JEDDAH: Authorities in Saudi Arabia have continued to crack down on the sale and use of broadcasting devices used to bootleg sports channels, ahead of the start of the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament later this month.
More than 8,000 such devices have been confiscated from retailers in the Kingdom “in the last few weeks,” according to authorities, which have launched formal procedures against the offending distributors.
Such moves confirm authorities’ “serious efforts to reject any attempts to override and sell bootlegging devices,” a statement said.
The confiscated devices were destroyed in the presence of representatives from the government agencies involved in the campaign. Saudi Arabia is expected to continue its oversight work on all outlets that may have such violations.
Authorities confiscated about 5,000 other devices in earlier operations, while intensive and periodic campaigns revealed new violations by outlets. Devices were seized and formal procedures were implemented against retailers.
The scope of TV piracy in Saudi Arabia and the wider region is difficult to assess; research analysts IDC in 2015 estimated that illegal content distribution across the Middle East and Africa cost the industry more than $750 million per year.
Fellow research analysts Digital TV Research in January estimated that average revenue per user for pay-TV providers would fall in 2018, due in part to rampant piracy in the region.
The MENA Broadcast Satellite Anti-Piracy Coalition — which includes regional satellite operators, distribution companies and international studios such as Paramount and Sony Pictures — said in April that 22 pirate television channels had been shut down during the previous year.
The coalition estimated that there had been 2.7 billion downloads of pirated content during the previous year.
“Content piracy in the Middle East takes money away from the legitimate producers and broadcasters and transfers it to organized criminals,” said Sam Barnett, the CEO of MBC Group, in a statement in April.
“This is hugely destructive to our sector and a constraint on growth. We believe much more can be done to stop this blight with cooperation across all ... players and regulators.”
Saudi Arabia confiscates 8,000 devices for bootlegging one of the sport channels
Saudi Arabia confiscates 8,000 devices for bootlegging one of the sport channels
- The number of devices confiscated by the competent authorities in the last few weeks exceeded 8,000 devices in a number of violating outlets
- Intensive and periodic campaigns revealed some new violations that were seized and the formal procedures have been implemented against offenders
Shahid, Disney+ and OSN+ launch exclusive streaming bundle across GCC
- Bundle available exclusively visa Shahid for $25 a month
RIYADH: In a landmark regional collaboration, Shahid, Disney+, and OSN+ have announced an exclusive streaming bundle that brings together world-class hits from the three platforms under a single subscription in a first-of-its-kind offer for audiences in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The all-in-one entertainment package, available only through Shahid in the GCC for about $25 a month, grants subscribers full access to three leading platforms covering Hollywood blockbusters, Disney+’s expansive range of beloved films, animations and series, OSN+’s library of HBO originals and international hits, and Shahid’s Arabic premium content.
The bundle is designed to simplify subscription management with a unified payment model, allowing viewers to access all three apps at the price of two and offering a streamlined user experience.
Natasha Matos-Hemingway, chief commercial and marketing officer at Shahid, said the partnership reflects a broader effort to expand digital entertainment offerings in the Middle East, catering to a growing audience seeking diversity, convenience and high-quality programming.
“We are proud to collaborate with OSN+ and Disney+ to offer an unmatched streaming experience to our subscribers,” she said. “With one subscription, one payment, and full access to premium content from all three platforms, we’re delivering unbeatable convenience, value and entertainment.”
With a growing demand for high-quality on-demand content, the bundle is expected to attract a wide range of users seeking comprehensive entertainment without juggling multiple subscriptions.
The move also signals increasing cooperation between global media giants and regional platforms, in a bid to meet the entertainment preferences of Arab audiences while expanding market reach.
Karl Holmes, SVP and general manager at Disney+ EMEA, said the collaboration will bring award-winning series like FX’s “Shogun” and favorites such as “Lilo & Stitch” into a unique bundle with Shahid’s regional hits including “Al Dariya.”
The agreement “reflects a shared ambition between Disney+ and Shahid to shape the future of entertainment in the Middle East,” said Holmes. “The Middle East is young, dynamic and fast-growing, and we’re delighted to give consumers a new and easy way to access extraordinary content at exceptional value.”
Choucri Khairallah, chief business officer at OSN+, said the partnership takes OSN+’s entertainment experience “to the next level.”
He added: “Today’s audiences expect more than great content; they seek seamless access, variety and exceptional value. This all-in-one bundle delivers exactly that.”
