delivering the ultimate streaming experience to Iraqi audiences.
Since its successful launch in March 2023, 1001 has emerged as the frontrunner in the Iraqi market, amassing a user base of over 2m. The recent introduction of its subscription model, launched on 23rd February 2024, will coincide with the integration of Rotana’s extensive library of premium content, promising subscribers an unparalleled streaming experience.
Rotana’s contribution to 1001 will include a diverse range of free-to-air and encrypted channels, offering users a rich and immersive entertainment journey. These Rotana channels feature an extensive selection of Arabic content, encompassing movies, dramas, programmes, and exclusive music, tailored specifically for the GCC audience. This collaboration further solidifies 1001’s position as the most comprehensive legal streaming platform in the Gulf, offering a seamless blend of hyper-localised and international entertainment options to cater to diverse preferences.
The integration of Rotana’s premium content into 1001’s SVOD model marks a significant advancement in both entities’ efforts to redefine the streaming landscape. Rotana’s acclaimed free-to-air and encrypted channels, along with their associated content, have long enjoyed considerable viewership in Iraq. Through this strategic partnership, Rotana aims to capitalise on and enhance Iraqis’ access to its content, aligning with their tastes and preferences, while utilising a platform that has already captured a significant portion of the Iraqi audience. Additionally, by collaborating with a key player in the Iraqi streaming ecosystem, Rotana anticipates a reduction in piracy and the proliferation of pirated platforms focused on Iraq, thereby safeguarding the interests of legal content holders and regional streaming platforms.
Speaking about the collaboration, Ahmad Al-Shagra, Co-Founder, and Chief Platform Officer at 1001, said: “Coupled with our cutting-edge Video-On-Demand (VOD) technology, the integration of Rotana’s premium content into 1001’s SVOD model represents a monumental leap forward in our mission to craft an immersive and culturally vibrant streaming experience. This innovative fusion not only ensures seamless access to a vast library of captivating content but also empowers viewers to explore and engage with their favourite shows and movies at their convenience, transcending traditional viewing boundaries.”
Jad Joubran, VP – Global Content Distribution & Partnerships at Rotana, added: “This opportunity gives us the chance to get into the home of each & every Iraqi who are dear to our hearts, it is an absolute delight to be able to do it hand in hand with 1001.” Joubran highlighted the collaborative efforts to create Rotana channels tailored specifically for the Iraqi viewer, incorporating Iraqi DNA, and expressed excitement about penetrating the market legally and backed by strong technology platforms. He concluded, “These are exciting times for all of us, especially the end user.”
