Industry

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) streaming video market is projected to reach $1.5 billion by the end of 2025, with subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) subscriptions crossing 27 million, according to new insights released by Maria Rua Aguete, Head of Media and Entertainment at Omdia, during her keynote address at the Comcast Technology Summit in Dubai, held in conjunction with CABSAT 2025.

According to Omdia’s analysis, the MENA streaming ecosystem continues to be led by a mix of regional and global players, with Shahid, YouTube Premium, Netflix, and StarzPlay taking the top spots. As of December 2024, Shahid leads with 4.4 million subscribers, closely followed by YouTube Premium with an estimated 3.7 million video subscribers, Netflix with 3 million, and StarzPlay with 2.3 million. The growing relevance of YouTube Premium reflects shifting consumer habits, particularly in markets like Saudi Arabia, which now ranks among the platform’s top ten globally. Rua Aguete emphasized that YouTube’s success in the region underlines a strong preference for ad-free, cross-platform viewing experiences that combine video, music, and mobile accessibility.

One of the standout stories from the report is StarzPlay’s successful repositioning. In 2024, the platform merged its standalone sports and entertainment offerings into a single ‘Max’ bundle. This strategic simplification drove a 30 percent increase in average revenue per user while maintaining retention rates and limiting churn, reinforcing how bundled services and product clarity can enhance monetization without alienating users.

Looking further ahead, Omdia projects that the online video market in MENA will grow fivefold over the next four years, reaching $8.4 billion by 2029. With robust digital infrastructure, high mobile penetration, and one of the world’s youngest and most digitally engaged populations, the region offers fertile ground for streaming innovation. Rua Aguete concluded that the next five years will be critical for platforms, investors, and content creators aiming to scale their presence in one of the fastest-growing media markets in the world.