MBC Group plans to go public, taps HSBC Holdings and JPMorgan Chase

The logo of the Pan-Arab media company MBC Group. (Wikimedia Commons)
Short Url
Updated 03 November 2022
Follow

MBC Group plans to go public, taps HSBC Holdings and JPMorgan Chase

  • Sources said the listing could come as early as next year but specific details, such as the size of the IPO, the valuation and the timing, are not yet clear
  • The company’s move to Saudi Arabia, its “homeland,” was described as a long-held dream by its chairman, Waleed Al-Ibrahim

DUBAI: MBC Group is reportedly working with HSBC Holdings and JPMorgan Chase & Co. on an initial public offering in Riyadh.

Bloomberg reported that the listing of MBC Group could come as soon as next year, citing sources familiar with the plans who asked not to be identified because the information had not yet been made public.

They said additional banks could be added to the plans but specific details, such as the size of the IPO, the valuation and the timing, are not yet clear.

Representatives of MBC Group, which describes itself as the biggest broadcaster in the Middle East, declined to comment on the report.

MBC was founded in London in 1991. It moved its headquarters to Dubai in 2002 and then to Riyadh in September this year. The company’s move to Saudi Arabia, its “homeland,” was described as a long-held dream by its chairman, Waleed Al-Ibrahim.

“We have carried this dream with us since the first launch in 1991, even though we thought it was a dream far away from coming true,” he said.


Arab News wins 7 prizes at European Newspaper Awards, led by 50th anniversary coverage

Updated 27 February 2026
Follow

Arab News wins 7 prizes at European Newspaper Awards, led by 50th anniversary coverage

  • Anniversary special coverage and film won four Awards of Excellence across multiple categories

LONDON: Arab News won seven prizes at the 27th European Newspaper Awards — four for its 50th anniversary coverage and three for other projects — bringing its total to 160 awards since the 2018 relaunch.

The anniversary coverage earned an Award of Excellence in “Supplement for special occasions and anniversary editions,” plus wins in “Multimedia storytelling” for its special web section and two in “Film” and “Animated films” for its documentary.

Additional honors went to the “Spotlight — 2024 in Review” and “Opinion — 2024” print series in the “Sectional front pages nationwide newspaper” category, and a “Visualization” prize for an image from “Opinion — 2024.”

Launched in 1999 by organizer Norbert Kupper, the awards celebrate print and digital innovation. This year’s contest drew newspapers from 22 countries and more than 3,000 entries across 20 categories, despite fewer print submissions due to rising editorial collaborations.

“It’s testament to the skill, versatility and collaboration between the creative and editorial teams at Arab News that the seven awards at this year’s ENAs spanned print, digital and film categories,” commented Omar Nashashibi, head of creative design at Arab News. “These wouldn’t be possible without the world-class contributors we partner with, and the leadership, vision and support of Editor-In-Chief Faisal J. Abbas.”

Creative Director Simon Khalil called the film wins especially meaningful. “This recognition means a great deal because this film was never just about marking an anniversary, it was about capturing a defining moment in the evolution of Arab News and the region it represents.

“Telling the story, and drama of the 2018 relaunch, the digital transformation, and the courage to become ‘The Voice of a Changing Region’ was both a responsibility and a privilege.”

Past highlights include the “King Charles III Coronation” special coverage, “Kingdom vs. Captagon” investigation and FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 special edition.

See more award-winning projects at arabnews.com/greatesthits.