While most streaming platforms in the Arab world have been promoting themselves extensively in the market, one streamer has preferred to stay under the radar.
Ramadan will soon be upon us, and we have started to see some new announcements from streamers and broadcasters on the specials they plan to unveil during this period. Saudi Broadcasting Authority even came to Dubai to make a noise about its Ramadan programming. Hot on everyone’s list of new launches are original productions and then, before we know it, there will be a mad rush for eyeballs.
One player that has opted out of this equation is Shofha, a UAE-based platform with strong ties to the Egyptian market, as it is a product of ArpuPlus, part of parent company A15. Shofha has stayed under the radar for a long time, quietly building its assets and subscribers, catering to people in the middle and lower half of the pyramid and getting along quite handsomely, from what CEO Medhat Karam says.
Karam also heads ArpuPlus, a major venture builder and a top provider of digital entertainment and communication services for clients inside and outside the MENA region. Shofha is being prepped for an eventual sale, so while Karam is cautious about sharing too many numbers, the one impressive figure he shared is that the platform is integrated with 30 telco operators across the MENA region. That is no small feat and seems to be having the desired effect in attracting subscribers, from what Karam has disclosed.
In other OTT news, Netflix has slashed subscription rates by 50% in some MENA countries, though not the more privileged Arab countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This is an indication that things are further heating up in the streaming space. We were equally excited to see the result of a partnership between StarzPlay and Image Nation, which resulted in the streamer’s first attempt at a horror original – and it doesn’t disappoint.
Speaking of streaming, the next BroadcastPro virtual summit is around the corner. If you haven’t yet registered to attend our Future of Sports Broadcasting Summit at https://2023.fsbsummit.com, this is your last chance. Happy streaming!
