• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • TV/Radio Deals
  • Film partnerships
  • New appointments
  • Production
  • TV Channels

Shahid announces 27m unique monthly users, 23% up from previous year

June 19, 2019
How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

May 20, 2025
Ad 1 Ad 3
How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

May 20, 2025
Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

May 20, 2025
The expanding role of AI in broadcast

The expanding role of AI in broadcast

May 20, 2025
Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

May 20, 2025
Sonos debuts in Saudi Arabia as headline sponsor of SLS Expo 2025

Sonos debuts in Saudi Arabia as headline sponsor of SLS Expo 2025

May 20, 2025
Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

May 20, 2025
TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

May 20, 2025
Sony Pictures Television signs deal with Turkey’s Sinema TV

SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

May 20, 2025
Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

May 19, 2025
Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

May 19, 2025
Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

May 19, 2025
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Magazine Archive
  • Directory
  • Contact
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
  • Login
BroadcastPro ME
  • News
    • All
    • Analyst Reports
    • AV
    • Cinema Theatres
    • Esports
    • Film partnerships
    • International News
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • New appointments
    • OTT/Video Streaming
    • Podcasting
    • Production
    • Satellite/Comms
    • TV/Radio Deals
    How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

    How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

    How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

    How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

    Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

    Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

    Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

    Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

    Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

    Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

    TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

    TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

    Sony Pictures Television signs deal with Turkey’s Sinema TV

    SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

    Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

    Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

    Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

    Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

    Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

    Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

    Trending Tags

    • broadcast
    • MENA broadcast
    • ConnecTech2019
  • Tech Features
    • All
    • CASE STUDIES
    • New Media
    • REVIEWS
    • TV/Radio Deals
    • Updates from FOMEX
    • Virtual Production Series
    The expanding role of AI in broadcast

    The expanding role of AI in broadcast

    The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

    The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

    Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

    Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part IV

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part III

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

    Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

    Media leaders embrace digital transformation

    Media leaders embrace digital transformation

    Broadcasting beyond borders

    Broadcasting beyond borders

    Trending Tags

    • Videos
      Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

      Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

      Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

      Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

      Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

      Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

      Reema Omari

      Reema Omari on Universal Satcom’s growth and connectivity solutions

      Mustafa Afifi

      Mustafa Afifi of Rivada Space on Outernet’s impact in the Middle East

      Don

      ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen on Mideast ties and satellite strategy

      KSASummit

      Transforming Arabic Content: Studios, Producers and Regional Impact

      Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

      Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

      The Power of Podcasts & Audio Streaming in Saudi Arabia

      The Power of Podcasts & Audio Streaming in Saudi Arabia

    • Opinion
      YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

      YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

      Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

      Sport’s Growing Grip on MENA Media

      MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

      MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

      Integrate ME 2023 brings its inaugural edition to successful conclusion

      Empowering the next generation of content creation and live broadcasting with AV PRO

      Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

      Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

      Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

      Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

      Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

      Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

      Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

      Saudi Arabia emerges as the epicentre of Media & Entertainment in 2025

      Film and Beyond: Leapfrogging into the global screen industry

      Film and Beyond: Leapfrogging into the global screen industry

      Staying Safe and Ensuring Continuity with Cloud Playout

      Staying Safe and Ensuring Continuity with Cloud Playout

    • Interviews
      • All
      • Lounge
      Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

      Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

      New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

      New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

      Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

      Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

      UAE Pro League flips the field

      UAE Pro League flips the field

      Bringing the wild to the Middle East

      Bringing the wild to the Middle East

      Shades of success

      Shades of success

      Navigating the news wave

      Navigating the news wave

      From archive to asset

      From archive to asset

      Clarity in motion

      Clarity in motion

      Using AI to keep history real

      Using AI to keep history real

    • Products
    • Magazine Archive
      • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
      • PRO Directory
    • Events
      • News from Events
      • Upcoming Events
      DICM

      DICM

      IBC Show

      IBC 2025

      MPTS

      CABSAT2025

      CABSAT2025

      NAB Show

    No Result
    View All Result
    BroadcastPro ME
    • News
      • All
      • Analyst Reports
      • AV
      • Cinema Theatres
      • Esports
      • Film partnerships
      • International News
      • Mergers/Acquisitions
      • New appointments
      • OTT/Video Streaming
      • Podcasting
      • Production
      • Satellite/Comms
      • TV/Radio Deals
      How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

