Netflix has forged a deal to bundle up its service with major MENA player MBC Group’s leading regional streamer Shahid under one subscription. 

The two platforms, plus MBC’s linear TV channels, are now available through a new service aggregator called MBCNOW that launched in February. 

This is a “first-of-this-kind” partnership for Netflix in the Middle East and North Africa, according to an MBC press release. It also builds value for customers who don’t want to juggle multiple subscriptions. 

Netflix pricing varies from country to country in the MENA region, where leading streamer Shahid is charging US$11 a month. The companies expect this bundling consolidation to save customers 21% or more, compared to buying separate subscriptions.

Shahid has a broad kids content library that includes international acquisitions such as Agent 203 (Toon2Tango), Mechamoto: The Animated Series (Animonsta Studios) and Power Rangers: Beast Morphers (Hasbro). 

This team-up could give Netflix a stronger foothold in the region, where it’s popular but not as big as Shahid. As of December, Shahid had 4.4 million MENA subscribers, compared to Netflix’s three million, according to the most recent figures from analyst company Omdia. 

Bundling with Shahid seemingly aligns with Netflix’s recent strategy of teaming up with international broadcasters to build up its audience. In June, the streamer announced a similar carriage deal with TF1 to add the broadcaster’s live channels and on-demand content to its French service. 

“We’re thrilled to have MBC GROUP join forces with Netflix to bring its content to our audiences under the convenience of a single subscription,” said Bhanu Chaddha, director of distribution and TV products at MBC GROUP, in a release. “This is definitely the future of streaming and content consumption.” 

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