The multi-year deal will see collaboration on content offering, co-production of original programming and promotion.
StarzPlay has signed a multi-year partnership with Egypt’s VOD platform Watch IT to bring Arab talent and their most recent works to StarzPlay and Evision audiences, and likewise, Hollywood productions to Watch IT subscribers at no extra cost.
From movies and series to daily talk shows, StarzPlay subscribers will now have access to Watch IT’s entire content library including recent and exclusive Arabic content, with more than 12,000 episodes and over 200 Arabic films added to the library. Watch IT subscribers will also have access to the StarzPlay entertainment catalogue including first-run Hollywood shows and movie premieres as well as popular anime productions.
Commenting on the deal, Nashwa Gad El Hak, Chairwoman and Managing Director of Watch IT, said: “Partnering with StarzPlay is a tremendous opportunity for Watch IT to deliver its content to a wider audience through StarzPlay’s market penetration in the region. It also means that Watch IT subscribers now can access StarzPlay content, bringing greater variety to them. We look forward to expanding our audience within the MENA region, offering them a host of quality Arabic content.”
Maaz Sheikh, CEO and Co-Founder of StarzPlay, added: “We want to make it easy for our audience to find all their favourite content from Hollywood to Arabic under one subscription, without the need to download and pay for multiple apps and services. We are thrilled to partner with Watch IT to offer our fans exceptional Arabic titles. Watch IT has seen huge success and growth in Egypt, and we are committed to expanding in the region and adding value to the overall MENA streaming industry. The addition of Watch IT’s unparalleled Arabic content complements our existing offering of premium Western first-run series, movie premieres, same time as US and Japan series, live sports and anime to meet the entertainment needs of our audience.”
Watch IT titles will be made available on StarzPlay starting February 2023. The partnership highlights both ’parties’ commitment to the Arab consumer, responding to the feedback from their subscribers and ongoing expansion plans. The partnership between StarzPlay and Watch IT also entails a collaboration on original Arabic productions between the two entities.
All Watch IT content will also be available to StarzPlay’s majority stakeholder, e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group), and its business verticals and customers in its operating markets across 16 countries.