      How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

      How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

      How the UAE is forging a new frontier in space technology

      Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

      Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

      Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

      Qualcomm and e& join forces to advance UAE’s 5G and edge AI

      Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

      Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

      TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

      TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

      Sony Pictures Television signs deal with Turkey’s Sinema TV

      SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

      Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

      Strata Manufacturing delivers first batch of 24 T-Foils for SailGP’s F50

      Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

      Qatar launches national initiative to mark ITU’s 160th anniversary

      Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

      Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

      Trending Tags

      • broadcast
      • MENA broadcast
      • ConnecTech2019
    • Tech Features
      • All
      • CASE STUDIES
      • New Media
      • REVIEWS
      • TV/Radio Deals
      • Updates from FOMEX
      • Virtual Production Series
      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

      The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part IV

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part III

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

      Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

      Media leaders embrace digital transformation

      Media leaders embrace digital transformation

      Broadcasting beyond borders

      Broadcasting beyond borders

      Trending Tags

      • Videos
        Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

        Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

        Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

        Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

        Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

        Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

        Reema Omari

        Reema Omari on Universal Satcom’s growth and connectivity solutions

        Mustafa Afifi

        Mustafa Afifi of Rivada Space on Outernet’s impact in the Middle East

        Don

        ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen on Mideast ties and satellite strategy

        KSASummit

        Transforming Arabic Content: Studios, Producers and Regional Impact

        Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

        Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

        The Power of Podcasts & Audio Streaming in Saudi Arabia

        The Power of Podcasts & Audio Streaming in Saudi Arabia

      • Opinion
        YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

        YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

        Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

        Sport’s Growing Grip on MENA Media

        MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

        MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

        Integrate ME 2023 brings its inaugural edition to successful conclusion

        Empowering the next generation of content creation and live broadcasting with AV PRO

        Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

        Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

        Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

        Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

        Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

        Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

        Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

        Saudi Arabia emerges as the epicentre of Media & Entertainment in 2025

        Film and Beyond: Leapfrogging into the global screen industry

        Film and Beyond: Leapfrogging into the global screen industry

        Staying Safe and Ensuring Continuity with Cloud Playout

        Staying Safe and Ensuring Continuity with Cloud Playout

      • Interviews
        • All
        • Lounge
        Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

        Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

        New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

        New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

        Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

        Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

        UAE Pro League flips the field

        UAE Pro League flips the field

        Bringing the wild to the Middle East

        Bringing the wild to the Middle East

        Shades of success

        Shades of success

        Navigating the news wave

        Navigating the news wave

        From archive to asset

        From archive to asset

        Clarity in motion

        Clarity in motion

        Using AI to keep history real

        Using AI to keep history real

      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
        • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
        • PRO Directory
      • Events
        • News from Events
        • Upcoming Events
        DICM

        DICM

        IBC Show

        IBC 2025

        MPTS

        CABSAT2025

        CABSAT2025

        NAB Show

      No Result
      View All Result
      BroadcastPro ME
      No Result
      View All Result
      AMT Ad SimplyLive Ad ibc Ad Rossvideo Ad
      Home News

      Shahid announces 27m unique monthly users, 23% up from previous year

      Staff Reporter by Staff Reporter
      June 19, 2019
      in News, TV/Radio Deals
      ShareTweetPostEmail

      The surge in viewers is credited to an increased lineup of content especially during Ramadan, improvements to the production and technology, and a better digital strategy. MBC will accelerate investment in Shahid in H2 2019.

      MBC Group’s Video On Demand (VOD) platform, Shahid, has witnessed a surge in viewers and subscribers in recent months, in line with the Group’s robust growth strategy for the next five years for Shahid.

      As of the end of Ramadan 2019, Shahid had 27m unique monthly users, an increase in audience of more than 23% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the content on Shahid’s platforms has accumulated more than 248m views, an increase of 46% compared to last year on Shahid, and an increase of 62% of Shahid PLUS paid subscribers.

