The first episode of 'Play it Forward with YouTube' will be released tonight, January 31.
YouTube has announced the launch of a special edition of its flagship video and podcast series in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, titled Hekayat YouTube. This new season aims to spotlight Saudi youth today, fostering dialogue between decision-makers and Generation Z in the Kingdom by bringing together influential Saudi YouTube creators and public figures.
The diverse lineup for the new season includes top Saudi creators from various fields, including lifestyle, health, technology, and investment. Notable figures such as Beeko, Faisal Alsaif, Sukkari Life, and Faris Alturki will delve into topics resonating with Saudi youth. Discussions will revolve around themes like the future of jobs and artificial intelligence, well-being, quality of life, the creator economy, and sports. Guests feature influential members from both the public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia, including representatives from the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (Dr. Raied Aljadaany), the Quality of Life Programme (Noura Alyusuf), and leaders in the private sector, such as Kaswara Al-Khatib in the creator economy and Haya Sawan in sports.
Speaking about the series, Tarek Amin, YouTube’s Director in MENA, said: “YouTube is a reflection of what’s top of mind for Saudi youth thanks to our vibrant creator community in the Kingdom. They’ve built communities around topics that matter to them and their audience. This is why we decided to use Hekayat YouTube as a platform for our creators to engage with decision-makers on these topics and to help them share their experiences with the world.”
With 63% of Saudis under the age of 30, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics, the YouTube data underscores the platform’s significant reach. In December 2022, YouTube engaged with over 20m Saudis over the age of 18, with an average daily watch time exceeding 55 minutes in June 2022.
The five-episode series is accessible on YouTube Arabia’s YouTube, participating creator’s channels, and major podcast platforms including Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anghami, and Deezer. The debut episode of Play it Forward with YouTube is set to release on January 31, premiering on Ana Beeko’s YouTube channel, YouTube Arabia’s YouTube Channel, and various podcast platforms, with subsequent episodes scheduled for release weekly.
