Arabic SVOD subscriptions to reach 28 million by 2029

There will be 28 million SVOD subscriptions across 13 Arabic countries by 2029, up from 15 million in 2023, according to a report from analyst firm Digital TV Research.
Netflix will still lead the market, but local players will provide a strong challenge.
StarzPlay, Shahid VIP and OSN+ will account for 46% of the Arabic total subscriptions by 2029 – collectively adding 4.7 million subscribers from 2023.
Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “As some of the US-based platforms lower their global rollout and local content commitments, the Arabic players will thrive.”

Bahrain OTT TV & video

OTT TV & video revenues are forecast to reach $90 million by 2029, up from $50 million in 2023. AVOD revenues will reach $15 million by 2029, triple from $6 million
in 2023.
SVOD will contribute $66 million in 2029, up from $39 million in 2023. There will be 668,000 gross SVOD subscriptions by 2029 compared with 418,000 at end-2023.
About 72% of TV households will pay for at least one SVOD subscription by 2029.
The report forecasts that Netflix, launched in January 2016, will have 168,000 subscribers by 2029; up from 135,000 at end-2023.

Amazon Prime Video, which started operations in November 2016 as part of its global rollout, is predicted to have 49,000 subscribers by 2029.
Apple TV+ ($7.99/month) started in Bahrain with its global rollout in November 2019. The report predicts 15,000 subscribers by 2029.
Disney+ ended its distribution deal with OSN in June 2022 by starting as a standalone platform ($8.99/month, $88.99/year). The report forecasts 75,000 subs by 2029.
HBO Max and Paramount+ are not expected to start in the Arabic-speaking countries due to their deals with OSN.
OSN+ launched its SVOD platform in August 2017. With 10,000 hours on offer, OSN+ carries Paramount+, NBCUniversal and HBO content. It costs BHD4- 10/month.
The report forecasts 70,000 subscribers by 2029. OSN signed a distribution agreement with Netflix in February 2018 and another with STC in June 2018. OSNtv Connect offers 43 linear channels and access to OSN+.
Transmitting in English, Arabic and French, StarzPlay has more than 6,000 hours of Hollywood content as well as 2,000 hours of Arabic content. Discovery+ is available as a branded content block. The report forecasts 129,000 subscribers in Bahrain by 2029, up from 90,000 at end-2023.
MBC’s Shahid VIP (BHD3.99/month) provides 10 linear channels as well as 20,000 hours of on-demand content. Shahid has promised original content. Shahid also distributes Fox Plus. Shahid VIP is carried by mobile operators STC and Zain (BHD3/month). The report forecasts 119,000 subscribers by 2029, up from 81,000 at end-2023. Shahid is its AVOD platform.