Latest news with #MariaRuaAguete
Broadcast Pro
23-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
MENA streaming market set to hit $1.5bn by 2025: Omdia
The leading streaming service is local player Shahid on 4.4m subscribers, followed by YouTube Premium, Netflix and StarzPlay. The streaming video market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is on track to reach $1.5bn by the end of 2025, with subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) subscriptions projected to surpass 27m. The forecast was revealed by Maria Rua Aguete, Head of Media and Entertainment at Omdia, during her keynote at the Comcast Technology Summit in Dubai. Omdia's latest data shows that both regional and international platforms continue to dominate the SVOD landscape in the region. As of December 2024, the top performers include Shahid with 4.4m subscribers, YouTube Premium with 3.7m, Netflix with 3m and StarzPlay with 2.3m. Platforms like Shahid, Netflix and StarzPlay have secured their leading positions through strong local content strategies and high user engagement. However, YouTube Premium's inclusion reveals a shifting consumer trend, as it now outpaces Netflix in subscriber numbers, reflecting growing demand for flexible, multi-format, ad-free viewing experiences. 'YouTube Premium's momentum in MENA reflects the region's appetite for seamless, ad-free streaming across platforms,' Rua Aguete noted. 'With over 80m users in MENA and 3.7m YouTube Premium video subscribers, the platform is now one of the most significant players in the region's digital media ecosystem. Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of YouTube Premium's top 10 global markets.' In 2024, StarzPlay implemented a strategic shift by streamlining its service tiers – merging standalone sports with entertainment into a single 'Max' bundle. This restructuring resulted in a 30% increase in average revenue per user (ARPU), while maintaining subscriber retention and limiting churn. 'StarzPlay's emphasis on simplification and value-added bundling is driving measurable financial outcomes,' said Rua Aguete. 'It's a strong example of monetization through intelligent product strategy.' Omdia projects that the online video market in MENA will grow more than fivefold, reaching $8.4bn by 2029. Key growth drivers include expanding digital infrastructure, high mobile penetration, and a young, highly engaged population. 'MENA is undergoing a structural shift in digital video consumption,' concluded Rua Aguete. 'The next five years represent a critical opportunity for platforms, investors, and content creators to scale and innovate.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Omdia: SVOD Growth to Drive MENA Streaming Market Past $1.5 Billion in 2025
LONDON, May 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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. SVOD Market Leadership and Competitive Dynamics Omdia's latest research highlights the continued dominance of regional and international platforms in the MENA streaming landscape. As of December 2024, the leading SVOD platforms by market share are: Shahid - 4.4 million subscribers YouTube Premium - 3.7 million* subscribers Netflix - 3.0 million subscribers StarzPlay - 2.3 million subscribers Shahid, Netflix, and StarzPlay lead the MENA SVOD market by share, driven by strong local content strategies and platform engagement. However, when YouTube Premium is included, it surpasses Netflix in subscription volume, signaling shifting consumer preferences toward platforms offering flexible, multi-format streaming experiences. "YouTube Premium's momentum in MENA reflects the region's appetite for seamless, ad-free streaming across platforms," Rua Aguete noted. "With over 80 million users in MENA and 3.7 million YouTube Premium video subscribers, the platform is now one of the most significant players in the region's digital media ecosystem. Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of YouTube Premium's top 10 global markets." StarzPlay: Monetization Through Strategic Realignment In 2024, StarzPlay implemented a strategic shift by streamlining its service tiers - merging standalone sports with entertainment into a single 'Max' bundle. This restructuring resulted in a 30% increase in average revenue per user (ARPU), while maintaining subscriber retention and limiting churn. "StarzPlay's emphasis on simplification and value-added bundling is driving measurable financial outcomes," said Rua Aguete. "It's a strong example of monetization through intelligent product strategy." Market Outlook: An $8.4 Billion Opportunity by 2029 Omdia projects that the online video market in MENA will grow more than fivefold, reaching $8.4 billion by 2029. Key growth drivers include expanding digital infrastructure, high mobile penetration, and a young, highly engaged population. "MENA is undergoing a structural shift in digital video consumption," added Rua Aguete. "The next five years represent a critical opportunity for platforms, investors, and content creators to scale and innovate." Notes to Editors: *Omdia defines YouTube premium subscribers as users actively engaging with the video component of the product. Music-only subscribers and free trial users are excluded. ABOUT OMDIA Omdia, part of Informa TechTarget, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets combined with our actionable insights empower organizations to make smart growth decisions. View source version on Contacts Media Contact Fasiha KhanDirector, PR and
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Omdia: SVOD Growth to Drive MENA Streaming Market Past $1.5 Billion in 2025
