Latest news with #JoeKawkabani
Broadcast Pro
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Discovery+ now available on OSN+ in MENA
This follows the extension of OSN's exclusive commercial partnership with HBO in January 2024. Warner Bros. Discovery's premium real-life entertainment streaming service, discovery+, is now officially available on OSN+, further strengthening the platform's position as the premier destination for Warner Bros. Discovery content in the MENA region. This expansion builds on the enhanced partnership between OSN and Warner Bros. Discovery, following the January 2024 extension of their exclusive HBO deal, which granted OSN+ subscribers access to the Warner Bros. film catalogue, Max Originals and exclusive Pay 1 releases. With the addition of discovery+, OSN+ now offers an even more diverse content lineup, combining HBO's award-winning storytelling, Warner Bros. and DC blockbusters, and discovery+'s renowned factual and reality programming—all under a single subscription. Joe Kawkabani, CEO of OSN Group, commented: 'We are thrilled to expand our arrangement with Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing their compelling real-life entertainment content to our subscribers on OSN+. This launch underscores the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision for shaping the future of streaming in MENA.' Jamie Cooke, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Central Europe, Turkey and Middle East at Warner Bros. Discovery said: 'We are delighted to complement our existing Warner Bros. Discovery offering on OSN+ with discovery+. OSN+ subscribers can now enjoy even more Warner Bros. Discovery content, whenever and wherever they want. We are always looking for new ways to deliver our content to fans, and this extension of our existing relationship with OSN+ is another great example of how we continue evolving our offering to reach audiences how they want to watch.' Subscribers can enjoy a variety of discovery + originals like On The Roam with Jason Momoa, Louder: The Soundtrack of Change and the exclusive political docuseries Trump: Unprecedented. Alongside the originals, the platform will also feature global franchises such as Gold Rush, Wheeler Dealers, Deadliest Catch, 90 Day Fiancé, Dr Pimple Popper and Chopped together with the local flavour of Fatafeat's Arabic Food.
Campaign ME
08-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Discovery+ joins OSN+ platform in latest streaming expansion
OSN+ has expanded its streaming offer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by adding Discovery+, the entertainment platform from Warner Bros. Discovery to its roster. This development follows the extension of OSN's exclusive commercial partnership with HBO in January 2024. The agreement, which already included access to Warner Bros. films, Max Originals, and Pay 1 features, now incorporates discovery+ content as part of the broader Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) portfolio available through OSN+. Commenting on the development, Joe Kawkabani, CEO of OSN Group, commented, 'We are thrilled to expand our arrangement with Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing their compelling real-life entertainment content to our subscribers on OSN+. This launch underscores the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision for shaping the future of streaming in MENA.' The inclusion of Discovery+ strengthens OSN+'s positioning as a key premier home for Warner Bros. Discovery content in the MENA region. With Discovery+'s line-up of documentary, lifestyle, and reality series, the streaming platform now houses a wide range of programming from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, and DC Studios. Jamie Cooke, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Central Europe, Turkey and Middle East at Warner Bros. Discovery said, 'We are delighted to complement our existing Warner Bros. Discovery offering on OSN+ with discovery+. OSN+ subscribers can now enjoy even more Warner Bros. Discovery content, whenever and wherever they want. 'We are always looking for new ways to deliver our content to fans, and this extension of our existing relationship with OSN+ is another great example of how we continue evolving our offering to reach audiences how they want to watch.' Programmes now available via OSN+ include discovery+ originals such as On The Roam with Jason Momoa and Louder: The Soundtrack of Change, alongside docuseries like Trump: Unprecedented. Popular franchises including Gold Rush, 90 Day Fiancé, Deadliest Catch, and Wheeler Dealers are also available, in addition to Fatafeat's Arabic-language cooking content.
