Netflix and MBC Group’s Shahid platform will be available through a single subscription for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa, as part of a new partnership announced on Monday.
The regional agreement, the first of its kind for Netflix in Mena, sees both streaming services offered together through MBCNOW – a digital entertainment aggregator launched earlier this year by MBC Group. The bundle will also include MBC’s suite of linear TV channels.
The bundle is now available in Saudi Arabia through major retailers and online outlets. MBC confirmed to The National that it will expand across the GCC and the wider Mena region "after the summer", with an exact date to be announced in the near future.
MBC Group says the combined offer caters to a wide range of audiences in the GCC and beyond, featuring a mix of international and Arabic-language content across genres.
“To have two streaming giants – Shahid and Netflix – come together under one platform is something never seen before in Saudi Arabia and the wider Mena region,” said Fadel Zahreddine, group director of emerging media at MBC Group. “This is a major milestone in the region’s digital media evolution.”
Bhanu Chaddha, director of distribution and TV products at MBC Group, called the partnership “the future of streaming".
"We’re thrilled to bring Netflix content to our audiences under the convenience of a single subscription.”
Mohammed Al Kuraishi, Netflix’s head of business development and partnerships for the Middle East and Africa, said the partnership would give users easier access to a broad range of global and regional programming. “This collaboration brings an unparalleled entertainment offering to our members and puts them at the heart of the experience."
The new Shahid + Netflix Pack combines Shahid’s Arabic-language shows, films and documentaries with Netflix’s full catalogue of global series, movies, live events and gaming content. MBC Group says the package offers more than 21 per cent savings compared to subscribing to each service individually.
MBCNOW was launched in February as a centralised hub for live and on-demand viewing, aiming to integrate the brand's traditional broadcast and digital services. With the addition of Netflix, the platform is now positioned as one of the region’s most comprehensive entertainment offerings.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
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- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Rating: 3/5
THE%20HOLDOVERS
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Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
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Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
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The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Sterling 46', De Bruyne 65', Gundogan 70')
Aston Villa 0
Red card: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
The%20specs%20
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- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
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