News

Warner Bros. Discovery Invests In OSN Streaming To Expand MENA Reach

The move follows an exclusive deal between OSN and HBO in 2022 and its recent acquisition of a majority stake in music platform Anghami.

Published

3 days ago

March 24, 2025

Nour Nasir

warner bros discovery invests in osn streaming to expand mena reach

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has acquired a stake in OSN Streaming Limited, a subsidiary of the OSN Group. The investment is part of WBD’s growing commitment to the Middle East and North Africa streaming market. The deal will be finalized in phases, pending regulatory approval.

For OSN, the partnership strengthens its leadership position in the region’s highly competitive streaming landscape. The company has been expanding its content portfolio through long-term partnerships, including an exclusive deal with HBO in 2022. Earlier this year, OSN also acquired a majority stake in music streaming platform Anghami, further diversifying its digital offerings.

Sheikha Dana Naser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Group CEO of KIPCO and Chairperson of OSN, highlighted the importance of the partnership:

“We are delighted to be announcing this deal between WBD and OSN, which […] affirms the success of the strategy that KIPCO laid out to focus on and strengthen our streaming business, even in a competitive market environment. The transaction builds on OSN’s strong growth trajectory and market leadership in MENA’s streaming industry, strengthening its competitive position as one of the region’s premier entertainment destinations”.

Jamie Cooke, Executive Vice President & Managing Director for Central Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East at Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasized the importance of local content alongside global hits:

“It’s our goal to tell the greatest stories, whilst innovating our products and distribution channels […] We recognize that alongside enjoying the latest global hits, regional audiences also want stories from and about the region that reflect their own cultures and experiences. Through this deal, we’re delighted to announce that both OSN and Warner Bros. Discovery will invest in high-quality, locally produced content, ensuring a richer and more diverse offering for viewers”.

Also Read: Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

OSN Group CEO Joe Kawkabani echoed this sentiment, calling WBD’s investment a major milestone:

“We are thrilled to welcome WBD as a strategic partner. As a global leader in entertainment, WBD brings unparalleled expertise, innovation, and a rich portfolio of iconic brands. This investment is a significant milestone in OSN’s growth journey, reinforcing our dedication to delivering unique and compelling content. It also bolsters our commitment to expanding our investment in local content, broadening its reach beyond MENA to global audiences”.

WBD’s streaming services, Max and Discovery+, now boast nearly 117 million subscribers worldwide. The company’s increasing footprint in MENA is part of a broader expansion strategy that began with the opening of its Dubai office in 2012. Since then, WBD has steadily built its presence in the region, ensuring that MENA audiences have access to world-class entertainment.

News

Infinite Reality Acquires Napster In $207 Million Deal

The acquisition aims to transform Napster into an interactive music platform with virtual events, AI tools, and more.

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2025

Nour Nasir

infinite reality acquires napster in $207 million deal

Digital experience specialist Infinite Reality has officially announced its acquisition of Napster for $207 million. The deal is set to transform the iconic music service into a next-generation platform that goes beyond streaming, integrating social engagement and interactive audience experiences.

Napster, one of the longest-running digital music services, has paid out over $1 billion in royalties to musicians and songwriters over the years, and currently boasts a library of more than 110 million high-fidelity tracks. Now, under Infinite Reality’s ownership, the service is poised for a major evolution.

The plan is to reshape Napster into a more interactive and socially driven music platform. Infinite Reality intends to leverage its expertise in extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence (AI), and esports to create a space where artists can foster deeper connections with their fans. This initiative will integrate features like virtual concerts, social listening events, and gamified experiences to enhance engagement.

Some key elements of this transformation include:

3D Virtual Spaces: Artists will be able to create their own branded virtual environments where fans can attend exclusive events, concerts, and listening parties.
E-Commerce Integration: The platform will enable the sale of physical and digital merchandise, event tickets, and exclusive content.
AI-Powered Tools: Advanced AI-driven customer service and analytics will help artists better understand and interact with their audience.
Esports & Entertainment Crossovers: Leveraging Infinite Reality’s audience network, which includes the Drone Racing League (DRL) and major esports organizations, Napster aims to tap into gaming and digital entertainment communities.
Enhanced Monetization For Artists: New sponsorship and advertising opportunities will help artists unlock additional revenue streams.

“By acquiring Napster, we’re paving a path to a brighter future for artists, fans, and the music industry at large,” said John Acunto, CEO of Infinite Reality. “The artist-fan relationship is evolving, and we want to provide tools that allow for deeper connections and new revenue opportunities”.

Also Read: Best Music Streaming Services In The Middle East

Napster’s current CEO, Jon Vlassopulos, will stay on in his role while also expanding his leadership position at Infinite Reality. Since taking the helm in 2022, Vlassopulos has spearheaded Napster’s transformation into an innovative digital platform, drawing from his experience at Roblox, where he helped bring immersive music experiences to over 100 million users.

Reflecting on Napster’s history, Vlassopulos remarked, “Napster revolutionized music in the ’90s, and with Infinite Reality, we’re ready to do it again. Music streaming has remained largely unchanged, but we’re entering an immersive era where fans want more than just passive listening. Imagine stepping into a virtual venue, interacting with your favorite artist, and purchasing exclusive merchandise — all in one place. This is the next evolution of music engagement”.