Netflix & Shahid Launch Middle East's 1st Joint Subscription
This ground‑breaking bundle, launched initially in Saudi Arabia, delivers Netflix's full global library—series, films, documentaries, live events, gaming—alongside Shahid's rich Arabic-language dramas, films, documentaries, and MBC's linear TV channels.
Subscribers can now enjoy this hybrid package through MBCNOW, the entertainment hub launched by MBC earlier in 2025. Shahid continues as a standalone service, but the Netflix‑Shahid bundle is exclusively offered via MBCNOW.
Netflix has never before offered a region-specific bundle with a local OTT service like Shahid. The deal sets a new precedent in cross-platform partnerships.
Viewers get the best of both worlds—Netflix's global content (e.g., Squid Game) and Shahid's award-winning Arabic titles and live TV channels—all accessible under one roof.
Consumers save over 21% compared to subscribing separately to both services. The joint subscription will be immediately available in Saudi Arabia at major retailers and online platforms.
Rollout across the GCC and wider MENA region is slated for after the summer, with specific launch dates pending.
MBCNOW was launched in February 2025, aiming to converge MBC's broadcast channels, Shahid, and now Netflix into one entertainment ecosystem.
This milestone marks a pivotal moment in MENA's streaming landscape—merging global reach with regional storytelling in one accessible, cost-effective bundle.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
5 minutes ago
- Zawya
UAE and Saudi Arabia cement Gulf's dominance in Global ESG sukuk market in H1
Gulf nations dominated global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sukuk activity in the first half of 2025, accounting for over 50% of total issuances, according to a new report by Fitch Ratings. Saudi Arabia and the UAE were the primary drivers of this growth. Globally, outstanding ESG sukuk rose more than 12% year-on-year to reach the equivalent of $50 billion in the first six months of 2025, the rating agency said. Nasdaq Dubai emerged as a key hub for US dollar-denominated ESG sukuk listings, alongside European exchanges such as Frankfurt, London, and Stuttgart. The issuer base increased in the second quarter of 2025, with UAE-headquartered Omniyat Holdings issuing the first green sukuk, rated 'BB-'. The period also saw Saudi Arabia issuing new guidelines for green, social, and sustainability-linked debt instruments. Fitch expects ESG sukuk issuance to moderate in the third quarter of 2025 due to seasonal summer trends in key markets, before rebounding in the last quarter of the year. The global ESG sukuk is likely to surpass $60 billion outstanding by the end of 2026. However, geopolitical risks, evolving Sharia requirements, oil price volatility, and greenwashing concerns are likely to slow ESG sukuk issuance, the report said. Fitch rates about three quarters of the global dollar ESG sukuk market, almost all of which is senior unsecured, and about 1% subordinated.
Zawya
5 minutes ago
- Zawya
IBM-DFF study: Saudi Arabia's thriving AI leadership with CAIO roles
Career backgrounds of Saudi CAIOs show a strong emphasis on data: 75% have focused on data, compared to 73% globally Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – A new study by the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), reveals that Saudi Arabia's approach to AI leadership aligns with global trends while also demonstrating distinct national priorities. The research, which surveyed over 600 Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) across 22 countries, showcases Saudi Arabia's unique strengths and opportunities for growth in AI leadership. "Saudi Arabia's commitment to AI is evident in its adoption of CAIO roles and the support these leaders receive from senior executives," said Fahad Alanazi, General Manager, IBM Saudi Arabia. "This study underscores the Kingdom's strategic focus on AI, as reflected in its governance models, budget control, and a strong emphasis on building business cases for AI investments." Key findings from the study indicate that: 22% of organizations in Saudi Arabia have adopted the CAIO role, aligning closely to the global average (26%). Saudi Arabian CAIOs have strong executive support, with 67% saying they get sufficient backing from the CEO and 83% saying they have broader C-suite support. A clear trend emerges in the professional backgrounds of Saudi CAIOs, with 75% saying they have focused on data in their careers, higher than the global average (73%). Saudi Arabia's governance model stands out, with 50% of organizations adopting a hub-and-spoke AI operating model, reflecting Vision 2030's sector-wide coordination. This aligns with global trends, where organizations using a centralized or hub-and-spoke model can achieve a 36% higher ROI on AI initiatives. The study underscores Saudi Arabia's remarkable progress in AI leadership – Saudi CAIOs presently oversee 67% of AI budgets, outpacing the global average of 61%. Moreover, CAIOs prioritize building business cases for AI, with 58% doing so, above the global average of 45%. The findings also highlight strategic opportunities to further strengthen the country's position. 