Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

Are you tired of scrolling through a never-ending list of video streaming options with lackluster regional content or nonexistent availability in your location? Look no further because we’ve done the legwork for you and rounded up the best video streaming services in the Middle East. With them, you’ll be able to say goodbye to malware-ridden illegal streaming sites and hello to endless hours of quality entertainment.

Top 5 Most Popular Video Streaming Services In MENA

Subscription video-on-demand (SVoD) services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are attracting new subscribers at a rapid pace. By 2027, revenues from SVoD services are expected to reach a total of $4 billion, and the following players collectively share the biggest slice of the pie.

#1- Netflix

🍿 Number of subscribers in the MENA region: 7.5 million

With its more than 200 million global subscribers and worldwide availability, it’s no surprise that Netflix is the most popular video streaming service in MENA. When it launched in 2007, it single-handedly disrupted the stale movie rental industry by offering a much more convenient alternative powered by the internet.

Today, Netflix offers a wide variety of content to its MENA subscribers, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original programming that you won’t wind anywhere else, such as Wednesday, BoJack Horseman, The Queen’s Gambit, The Crown, The Umbrella Academy, Stranger Things, or The Witcher.

The least expensive Netflix plan costs AED 29 in the United Arab Emirates, and it lets you watch on up to one screen at a time. To consume content on more screens simultaneously, and enjoy better video quality, you can upgrade to two more expensive plans (AED 39 for two screens and AED 56 for four screens).

#2- Starzplay Arabia

🍿 Number of subscribers in the MENA region: 2.1 million

Owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation, Starzplay Arabia is the second most popular video streaming service in the Middle East. The service has a strong focus on Arabic content and offers a wide selection of Arabic films and TV shows, such as Shams Al Shita and Ikhtifaa, but there’s also no shortage of Western movies and TV shows.

Sports fans can enjoy exclusive access to all 380 matches of the Italian league, Serie A, live with Arabic and English commentary, watch live cricket matches, and enjoy many more major international sports events. Starzplay Arabia costs AED 40 a month.

#3- Amazon Prime Video

🍿 Number of subscribers in the MENA region: 2 million

Amazon’s video streaming service is gaining a lot of popularity in the MENA region, and it’s easy to see why. The service is offered as part of Amazon Prime, a paid subscription service that includes Amazon Prime Video, a subscription video-on-demand over-the-top streaming and rental service, as well as free shipping, exclusive shopping deals, and free video games, among other things.

It costs AED 140 a year or AED 16 a month to become a Prime member, and around 2 million people in the MENA region have already decided to sign up. Prime members can watch original shows like The Grand Tour, The Expanse, Homecoming, or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and there’s plenty of third-party content as well.

#4- Disney+

🍿 Number of subscribers in the MENA region: 1.1 million

Disney+ launched in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE, and Yemen only last year, and it already has more than 1 million subscribers. The service provides access to an extensive library of classic Disney films, beloved movies from Pixar and Marvel, the entire Star Wars saga, educational programming from National Geographic, and more.

In the United Arab Emirates, Disney+ costs AED 29.99 a month or AED 298.99 a year. All subscribers can watch on up to four devices at the same time and download an unlimited number of TV shows or movies on up to 10 devices. Robust parental controls are available to help parents ensure their kids can see only age-appropriate content.

#5- MBC Shahid

🍿 Number of subscribers in the MENA region: 1 million

Shahid is a streaming service run by Saudi media conglomerate MBC Group. The service focuses on Arabic content, offering plenty of Arabic movies and TV shows to keep you entertained for a long time, including Confession, Stiletto, Fareed, Heera, and Brando El Sharq.

There are three paid subscription plans you can choose from: VIP (EUR 7.99), VIP | Sports (EUR 12.99), and Ultimate (EUR 15.49). All three plans include Shahid Originals, exclusive series and movie premieres, live TV channels, and Roshn Saudi League, but only the Ultimate plan adds live events, concerts, and more from Riyadh and Jeddah Season.

Other Popular Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

While the big players like Netflix, Starz Play, and Amazon Prime Video dominate the scene, there are plenty of other video streaming services that are worth checking out in the MENA region.

OSN Plus (OSN+)

Headquarters in Dubai, Orbit Showtime Network (OSN) is a multinational entertainment company and the creator of OSN+, a popular SVOD service in the MENA region. Thanks to long-standing partnerships with the likes of HBO, Paramount, and NBC Universal, OSN+ boasts one of the most impressive content libraries out of all services recommended in this article. Besides Hollywood blockbusters, you can also watch exclusive Arabic and Turkish series that are not available anywhere else. Thanks to a free 7-day trial, you can test what OSN+ has to offer without any risk.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is a great choice for those who are already entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. The service is optimized for Apple devices, but it also works great on smart TVs, consoles, or sticks. Apple TV+ has made a name for itself with its award-winning TV show Ted Lasso, which was released in 2020, and the number of highly rated Apple Originals has expanded significantly since then.

Eros Now

No, Eros Now isn’t an adult website. It’s an Indian subscription service that offers more than 12,000 digital titles, including movies, television shows, and music videos. The service is home to some of the most popular Indian blockbuster movies ever made, including Cheeni Kum, Happy Bhag Jayegi, Manmarziyaan, and others. Since 2018, Eros Now has been premiering its own original programs, including short-form video content called Eros Now Quickie.

SonyLIV

SonyLIV is a streaming service that offers a wide range of Indian movies, TV shows, and live sports events. It is a great option for viewers in the Middle East who are fans of Indian cinema and want to stay up-to-date with the latest Bollywood releases. The service is owned by Culver Max Entertainment, an Indian media conglomerate whose parent company is Sony Pictures.

BeIN Connect

BeIN Connect is a video streaming service geared toward sports fans. The service is owned and operated by the Qatari media group beIN, and it has recently provided coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2022. In addition to international football, cricket, and other sports events, BeIN Connect can also offer a decent variety of movies and TV shows. Unfortunately, the mobile app has a lot of bugs, and the overall user experience could definitely be improved.

iQiyi

iQiyi is a Chinese online video platform based in Beijing and Shanghai. It launched in 2010 and has since then gained more than 100 million VIP subscribers. iQiyi can be recommended to all Middle Easterners who like Asian entertainment, including Chinese, Korean, and Thai dramas, Japanese anime, and popular variety shows. The service provides its own original programming, with new titles coming every week.

Conclusion

So there you have it — the best video streaming services in the Middle East. From Netflix’s American hit shows to Starz Play’s Arabic dramas to Disney+’s family-friendly content and much more, the world of subscription video-on-demand services in the Middle East and North Africa region has something for everyone. But don’t just take our word for it; give these streaming services a try to see which of them can satisfy your viewing needs and desires the best. Happy streaming!