Omdia: Abu Dhabi Media and STARZPLAY Partnership Highlights Growing Broadcaster Collaboration in MENA

Core Insights - The partnership between Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) and STARZPLAY signifies a shift in the MENA media landscape, with broadcasters increasingly opting for collaborations over standalone OTT platforms [2][4] - ADM's digital catalogue, featuring over 5,000 hours of Arabic content, will be exclusively available on STARZPLAY's ad-supported tier, reflecting a trend seen in Europe [3][4] - This collaboration allows ADM to access STARZPLAY's 2.6 million subscribers without incurring the costs of developing its own platform, while STARZPLAY enhances its content offerings with premium Arabic programming [4] Industry Trends - The partnership highlights the growing importance of ad-supported streaming in the MENA region, providing viewers with free access to premium content and creating sustainable revenue-sharing opportunities [5] - Omdia forecasts an increase in similar partnerships in the region over the next 12 to 18 months as local broadcasters adopt global best practices [6]