MBC Group

History

MBC Group was founded in London in 1991 with the launch of MBC 1, the first private Arabic satellite channel. The group expanded to Dubai in 2002.

In 2011, MBC reported 165 million viewers.

MBC Hope launched in June 2013 to handle social engagement campaigns like "Syrians without an address" and "Stars on board." In 2017, it expanded to Egypt to support female entrepreneurs.

In 2022, MBC relocated to Riyadh and expanded its operations. The group now oversees Shahid (largest Arabic streaming platform), 19+ TV/radio channels, MBC Studios, MBC Academy, and MBC Talent Agency.

MBC partners with telecoms and international production studios, and also develops projects in video games, NFTs, and digital currencies.

In 2023, total revenue reached SAR 3.7 billion (+6.2%) and net profit SAR 69 million (+44.8%). 60% of MBC was owned by Istedamah Holding Company (Saudi Ministry of Finance subsidiary) and the rest by Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim.

MBC announced its IPO on the Tadawul in November 2023, with a share price range of SAR 23–25. The IPO raised SAR 831 million with huge demand.

Following the IPO, shares rose 30% on debut (Jan 8, 2024) and 134% by Jan 25, 2024. 2024 revenue: SAR 4.2 billion (+13.1%); net profit SAR 426.1 million (+515.2%).

In September 2025, the PIF became a major shareholder, acquiring 54% through Istedamah Holding Company for SAR 7.469 billion.

Television channels

Streaming platform

MBC Shahid is the first free video on demand service in the Middle East and North Africa and one of the region’s most popular streaming platforms, offering the largest library of Arabic content. It is also the largest premium video on demand service globally outside China, the US, and India and operates as an over‑the‑top streaming platform delivering content directly over the internet.

Shahid features MBC's own shows along with dubbed or subtitled foreign content. In January 2020, it partnered with Disney and Fox to add over 3,000 hours of content, including Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney classics such as Frozen, alongside nine new Arabic originals.

In December 2024, Shahid led the subscription video‑on‑demand market in the Middle East and North Africa with approximately 4.4 million subscribers, ahead of competitors such as YouTube Premium and Netflix.

Radio stations

Subsidiaries

MBC Studio

In 2018, MBC established its own production studio to produce film and television series targeting at Middle-Eastern audiences. MBC Studios later expanded to work with Hollywood studios to produce English-language features.

MBC Studios has established global partnerships with major international production studios in Hollywood And London to launch joint film and television projects, most notably the film Desert Warrior, a co-production between MBC Studios and JB Pictures. The film stars Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Sir Ben Kingsley, Sharlto Copley, Ghassan Massoud, Sami Bouajila, and Lamis Ammar, and is directed by Rupert Wyatt. The screenplay was co-written by Rupert Wyatt, Erica Beeney, and David Self, and the film's main scenes were shot in the Saudi Arabian cities of NEOM and Tabuk with support from the NEOM Media Industries sector. It is scheduled to have its Middle East and North Africa premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah in 2025, following its world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival in September 2025 in Switzerland. The film Kandahar, starring Gerard Butler, was also filmed in Saudi Arabia.

MBC Studios also produces Arabic works with international standards and broadcasts them globally, such as the crime drama series "Rashash" and "Rise of the Witches." In Ramadan/April 2025, MBC 1 aired the series "Muawiya," produced by MBC Studios, which is considered one of the largest historical productions in Arabic drama. In September of the same year, the Venice International Film Festival hosted the premiere of the film "The Voice of Hind Rajab," which was co-produced by MBC Studios alongside a number of major Hollywood and international studios, and was written and directed by the Tunisian Kaouther Ben Hania.

Controversies

In 2007, MBC aired its first Turkish soap opera dubbed into Arabic. These shows became very popular, with over 85 million viewers watching the finale of Gümüş. In 2018, all Turkish programs were removed, reportedly under Saudi government direction.

