MBC Group re-launches Shahid.net before Ramadan

MBC Group has re-launched Shahid, the first free video-on-demand website in the Middle East before Ramadan.

The website provides TV series, programmes, cartoons, documentaries from the content of MBC channels as well as other Arabic TV content.

Launched with over 200 titles, the website allows access to prime time show programming, 26 of which are new releases. These will debut in Ramadan and cover almost every genre, from comedy, to drama and religion.

Commenting on the launch, Abe Naga, Online Business Manager at MBC Group, stated: “Shahid is more than just a catch-up service, it is a target destination for premium video content.”

Naga added: “We take pride in having the biggest online TV library in the region that hosts the most popular Arabic TV shows, animated series and documentaries, not to mention flagship Ramadan programs on MBC such as Bab El Hara, TASH, Khawater, as well as prominent Egyptian, Persian, Indian and Turkish series. We also plan to launch titles from studios such as HBO and Warner.”

Shahid.net attracted over 5 million visits during the month of Ramadan last year, and has since clocked up over 30 million visits, as 1 in 5 new visitors to the service convert to regular users.

Shahid users in MENA, USA and Europe like what they see, and with 8 out of 10 returning daily, the service has seen a +111% year-on-year growth in average monthly unique visitors this year, so far (January – May 2011) – tracking well ahead of industry forecasts for the yearly growth in Internet users in MENA.

Naga stated: “This re-launch takes further cognizance of the evolving consumer media landscape by adding more functionality, content and a better user experience.”

This press release was issued by MBC.