Netflix’s dominance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is predicted to end. A study by Digital TV Research reported that Netflix’s growth in the MENA region will be surpassed by its Saudi Arabia-based rival Shahid VIP. Digital TV Research is a British consultancy organisation that conducts research in this field.
According to the report, while the market is expected to grow from 12 to 26 million subscribers across 13 Arab-origin countries by 2029, Netflix’s growth will be more limited compared to its Saudi competitor, Shahid VIP.
NETFLIX LOSING ITS LEADERSHIP
On one hand, Shahid VIP will overtake streaming leader Netflix, with its subscriber base to rise from 3 million to nearly 6 million by 2029. Netflix which had 3.8 million subscribers at end-2023 is expected to reach 5.6 million subscribers by 2029.
On the other hand, the American VOD StarzPlay is predicted to have subscriber base of 5 million in the next five years, whilst Amazon and Disney+ will have 3.2 million.
OSN will climb up to 1.5 million subscribers and Apple TV+ to only rise to 500,000, according to Digital TV Research’s findings.
Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research, analyzed the phenomenon: “As some of the US-based platforms lower their global rollout and local content commitments, the Arabic players will thrive,” he highlighted.