      During the month of Ramadan, Shahid added a total of 50 premium programmes and shows to its offering, 28 of which are exclusive to the platform, including popular programmes, such as Al Hayba 3, Zelzal, Dof’at Al Qahera, Weld Al Ghalaba, Khamsa Wa Nos, Al-Asouf 2, Zay Al Shams, and Kalabsh 3 – some of the most talked-about and most popular current TV productions in the region.

      Since the beginning of Ramadan, Shahid PLUS subscribers have also been able to take advantage of a big collection of premium content for young viewers, such as Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Kung Fu Panda and more, with catch-up of MBC3 programmes right after airing available for all users even without subscription.

      During the first weeks of the holy month, the number of downloads of the Shahid mobile app was up by four times in comparison to regular monthly volumes, despite the fact that for years Shahid has enjoyed the highest mobile app penetration rate in the region, with the Shahid iOS and Android apps installed on more devices than any competitor by a considerable margin, according to the mobile analytics and market data platform, App Annie.

      Johannes Larcher, Managing Director, MBC Digital commented: “We announced major changes to our strategy and level of investment in Shahid early in 2019, and our solid performance during the first five months of 2019, including Ramadan, proves that audiences across MENA love where we are taking our service.

      “Besides being the undisputed home of the most compelling content for Arabic-language TV lovers, the upgraded technology behind our services has been a key factor of Shahid’s success.”

      Since January, Shahid has made significant progress in improving its offerings’ ease of use, viewing quality, speed and reliability of streaming, and discoverability of relevant content for its users. Viewers were particularly pleased with the introduction of ‘Full HD’ streaming and the ability to play Shahid content from their mobile phones on large-screen TVs using newly introduced Chromecast and AirPlay functionality.

      In terms of use outside of MENA, Larcher revealed that the service continues to see a steady increase in usage for both Shahid free to watch and subscription content.

      “We serve Arabic audiences worldwide, and to better achieve this mission we have recently provided Shahid users outside MENA with the opportunity to access the most popular regular MBC programes, with the first episode of every series available on the service for free, including recently added series and shows for Ramadan 2019,” Larcher said. “As a result, we’ve seen growth of 42% in unique users outside the MENA region by Arab diaspora audiences.’

      Larcher also credits a comprehensive marketing strategy as part of the growth of Shahid, stating: “This year, we announced our Ramadan programming grid well before the beginning of the holy month through exclusive promotion on the special portal ramadan.Shahid.net. This was run in parallel with daily interaction with viewers across MBC’s various social media platforms. We also connected viewers with some of the region’s most prominent social media influencers.

      Looking towards the second half of 2019, Larcher added: “We aim to further develop and expand our viewership in the coming period, with locally-produced original content created exclusively for Shahid, plus continued efforts to make Shahid more accessible and easier to use for our viewers.”

      Based on its performance during Ramadan, MBC claimed that Shahid is the largest premium VOD service in the world outside of China, the USA, and India, and in terms of a pure OTT player, Shahid has a market share of about 85% on premium VOD viewership across MENA.

       

      Tags: featuredpostMBC GroupRamadanShahid

      Related Posts

      Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

      Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

      May 20, 2025
      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      May 20, 2025
      Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

      Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

      May 20, 2025
      TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

      TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

      May 20, 2025
      Sony Pictures Television signs deal with Turkey’s Sinema TV

      SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

      May 20, 2025
      Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

      Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

      May 19, 2025

      Related News

      Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

      Asghar Farhadi to lead screenwriting and directing masterclass in Dubai

      May 20, 2025
      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      May 20, 2025
      Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

      Fionnuala Halligan joins Red Sea Film Foundation as Director of Int’l Programmes

      May 20, 2025
      TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

      TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi

      May 20, 2025
      SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

      SunStreet and Harbor House partner to expand Gulf media presence

      May 20, 2025
      Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

      Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round

      May 19, 2025
      More Related News

      BroadcastPro ME

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Subscribe
      • Magazine Archive
      • Directory
      • Contact
      • Privacy

      Follow us on Social Media

      No Result
      View All Result
      • News
      • Tech Features
      • Videos
      • Opinion
      • Interviews
      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
        • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
        • PRO Directory
      • Events

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password?

      Create New Account!

      Fill the forms bellow to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In