NEOM, Saudi Broadcasting Authority in bid to boost Kingdom’s media industry in new partnership

LONDON: NEOM Media Industries Sector has partnered with the Saudi Broadcasting Authority to enhance the Kingdom’s media landscape.

The collaboration aims to produce local content and cultivate talent, boosting the nation’s media production capabilities and digital transformation efforts.

“This initiative is pivotal in accelerating our ascent to regional and global prominence,” said Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM.

“We anticipate that this strategic partnership will catalyze innovation, spur economic growth and strengthen cultural foundations, thereby advancing our vision of significantly contributing to the evolution of the global media landscape.”

As part of the long-term collaboration, SBA will establish an ongoing operational presence within the NEOM Media Hub, leveraging its infrastructure, technology services, financial production incentives, and regulatory support.

This strategic move is set to attract regional and international productions to NEOM, the companies said in a joint statement.

SBA and NEOM Industry Learning are also co-developing training programs across the entire creative industries value chain, with 80 trainees expected to graduate by 2025.

These programs will offer on-set, hands-on experience through TV production placements, fostering a new generation of media professionals in Saudi Arabia.

“Our partnership with NEOM embodies every aspect of this vision,” said Mohammed bin Fahad Al-Harthi, CEO of SBA.

“With its cutting-edge infrastructure and commitment to investing in local talents, NEOM aligns with SBA’s goal to produce authentic Saudi content with global visibility, and (aims) to enrich local expertise.”

The partnership has already borne fruit with the production of the local reality TV series “Unbreakable,” which is preparing for its second season.

The companies said the project was part of a pipeline of six productions spanning various genres and formats, underlining the commitment to making NEOM a central hub for media excellence.