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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. SVOD Market Leadership and Competitive Dynamics Omdia's latest research highlights the continued dominance of regional and international platforms in the MENA streaming landscape. As of December 2024, the leading SVOD platforms by market share are: Shahid - 4.4 million subscribers YouTube Premium - 3.7 million* subscribers Netflix - 3.0 million subscribers StarzPlay - 2.3 million subscribers Shahid, Netflix, and StarzPlay lead the MENA SVOD market by share, driven by strong local content strategies and platform engagement. However, when YouTube Premium is included, it surpasses Netflix in subscription volume, signaling shifting consumer preferences toward platforms offering flexible, multi-format streaming experiences. 'YouTube Premium's momentum in MENA reflects the region's appetite for seamless, ad-free streaming across platforms,' Rua Aguete noted. 'With over 80 million users in MENA and 3.7 million YouTube Premium video subscribers, the platform is now one of the most significant players in the region's digital media ecosystem. Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of YouTube Premium's top 10 global markets.' StarzPlay: Monetization Through Strategic Realignment In 2024, StarzPlay implemented a strategic shift by streamlining its service tiers - merging standalone sports with entertainment into a single 'Max' bundle. This restructuring resulted in a 30% increase in average revenue per user (ARPU), while maintaining subscriber retention and limiting churn. 'StarzPlay's emphasis on simplification and value-added bundling is driving measurable financial outcomes,' said Rua Aguete. 'It's a strong example of monetization through intelligent product strategy.' Market Outlook: An $8.4 Billion Opportunity by 2029 Omdia projects that the online video market in MENA will grow more than fivefold, reaching $8.4 billion by 2029. Key growth drivers include expanding digital infrastructure, high mobile penetration, and a young, highly engaged population. 'MENA is undergoing a structural shift in digital video consumption,' added Rua Aguete. 'The next five years represent a critical opportunity for platforms, investors, and content creators to scale and innovate.' Notes to Editors: *Omdia defines YouTube premium subscribers as users actively engaging with the video component of the product. Music-only subscribers and free trial users are excluded. ABOUT OMDIA Omdia, part of Informa TechTarget, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets combined with our actionable insights empower organizations to make smart growth decisions.
Broadcast Pro
07-03-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Netflix set to surpass YouTube in video revenue for first time in 2025
Netflix is on track to overtake YouTube in total video revenue for the first time in 2025, according to exclusive research from Omdia presented at MIP TV London 2025. In 2024, YouTube led the market with $42.5bn in revenue, surpassing Netflix's $39.2bn. However, projections indicate that Netflix will generate $46.2bn in 2025—$43.2bn from subscriptions and $3.2bn from advertising—while YouTube is expected to reach $45.6bn, with $36bn from ads and $9.6bn from YouTube Premium. Netflix and YouTube employ different revenue strategies. Netflix's growing subscriber base is anticipated to exceed 340m paying customers in 2025, with over 600m total viewers. YouTube, meanwhile, continues to dominate in scale, reaching over 2bn users worldwide, leveraging advertising and premium subscriptions for monetization. As streaming competition intensifies, Netflix's expansion into ad-supported models and its strong subscription growth may shift the balance in digital video revenue. Maria Rua Aguete, Senior Research Director at Omdia, said: 'In markets like the US and UK, there is significant overlap between audiences. In the US, 57% of YouTube users are also Netflix subscribers, while in the UK, that number rises to 67%. This dynamic presents opportunities for both platforms.' While often positioned as rivals, YouTube and Netflix are increasingly collaborating rather than competing. 'I see more collaboration than competition between YouTube, Netflix, and other industry players,' Rua Aguete stated. 'Streaming services, broadcasters, and platforms are working together through marketing partnerships, content distribution, and advertising deals.' One key example is Netflix's use of YouTubers to promote the TV series Squid Game, leveraging influencer-driven marketing to attract new subscribers. Meanwhile, YouTube is solidifying its role as a premium content platform, outperforming Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST) services. 'At the end of 2024, YouTube generated seven times more revenue than FAST platforms, $42.5bn versus $6bn,' Rua Aguete explained. 'Major studios are taking notice. Warner Bros., for example, recently released 37 full-length movies for free on YouTube, and we expect to see more partnerships like this in the future.' Looking ahead, YouTube is making a strong push toward TV-like content. 'Large players can turn this to their advantage by entering favorable ad-share agreements or even selling some sponsorship and video inventory directly,' Rua Aguete noted. She also highlighted the growing role of YouTubers in cinema recovery, with influencer-driven promotions becoming an integral part of movie marketing strategies. Another major shift is YouTube's increasing consumption on Connected TVs. 'Viewers are watching YouTube on the big screen more than ever before,' Rua Aguete said. 'This changes the advertising game, making YouTube an even bigger player in premium video.'
