Top streaming services that are not Netflix or Prime
Owner: MBC Group.
Launched: 2008.
Headquarters: Dubai, UAE.
Head: Sam Barnett, CEO, MBC Group.
Subscription: AED 19.99 per month in Dubai; $8.99 a month or $79.99 a year in the US and $9.99 a month or $89.99 a year in Canada
MBC Group’s streaming platform Shahid caters to a wide audience with two versions, the free service and the premium paid version, Shahid VIP.
Shahid was among the first local streaming services to be launched in the region. It rebranded in 2020 at a grand ceremony held at the Dubai Opera. As part of the rebrand campaign, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was lit up with the slogan “It’s our time.”
It also announced its North America launch in the same year, making it the first dedicated Arabic streaming service in North America.
The streaming platform is dedicated to Arabic original content with at least 25 shows confirmed for 2021.
Popular original content: “Nemra Etnein”, “El Omara”, “The Fates Hotel”, “Rashash”, “Karimophobia”