Advanced Television

Starz launches MENA SVoD service

April 2, 2015

Global media and entertainment company Starz has confirmed details of the Starz Play Arabia launch on April 2nd in 17 countries. The first international Starz Play is a new, premium content, direct-to-consumer multiplatform subscription video service developed in conjunction with the Parsifal Entertainment Group for select markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). As part of Starz’ Starz Play International initiative, Starz Play Arabia marks the first time that Starz has extended its flagship brand in a service offering outside of the US.

Starz Play Arabia débuts in 17 countries and territories throughout the region with a particular early marketing emphasis on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including: Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Other countries where the service is available include: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia.

Starz says the SVoD service presents an offering that is optimised for the respective Middle East and North Africa markets, and is rich in original programming and other blockbuster movie, premium series and kids content from other partners. Starz Play Arabia extends the Starz Play brand, currently used in the United States for the Starz TV Everywhere offerings, and initially offers more than 3,000 movies and a wide selection of TV series for $13.99/month, a 30-day free trial, and no monthly contractual obligations. The SVoD service will be available on PCs and Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices at launch.

“Starz is very pleased with the launch of the world-class Starz Play Arabia partnership in the Middle East and North Africa. This is the first time a STARZ-branded service has been launched outside of the United States,” said Chris Albrecht, Starz CEO. “Taking the STARZ brand to these markets with the latest video distribution technology represents an innovative opportunity to grow the Starz business. Starz Play Arabia has a strong content foundation in place anchored by the growing worldwide portfolio of STARZ Original series programming and leveraged with a smart mix of other premier licensed product through our relationships within the industry.”

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