Turning point in Mideast streaming wars

In a notable shift for the Middle East’s streaming landscape, Netflix is partnering with regional powerhouse MBC Group and its streaming service, Shahid, in Saudi Arabia.

Samuel Wendel
Samuel Wendel
Aug 5, 2025
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 03: A general view of the Netflix stand at the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023 on December 03, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival)

Welcome back to Al-Monitor FutureVerse.

From a potential turning point in the Middle East’s streaming wars to a slew of new cybersecurity startup deals, the region’s tech sector keeps sizzling this summer. We explore those developments in this edition plus new rules for online influencers in the Gulf, China’s hunt for tech talent in the region, AI-enabled oil rigs and more. 

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Sam (@sam_wendel)

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