Arab News
28-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Warner Bros. Discovery investment in OSN Streaming signals broader industry shift, says CEO
DUBAI: Warner Bros. Discovery this week announced a minority investment in OSN Streaming in a move that 'reinforces its commitment to the region's rapidly growing streaming landscape.' The deal is reportedly valued at $57 million for a third of OSN Streaming. It will take place in phases and is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. Joe Kawkabani, OSN's group CEO, said the deal 'signals a broader shift in the industry' as global players recognize 'that substantial growth in the Middle East and North Africa region requires more than just exporting content.' He told Arab News: 'It's about investing in local platforms, collaborating with regional talent, and tailoring content specifically to the market. That's precisely what we're doing here, and I believe it sets a new standard for successful partnerships in the region.' Warner Bros. Discovery opened its first office in the region in Dubai in 2012. The investment reflects its 'prioritization of working with the best creative talent, advancing technologies and forging key partnerships to fuel continued growth.' It also serves as an opportunity for the company to 'deepen their regional presence through a trusted platform that truly understands the market's nuances,' Kawkabani said. The two companies have had a long-standing history, with OSN being the exclusive home for HBO content in the region. Just last year, OSN acquired the rights to all first-run Max Originals and the full Warner Bros. Pictures feature film library as part of a multi-year deal. Jamie Cooke, executive vice president and managing director for Central Europe, Turkey and Middle East, at Warner Bros. Discovery said this was a 'natural step' for the company, as 'OSN has been a great partner and custodian of our content.' He added: 'We recognize that alongside enjoying the latest global hits, regional audiences also want stories from and about the region that reflect their own cultures and experiences.' Kawkabani highlighted the importance of the MENA market on the global map. He said: 'It is no longer a peripheral market — it's becoming central to the future of streaming. Our role is to drive this transformation from within the region, not just import it from the outside.' Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key player in the region's media and entertainment industry. In 2018, the Kingdom announced it would invest $64 billion in its entertainment sector over the coming decade. Since then, it has implemented several initiatives and investments to bolster these sectors. Most recently, in January, Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority unveiled 29 investment opportunities aimed at expanding the entertainment landscape while fostering private sector participation and aligning with Vision 2030 objectives. Saudi Arabia is 'one of the most exciting and dynamic entertainment markets in the world right now' and the deal 'aligns seamlessly with Saudi Arabia's broader vision for its entertainment sector — one that prioritizes creativity, local talent, and global collaboration,' said Kawkabani. 'We view Saudi Arabia not just as a key market but as a creative hub that can lead the region forward,' he added. Going forward, the deal will see the two companies invest in 'high-quality, locally produced content, ensuring a richer and more diverse offering for viewers,' according to Cooke. For OSN, Kawkabani said it wasn't just about content licensing or capital, but rather about 'two companies aligning on a vision to sustainably grow the regional streaming market in a way that resonates locally.' He added: 'We're not here to follow trends; we're here to shape them.'
Wamda
24-03-2025
- Business
- Wamda
Warner Bros. invests $57 million in OSN+ for minority stake
UAE-based entertainment streaming platform OSN+, a subsidiary of OSN Group, has raised $57 million from Warner Bros Discovery for an approximate 30% equity stake in the company. The deal will see both firms invest in locally produced content as they seek to court regional viewers. In December, OSN Group invested $55 million in Lebanon-founded music streaming app Anghami Inc. Warner Bros. Discovery is taking a minority stake in Dubai-based OSN Streaming Ltd. in a bid to capture a slice of the fast-growing Middle Eastern entertainment market. Warner Bros. will pay $57 million for about a third of OSN Streaming, Joe Kawkabani, chief executive officer of parent OSN Group, said in an interview. The transaction will be done in stages and is still subject to regulatory approvals, according to a joint statement. OSN provides global and local TV series and films, and the unit Warner Bros. is investing in offers streaming services. The deal will see both firms invest in locally produced content as they seek to court regional viewers, as well as explore synergies, according to Kawkabani. 'Whether it's a production of content, or expanding our content library, or creating better content, this is really the angle of the deal,' Kawkabani said. The investment cements a series of partnerships between both firms. OSN inked a multi-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros.-owned HBO in 2022 to exclusively broadcast and stream content from the American pay TV network. It also secured the exclusive rights to Warner Bros.' film catalogue last year. 'I think now we can look into ways where we can expand that offering,' Kawkabani said, adding that the new partnership would probably facilitate all of these discussions, but they would be done on separate commercial terms.
The National
24-03-2025
- Business
- The National
Warner Bros invests in Dubai's OSN in Middle East streaming drive
Warner Bros Discovery announced a minority investment in Dubai's OSN Streaming driving its presence in the Middle East. The deal will 'reinforce its commitment to the region's fast-growing landscape' the US global media and entertainment conglomerate said on Monday. Warner Bros will pay $57 million for a third of OSN Streaming, known to viewers as OSN Plus, according to Joe Kawkabani, chief executive of parent company OSN Group, in a Bloomberg interview. The deal will be conducted in stages and is subject to conditions that include regulatory approvals. 'OSN has been a great partner and custodian of our content, making this a natural step for WBD,' said Jamie Cooke, executive vice president and managing director for Central Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East at Warner Bros. 'Through this deal, we're delighted to announce that both OSN and Warner Bros Discovery will invest in high-quality, locally produced content, ensuring a richer and more diverse offering for viewers,' he added. Mr Kawkabani said OSN will be able to expand its investment in local content and 'broaden its reach beyoned MENA to global audience' on back of the deal. The partnership between the two companies extends years before today's announcement. In May of last year, OSN signed a deal with Warner Bros that guaranteed it exclusive regional rights to all new content from Max Originals and first premiere rights to Warner Bros Pictures. This opened the path for major films such as Barbie and D une: Part Two to be on OSN platforms. OSN Streaming merged with regional home-grown brand, the Nasdaq-listed Anghami in late 2023, where OSN Group paid $50 million. The deal was set to bring in $100 million, 120 million registered users, and also 2.5 million paying customers. Before that, the Dubai-based streamer signed a multiyear licensing agreement with HBO, owned by Warner Bros., to stream content from the American pay TV network in 2022. This is in addition to exclusive film catalogue rights last year. OSN Group currently operates in 22 countries offering local TV series and films delivering content over multiple platforms including OSN+ and Anghami. Warner Bros is available in more than 220 countries and includes products such as CNN, Discovery Channel and TNT Sports.
