DUBAI: Streaming platform StarzPlay plans to launch the football talent show ‘The Italian Dream’ in partnership with Lega Serie A, PureHealth and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, in a hunt for the Middle East’s next football star.
“By examining audience viewing patterns and viewership data, we recognized that sports play a crucial role in attracting viewers across the Middle East and North Africa, with football standing out as the sport of choice in a nation driven by the vision of its leaders toward healthy and happy living,” said Maaz Sheikh, CEO of StarzPlay.
The six-episode show is filmed in the host city of Abu Dhabi, as well as other participating cities including Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Egypt.
Footballing legends from Lega Serie A will participate in the show as mentors and guides for the competitors. The show aims to go beyond the participants’ football skills and shed light on their aspirations, family life and passion for sports.
The show “exemplifies Lega Serie A’s commitment to investing in grassroots talent in the MENA region by providing opportunities for local emerging players to grow, learn and showcase their abilities on one of the world’s most renowned and storied football leagues, Lega Serie A,” said Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A.
StarzPlay is the home of Italian football in the MENA region with the rights to stream every match from the Lega Serie A.