In 2017, several MBC owners were arrested in Riyadh during a corruption crackdown. Chief owner Waleed bin Ibrahim was released after 83 days and found innocent.

In 2018–2019, MBC Masr faced criticism for blackface in comedy programs.

In October 2024, MBC aired a report labeling Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah, PMF commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani as "faces of terrorism." This led to office vandalism in Baghdad and the suspension of MBC licenses in Iraq and Algeria.

Notes

References

References

1. (2024-11-03). "Saudi Arabia's PIF to acquire 54% stake in MBC Group". Arab News.
2. (2023-12-14). "MBC Group Prospectus". Capital Market Authority.
3. Argaam. (27 June 2024). "MBC Group still the leading general‑entertainment broadcaster in Saudi Arabia". Argaam.
4. Westcott, Kathryn. (8 May 1998). "Campaign Report on Worldwide Advertising (IAA Special): The battle for the Arab satellite market".
5. Magid, Pesha. (21 November 2023). "Media group MBC expects IPO in coming months, says CEO". Reuters.
6. Carroll, Rosaleen. (Oct 21, 2024). "What's behind Algeria's suspension of Saudi-owned Al Arabiya?".
7. Goodfellow, Melanie. (2025-09-18). "Saudi Arabia’s State Investment Fund PIF Takes 54% In MBC Group".
8. (2011-09-16). "Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC): A Case of the Content Management Blues".
9. "MBC Group (Middle East Broadcasting Center)".
10. Bedirian, Razmig. "All-new Shahid: MBC partners with Disney and Fox for fresh version of streaming platform".
11. (2019-05-15). "Image Nation, MBC Studios announce deal at Cannes to promote Mideast projects".
12. (2020-06-28). "Media training program aims to put global spotlight on budding Saudi talent".
13. "البحرين مركز إقليمي لمواهب "MBC Talent"".
14. Report, Gulf News. (2022-04-22). "MBC Group releases 7 super-rare NFTs of The Fananees TV series to celebrate Ramadan".
15. (2022-04-18). "Networks, film distributors enter NFT market - The Korea Times".
16. "MBC turns ‘Fananees’ characters into NFTs".
17. Writer, Staff. (2023-11-30). "MBC announces IPO share price range".
18. Writer, Staff. (2023-12-12). "Saudi Arabia's MBC Group announces SAR 25 per share final IPO price".
19. "Saudi broadcaster MBC sets IPO price at top of range".
20. (2023-11-21). "MBC Shares Offering".
21. (2024-01-08). "MBC Group shares jump 30 pct on Saudi Exchange debut".
22. Cooban, Anna. (2024-01-08). "Saudi media group MBC worth nearly $3 billion after hot market debut {{!}} CNN Business".
23. (2024-01-25). "MBC Group emerges as global IPO star with unprecedented share surge".
24. Release, Press. "MBC Group reports a record 515% increase in net profit to SAR 426mln in FY 2024".
25. "الإعلانات و«شاهد» ترفعان أرباح «إم بي سي» 515 % في 2024".
26. The New Arab Staff. "Al Arabiya completes relocation from UAE to Saudi capital Riyadh". The New Arab.
27. "Minister of Media Visits Al Arabiya Headquarters in Riyadh, Reviews Post-Relocation Readiness".
28. (2025-09-10). "Al Arabiya English marks one year since launching on-air programming".
29. (2023-11-24). "Al Hadath launches brand new Riyadh newsroom, studios".
30. (2013-10-28). "MBC launches Bollywood channel". Arab News.
31. (2013-10-26). "MBC promises 'fresh approach' to Bollywood with new channel". [[Al Arabiya]].
32. (10 November 2012). "MBC Group launches Egypt-based channel".
