SVOD boom to push MENA streaming market beyond $1.5 billion in 2025

The streaming video market across the Middle East and North Africa is set to surpass $1.5 billion by the end of 2025, propelled by the surge in subscription video-on-demand growth. 

According to Omdia’s latest research, SVOD subscriptions across MENA are expected to cross 27 million by year-end. Local and international platforms continue to shape the digital landscape, with Shahid, YouTube Premium, Netflix, and StarzPlay leading the race in market share.

As of December 2024, Shahid tops the region with 4.4 million subscribers, followed by YouTube Premium with 3.7 million*, Netflix at 3 million, and StarzPlay with 2.3 million. The inclusion of YouTube Premium—widely adopted in Saudi Arabia, now one of its top ten global markets—reflects the region's growing preference for ad-free, multi-format streaming experiences.

‘YouTube Premium’s momentum in MENA reflects the region’s appetite for seamless, ad-free streaming across platforms’ noted Rua Aguete, highlighting the platform’s broader user base of over 80 million across the region.

A standout success story is StarzPlay, which in 2024 restructured its offerings by bundling sports and entertainment content into a unified 'Max' package. The move resulted in a 30% boost in average revenue per user (ARPU), while keeping churn under control. ‘StarzPlay’s emphasis on simplification and value-added bundling is driving measurable financial outcomes’ Rua Aguete emphasized.

Looking further ahead, Omdia forecasts a seismic expansion in MENA’s online video market, projecting it to grow over fivefold and reach $8.4 billion by 2029. The transformation is attributed to robust digital infrastructure, high mobile penetration, and a young, digitally fluent population eager for content.

‘MENA is undergoing a structural shift in digital video consumption. The next five years represent a critical opportunity for platforms, investors, and content creators to scale and innovate’ Rua Aguete added.

FF