MBC Group, the leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa, has officially partnered with Netflix to launch the first regional streaming bundle of its kind through MBCNOW. This strategic alliance merges Netflix’s global catalog with MBC’s Arabic streaming service Shahid and the group’s 17 linear channels under a single subscription model, now available to users in Saudi Arabia with expansion planned across the MENA region later this year.
Bhanu Chaddha, Director of Distribution and TV Products at MBC GROUP, commented: “MBC GROUP’s collaboration with Netflix aims to offer content through a single subscription as part of our efforts to enhance both global and local viewing experiences for audiences in the region.”
Mohammed Al Kuraishi, Head of Business Development and Partnerships, Middle East and Africa at Netflix, said: “We are pleased to partner with MBC GROUP to provide members in Saudi Arabia and across the region with access to our service, which includes international and Arabic shows, movies, documentaries, children’s content, live events, and games.”
Launched earlier in 2025, MBCNOW originally debuted as a content aggregation platform, but this new bundle represents a major leap forward in the region’s streaming landscape. The bundle offers consumers a savings of more than 21% compared to subscribing to Netflix and Shahid separately, a move designed to appeal to price-sensitive but content-hungry audiences in a market increasingly fragmented by multiple services.
The bundle includes global originals from Netflix, premium Arabic dramas and series from Shahid, as well as live events, documentaries, kids’ programming, and general entertainment from MBC’s linear channels.
Netflix, which has until now operated independently in the region, gains significant reach through this localized partnership, tapping directly into MBC’s user base and infrastructure. The move reflects growing trends in content aggregation, where platforms are increasingly seeking simplified access points for users overwhelmed by multiple subscriptions.
The launch positions MBCNOW not just as a regional aggregator, but as a comprehensive digital entertainment hub. Following its rollout in Saudi Arabia, the service is expected to expand to other Gulf countries and North African markets after summer 2025, solidifying MBC Group’s ambition to lead in both local storytelling and global content integration.
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