LONDON: MBC Group has unveiled the all-new version of its video on demand (VOD) service, Shahid.
It comes as the Saudi-owned broadcaster seeks to boost its original content to fend off growing competition from global players such as Netflix and Amazon.
“As we look ahead, we strive to take control of our own narratives, showcasing our stories to the rest of the world through the very best in original films, series, and other media content, produced and marketed via MBC Studios,” MBC Group Chairman Waleed Al-Ibrahim said.
“We’re immensely proud to provide the region with an advanced digital platform that is on par with the best in the world. Shahid is a global brand that is worth watching.”
Faces at the Shahid relaunch, from left: Seba Moubarak, Tamer Habib, Ahmed Malek and Amr Youssef; MBC Managing Director Johannes Larcher; Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, MBC Chairman Waleed Al-Ibrahim and Mona Al-Marri.
Recently appointed group CEO Marc Antoine d’Halluin revealed plans to raise investment into home-grown drama productions at the broadcasting group.
Shahid Premieres will focus on first-look exclusives from cinema and television, while Shahid Originals will offer local and regional productions, with long-form content such as drama series as well as short-form content.
Shahid also announced a content partnership with Disney and Fox as well as streaming platform Spotify.
