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Omdia: Streaming video revenues in MENA to surpass $1.2bn in 2024

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LONDON, May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Over-The-Top (OTT) video streaming market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region experienced robust growth in 2023, with Omdia data reporting a 13% increase across the region and revenues exceeding $1 billion. Leading in this dynamic market are Shahid and StarzPlay, which dominate with significant market shares and innovative strategies.

The OTT market’s impressive growth in 2023 underscores the region’s increasing demand for digital entertainment, with revenues exceeding $1 billion. Strategic partnerships and bundle offerings have been key to this success, enhancing accessibility and content diversity. Omdia forecasts continued positive results, with revenues expected to reach $1.2 billion in 2024.

Year-round content production has mitigated seasonal subscription fluctuations in the MENA region, leading to higher subscription rates and reduced churn after Ramadan. Despite this, Ramadan remains a peak period for drama, with platforms like ADTV and Watch IT gaining significant popularity to meet regional demand.

Omdia’s research shows that Shahid, part of MBC, leads the MENA streaming video market with a 22% market share, amounting to 3.6 million subscribers by the end of 2023. Shahid’s strength lies in its extensive local Arabic content, which resonates deeply with regional audiences, especially during Ramadan.

StarzPlay follows closely with an 18% market share and 3 million subscribers. Identifying and filling content gaps in the region, has allowed StarzPlay to strengthen its competitive edge through their:

AVOD Launch: A soft launch in November 2023 followed by a full launch in February 2024.Exclusive Content: Highly anticipated series like “The Walking Dead: Dead City” having premiered in March 2024.Sports Content: Exclusive rights to major sporting events such as the Cricket Asia Cup (September 2023), Cricket World Cup (October 2023), IPL (May 2024), Rugby World Cup (October 2023), Six Nations (March 2024), and UFC (March 2024).

Speaking at CABSAT 2024, Dubai, Maria Rua Aguete, Senior Research Director at Omdia, remarked: “MENA is a growth area with huge potential. The top three players—Shahid, StarzPlay, and Netflix—each have unique strategies and complementary offerings. In the advertising space, FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) is currently limited in this region, but we anticipate significant growth over the next four years, with global players like Samsung entering the market.”

Online video advertising presents the most significant growth opportunity, while MENA’s Pay TV expansion demonstrates how bundling can combat piracy. FAST channel revenues in MENA hit $7.2 million in 2023 and are poised for rapid growth. The future of streaming video services in the MENA region appears exceptionally promising, with Shahid and StarzPlay at the forefront of innovation and growth. The market is expected to continue its upward trend, offering a wider array of localized content to cater to the evolving preferences of Middle Eastern audiences.

ABOUT OMDIA

Omdia, part of Informa Tech, is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets combined with our actionable insights empower organizations to make smart growth decisions.

 Fasiha Khan: Fasiha.khan@omdia.com

 

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SOURCE Omdia

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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