Finyal Media to launch gaming podcast ‘The Code’

Finyal Media is bringing the popular genre to the audio world for the very first time in Arabic. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 August 2021
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Finyal Media to launch gaming podcast ‘The Code’

  • The Arabic sci-fi podcast will launch on Aug. 18

DUBAI: Regional podcast network Finyal Media is launching a new sci-fi podcast titled “The Code.”

The seven-part series has been made entirely in Saudi Arabia including its production, scripting, and recording.

The show tells the story of four college friends playing a new game. As strange things start happening in the virtual game world, other players — including one friend — go missing in the real world. The remaining players must, however, continue playing to find clues to save their friend.

“We’re incredibly excited to not only be launching Finyal Media’s first sci-fi podcast, but also the first sci-fi podcast ever done in Arabic,” said Mshari Alonaizy, co-founder and chief creative officer of Finyal Media.

With the gaming industry expected to grow at a 22.5 percent annual growth rate over the next four years, Finyal Media is bringing the popular genre to the audio world for the very first time in Arabic.

The popularity of the gaming genre in other media such as TV and film inspired the company to bring the experience to podcast listeners, Alonaizy said.

“We also wanted to base the series on a video game as the gaming industry is on the rise in MENA right now, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and the theme has so much appeal and relevance to young Arabs in the region,” he added.

Featuring local talent, “The Code” has a dedicated video game storyline with a unique audio experience to cater to the emerging gaming market in the Kingdom. Special effects bring to life sci-fi concepts such as futuristic weapons and robots to create an immersive experience and help listeners visualize every scene.

The first season of “The Code” will be available on all podcasting platforms such as Spotify, Deezer, and Anghami, with episodes being released on a weekly basis. Listeners can also subscribe to the Finyal+ channel on Apple Podcasts where the entire season will be available on Aug. 18.


SRMG launches G.O.A.T, AI-powered sports platform for data-driven fans

Updated 13 January 2026
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SRMG launches G.O.A.T, AI-powered sports platform for data-driven fans

  • The launch comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is increasingly at the center of global sport
  • The app complements live broadcasts by keeping fans connected before, during, and after the game

RIYADH: The Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) on Tuesday announced the launch of G.O.A.T, a new sports app designed to deliver fast, credible, and curated coverage in one destination. Built for a mobile-first generation, G.O.A.T is designed for a sports landscape evolving at unprecedented speed.

The launch of G.O.A.T comes at a time when Saudi Arabia, and the region more broadly, are increasingly at the center of global sport. Saudi football in particular has been undergoing rapid transformation, emerging as one of the fastest-growing and most closely followed leagues in the world.

“As fan behavior evolves alongside this growth, audiences are no longer looking only for headlines, but for trusted context, real-time access, and platforms that reflect how sport is experienced today,” the group said in a statement. 

Created to meet these expectations, G.O.A.T is an audience-first, data-driven app built for the AI age. It brings together real-time updates, breaking news, video highlights, and match insights in a simple, always-on experience designed around fan behavior and matchday flow.

The app complements live broadcasts by keeping fans connected before, during, and after the game, from instant goal alerts to key stories, highlights, and the conversations shaping matchday momentum across screens and platforms.

The launch marks the first phase of G.O.A.T’s rollout, initially focusing on football and the Saudi Pro League, alongside coverage of the world’s most prominent competitions. In its early release, the app serves as a leading destination for up-to-the-minute Saudi football news, grounded in SRMG’s editorial standards and designed to cut through misinformation and noise that increasingly dominate sports coverage.

In its initial release, G.O.A.T curates content from SRMG’s most trusted brands, including Arriyadiah, Asharq Al Awsat, Asharq Sports, and Sport 24, giving fans access to reporting, analysis, and match coverage from the region’s most established newsrooms through one unified product experience.

As the platform evolves, G.O.A.T is expected to unlock new monetization opportunities aligned with fan behavior and premium engagement. These include intelligent sponsorship integrations, data-driven brand partnerships, and premium experiences built around key moments and competitions. Designed as a scalable product platform, G.O.A.T enables brands, leagues, and partners to connect with highly engaged sports audiences through context-rich formats that enhance rather than disrupt the fan experience.

The launch of G.O.A.T also marks another step in SRMG’s expansion across the sports media ecosystem, following the group’s acquisition of exclusive rights to broadcast the Saudi Pro League across the Middle East and North Africa through Thmanyah.

Alaa Shahine Salha, Content Development Managing Director at SRMG, said: “G.O.A.T was built around a simple idea. Sports fans need speed, depth, and credibility in one place. This first phase establishes a strong editorial and community foundation. What comes next will expand how fans interact with content, match moments, and each other, powered by a smarter, data-led experience.”

SRMG said it will continue to evolve G.O.A.T through interactive and community-driven features that deepen participation and bring fans closer to the action, while maintaining a clear commitment to credibility and responsible reporting.

G.O.A.T is now available to download on iOS and Android.