Saudi paid streaming subscribers (Shahid)

Before

Arabic-language streaming was nascent. Saudi audiences relied heavily on imported content.

Initiative

MBC, headquartered in Saudi, repositioned Shahid as a paid streaming platform with original Arabic content — approximately 40% Saudi-language originals.

Outcome

Approximately 5 million paid Saudi subscribers now use Shahid. Direct Saudi-media employment is 50-70K workers.

For citizens

Saudi stories, in Saudi dialects, on Saudi screens. A media industry now produces and distributes content for and by Saudi audiences.