33. (27 January 2019). "MBC Iraq channel to launch next month".
34. (26 January 2019). "MBC group to launch new family TV channel MBC Iraq".
35. (16 January 2020). "All-new Shahid: MBC partners with Disney and Fox for fresh version of streaming platform".
36. "Shahid reports 23% surge in viewer numbers year on year".
37. (13 May 2025). "SVOD Market Leadership in MENA Streaming Video Market".
38. (2023-05-13). "LOUD FM: MBC group launches English-language radio station in Saudi Arabia".
39. (2024-05-13). "Saudi radio station MBC FM marks 30 years of broadcasting with special events".
40. (2022-12-21). "Radio in KSA: Effective Results, Powerful Impact".
41. (September 18, 2018). "Peter Smith to Lead New Saudi Production Banner MBC Studios". [[Valence Media]].
42. (November 24, 2021). "MBC Studios' Saudi Arabia Boss on "New Era" as A-List Features 'Desert Warrior,' 'Kandahar' Make History in the Kingdom". [[MRC (company)#PMRC.
43. Kay, Jeremy. "AGC International to offer ‘Desert Warrior’ to buyers for first time at AFM".
44. "MBC Studios teams up with US counterparts for ‘Desert Warrior’".
45. Ritman, Alex. (2021-11-24). "MBC Studios’ Saudi Arabia Boss on “New Era” as A-List Features ‘Desert Warrior,’ ‘Kandahar’ Make History in the Kingdom".
46. "''استوديوهات MBC'' تعلن عن الفيلم السينمائي العالمي ''محارب الصحراء'' – Desert Warrior {{!}} مجلة لها".
47. Lodderhose, Diana. (2021-12-08). "AGC Studios’ Stuart Ford Talks Shooting $140M ‘Desert Warrior’ In KSA: “The Arab-Speaking World Is A Coming Force”".
48. (2022-01-18). "Filming of Hollywood movie ‘Kandahar’ in AlUla is a sign of things to come".
49. Wiseman, Andreas. (2021-12-02). "Gerard Butler Action Movie ‘Kandahar’ Begins Filming In Saudi Arabia; Ali Fazal & Navid Negahban Join Cast".
50. Vivarelli, Nick. (2022-04-12). "MBC Studios Ramps Up TV Production With Saudi Series ‘Rise of The Witches,’ ‘Devil’s Promise,’ ‘1001 Nights’ (EXCLUSIVE)".
51. (2025-02-28). "مسلسل معاوية .. أضخم الأعمال التاريخية العربية".
52. "مدير التواصل في "إم بي سي" لـ"النهار": "معاوية" سيرة شخص وليس توثيقاً لمرحلة... وحدودنا السماء".
53. (2025-05-14). "Kaouther Ben Hania and Oscar-winning producers on board to direct film on killing of Palestinian girl".
54. Vivarelli, Alex Ritman,Nick. (2025-05-13). "Killing of Palestinian Girl Hind Rajab Being Made Into Film by Kaouther Ben Hania, Nadim Cheikhrouha, ‘Zone of Interest’ Producer James Wilson, ‘Navalny’ Producer Odessa Rae and Film4 (EXCLUSIVE)".
55. Kheir, Nada Aboul. (2025-07-22). "Kaouther Ben Hania On The Moving Story Behind Her Venice Competition Film ‘The Voice Of Hind Rajab’".
56. Buccianti, Alexandra. "Dubbed Turkish soap operas conquering the Arab world: social liberation or cultural alienation?".
57. "MBC stops all Turkish TV drama".
58. Hubbard, Ben. (2018-01-26). "Saudi Arabia Frees Media Mogul, but His Company's Fate Remains a Mystery". The New York Times.
59. "Saudi Arabia to seize controlling stake in broadcaster MBC".
60. Walsh, Declan. (2019-08-18). "Blackface, Staple of Arab Comedy, Faces Surge of Criticism". The New York Times.
61. Rubin, Alissa. (2024-10-19). "Iraq Suspends License of Saudi-Owned Television Channel, MBC Media Group". The New York Times.
62. Abdul-Zahra, Qassim. (2024-10-19). "Iraq moves to revoke Saudi broadcaster's license after report angered militia supporters". Associated Press.