AI
Saudi Arabia
UAE
EgyptWarner Bros. Invests $57M in OSN, Eyes Mideast Streaming Boom
2 min
Warner Bros Discovery invests $57 million to acquire a third of Dubai-based platform OSN.
This investment aims to enhance local content and expand OSN's entertainment offerings.
OSN secured an exclusive multi-year licensing deal with HBO in 2022.
The partnership seeks to bolster Middle Eastern productions and expand OSN's library.
Warner Bros' move highlights deeper involvement in the region's growing entertainment market.
Dubai-based streaming platform OSN is getting a sizable investment boost, as Warner Bros. Discovery shells out a hefty $57 million for about a third of the company. The move is all part of Warner Bros.' plan to tap into the Middle East's rapidly expanding entertainment market.
According to OSN Group boss Joe Kawkabani, who's leading the helm of the company's parent group, this investment kicks off a new era of collaboration aimed at bolstering local content. The deal won't be finalised straight away—it's happening in stages and still needs to jump through the usual regulatery hoops before getting the green light.
OSN, which is known for streaming a mix of international hits and locally made series and movies, has already had strong ties with Warner Bros. for a while now. Back in 2022, the platform secured an exclusive multi-year licensing deal with HBO, which, of course, is owned by Warner Bros. It doesn't stop there—last year OSN also nabbed the rights to exclusively stream movies from the iconic Hollywood studio.
Kawkabani suggests the fresh influx of funds and cooperation might lead to even more ambitious projects, both in ramping up local Middle Eastern productions and expanding OSN's content library. "Whether it’s producing new stuff, broadening our catalogue, or simply making better shows, that's really the angle of this deal," Kawkabani explained in a statement.
With the streaming wars truly heating up in the Middle East, Warner Bros.’ decision signals a deeper dive into the region's rapidly developing entertainment landscape. There's obviously strong potential for both partners to boost their fan base across the thriving markets stretching from the UAE to Egypt and beyond.
It's fair to say subscribers could soon see a richer catalogue as these media giants double down on their partnership. Who knows—perhaps Arageek readers might soon find their favourite shows popping up more frequently on OSN screens.
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