38% of Saudi CAIOs were appointed from within the organization, below the global average of 57%. Prioritizing internal talent development will cultivate a resilient workforce, ensuring continual growth in AI capabilities. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in AI leadership, these findings serve as a roadmap for honing the country's AI capabilities and maximizing the return on its AI investments. For more information and to access the full study, visit: *Study Methodology The IBM Institute for Business Value (IBM IBV), in cooperation with Oxford Economics and The Dubai Future Foundation conducted a global survey in the first quarter of 2025 to examine the emerging role of CAIOs. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design, collecting responses from 600+ CAIOs or equivalent across 21 industries and 22 countries. The survey examined the role, responsibilities, and challenges faced by CAIOs across organizations, covering the origins of the position, career backgrounds, perceptions of influence and challenges, team structure, and key responsibilities. It also assessed AI initiative performance, impact measurement, organizational strengths in AI governance, and areas for improvement. The IBM IBV and IBM's thought leadership think tank, combines global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: About IBM IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit for more information. Media Contact: Aymen Alfaraj IBM Communications
Zawya
5 minutes ago
- Zawya
NMDC Energy commences fabrication at Ras Al-Khair yard, Saudi Arabia
DAMMAM - NMDC Energy, a leading provider of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for offshore and onshore energy clients, has started fabrication at its advanced yard in Ras Al-Khair, Saudi Arabia. Strategically located within the Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone, the 400,000 square metre fabrication yard is designed to serve both offshore and onshore projects, with an annual production capacity of 40,000 tonnes. Equipped with advanced automation and digital systems, the facility delivers full-spectrum fabrication, rigging, maintenance, and modularisation services for complex energy infrastructure. NMDC Energy has invested AED200 million to create productive and safe facilities at the Ras Al-Khair yard, with the aim of reducing emissions. By embedding advanced technologies, NMDC Energy is delivering advanced solutions that align with the energy sector's needs while helping to support Aramco. Mohamed Hamad Almehairi, Chairman of NMDC Energy, said, 'The launch of fabrication activities in Ras Al-Khair represents a major step forward in our regional expansion strategy. With over 51 years of experience, NMDC Energy is proud to bring its legacy of excellence to the Kingdom, creating new opportunities for prosperity across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the wider region." The yard is already operational – with nine offshore jackets currently in production for long-standing client Aramco – as NMDC Energy continues to deliver complex fabrication in the Kingdom, in line with national industrial and localization goals. The milestone broadens NMDC's client base across the Kingdom and supports Saudi Vision 2030 by adding strategic industrial capacity. To enable seamless execution across projects, more than 1,800 experienced employees will be mobilised from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia, ensuring rigorous quality control and the smooth delivery of advanced infrastructure projects. The Ras Al-Khair yard is central to NMDC Energy's Saudi strategy and localization roadmap. Over the past five years, the company has reinvested billions of riyals into the Saudi economy and is on track to increase its In-Kingdom Total Value Add (iktva) score to 39 percent by 2025 and 51 percent by 2028. As an anchor tenant in the Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone, NMDC Energy supports further trade, investment, and employment growth in Saudi Arabia. NMDC Energy plans to leverage the full capabilities of the Ras Al-Khair yard to enable joint innovations and shared prosperity across the energy and manufacturing sectors.
