Streaming is about to get a shake-up in the Middle East after Disney+ inked a major bundling agreement with regional giants Shahid and OSN+, bringing the first streaming bundle to the region.
The agreement, which launches Thursday, brings together all three streaming apps under one unified subscription plan, available exclusively on Shahid. The deal effectively gives consumers three streaming services for the price of two, as well as the convenience of unified billing. The bundle brings together Disney+’s vast library of Disney, FX, Hulu, Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar content with Shahid’s unmatched Arabic originals and sport and OSN+’s HBO series and international hits.
The bundle deal is the first-of-its-kind for the region, and shows the rapid growth of streaming in the Middle East, but also gives consumers a chance to streamline their streaming services given the plethora of options available. The agreement also represents a significant shift in Disney’s EMEA distribution strategy. By adding a bundled value proposition and more crucially aligning with Shahid, the MBC Group-owned streaming leader in the region, and Dubai-based OSN+, the deal gives Disney more ammunition as it plays catch-up with global rivals Netflix and Amazon. Disney+ only launched in the Middle East and North Africa in June 2022, whereas Netflix has been available since 2016 and Prime Video has been present in most GCC countries since 2019.
“For over a century, The Walt Disney Company has entertained the world with the greatest stories, which now live on Disney+” said Karl Holmes, senior vp and general manager of Disney+ EMEA, in a statement. “The collaboration between Disney+ and Shahid brings our award-winning series like FX’s Shōgun and iconic, blockbuster movies such Lilo & Stitch into a unique bundle with Shahid’s premium content including Al Dariya. This agreement reflects a shared ambition between Disney+ and Shahid to shape the future of entertainment in the Middle East. The Middle East is young, dynamic and fast-growing, and we’re delighted to give consumers a new and easy way to access extraordinary content at exceptional value”.
Natasha Matos-Hemingway, chief commercial and marketing officer at Shahid, said in a statement: “We are proud to collaborate with OSN+ and Disney+ to offer an unmatched streaming experience to our subscribers. This bundle is a major step in our ongoing mission to simplify and elevate the digital entertainment experience in the region. With one subscription, one payment, and full access to premium content from all three platforms, we’re delivering unbeatable convenience, value, and entertainment.”
And Choucri Khairallah, chief business officer at OSN+, added: “OSN+ has always been at the forefront of premium entertainment in the region, and our partnership with Shahid takes that experience to the next level. Today’s audiences expect more than great content; they seek seamless access, variety and exceptional value. This all-in-one bundle delivers exactly that. From Hollywood blockbusters and exclusive HBO shows to the most extensive Arabic library, it’s the region’s most powerful streaming offering that remains unmatched in quality, convenience and price.”
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