Inside The LAB Podcast

In this episode, recorded on September 4th, Yann and Vinit discuss about what's happened this summer in STREAMING in MENA & India:1. Streaming the Olympics in MENA2. Airtel and Apple enter into a strategic partnership3. The launch of Samsung TV+ in MENA4. Reliance Industries and Walt Disney merger approved by Competition Commission of India5. 1001's Strategic Alliances: A New Era in Iraqi Streaming6. The Rising Stars of India's Media Tech Landscape Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

In this episode, recorded on May 3rd, Yann and Vinit explore several key updates from streaming in MENA & India:1. Jio’s Innovative Subscription Plans2. Professional Fighters League's MENA Debut3. Gandhi Series by Applause Entertainment4. CABSAT Dubai's 30th Anniversary5. Election-Driven Growth in News Streaming Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

In this episode, recorded on March 8th, Yann and Vinit explore several key updates from Streaming in MENA & India.1. GoPlay market's launch by Ooredoo Group2. Kerala's state-owned OTT platform launch3. 1001 becomes a super SVOD aggregator4. Paramount in talks with Jio5. Streaming 360 report - Ramadan edition6. Streaming growth beyond metros Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

In the latest episode of The Streaming Lab Podcast, recorded on the first day of March 2024, we discuss about a series of significant announcements. From sports broadcasting deals to Ramadan content lineups and insightful market trends, this episode unpacks the "March Madness" that's transforming streaming in these vibrant regions.1. F1 major announcements in MENA & INDIA2. First Ramadan Lineup announced3. Non-English content demand surges in MENA region4. Transformational week in Indian media5. India Today Group Originals Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

Recorded on February 20th, 2024, this week's episode of The Streaming Lab Podcast, hosted by Yann Colleter and featuring co-host Vinit Mehta, dives into the latest streaming news from the Middle East, North Africa, and India. From groundbreaking super media apps in the Middle East to significant strategic moves in India, we covered an array of topics that signal the dynamic shifts and continuous evolution within the streaming industry.1. Yango Play Unveils in the Middle East2. Ullu's Bold Public Move3. SVOD Subscriptions Forecast in MENA4. Jio's IPL 2024 Advertising Strategy5. Celebrating International Mother Language Day6. Franco Film Festival at Cinema Akil Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

In this week's edition of The Streaming Lab Podcast, recorded on February 9, 2024, we talk about groundbreaking alliances in the sports streaming domain in the US to the unveiling of Netflix MENA's latest offerings.1. A new era in sports streaming emerges in the US2. Netflix MENA’s expanding slate3. The rise of rugby Premier League in India4. Integral and Sandbox Group’s educational content collaboration5. Non-Fiction shows on the rise in India6. Disney Plus Hotstar’s subscribers increase Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

On the "Retention Zone" podcast hosted by Carlo De Marchis, I had the opportunity to delve into the intricate world of streaming in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and India. My journey in this dynamic industry has been both enlightening and challenging, revealing the unique aspects of these diverse markets.My Journey in the Streaming Industry:My story begins in Marseille, France, but it's in Dubai where I've spent over a decade shaping my career and building a family. It was here that I founded The Streaming Lab, driven by a need to understand the complexities of MENA's streaming services. The project started modestly on LinkedIn, where I posted about the myriad of local streaming services. Surprised by the community's response, I realized there was much more to explore. This led to the launch of my newsletter and podcast, where I analyze a mix of over 60 local and international streaming services active in the region.Streaming Market Dynamics in MENAThe MENA region, with its 8% streaming penetration, presents a landscape vastly different from Western markets. Local streaming services, numbering around 45, have a deeper connection with their audience than global giants. These international platforms often find themselves at a disadvantage, lacking the localized strategies and on-ground teams essential for success in these diverse markets.Challenges in Customer Loyalty and Retention:A personal experience with a streaming service's loyalty program, or the lack thereof, led me to ponder the industry's approach to customer retention. Despite being a loyal customer, I noticed a discrepancy in how streaming services treat their long-term subscribers. The revelation of Shahid's subscriber numbers and churn rates, which became public following its IPO, shed light on the effectiveness of hybrid AVOD-SVOD models in minimizing churn impacts. This balance between retaining existing customers and attracting new ones is a critical issue facing streaming services today.Looking Ahead: Future Prospects and Strategies:I'm optimistic about the growth potential of streaming in MENA, though it requires a nuanced approach. Streaming services must not only understand but also embrace the region's unique characteristics. International vendors aspiring to succeed here need to show their commitment to the region, not just through temporary engagements but through sustained efforts and local representation.The conversation with Carlo was a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of streaming, media, and sports technology. As we navigate these industries, adapting to regional peculiarities remains key to success. Carlo's suggestion to revisit this discussion later in the year reflects the rapid changes and ongoing developments in these sectors. As for myself, I continue to explore these dynamics through The Streaming Lab, constantly learning and sharing insights into this fascinating industry.The Streaming Lab is a weekly newsletter exploring the trends that matter to streaming professionals. If you are not already a subscriber, sign up and join 2,400+ others who receive it directly in their inbox every Monday.Read all the previous edition of The Streaming Lab here.Interested in advertising with The Streaming Lab and reach a qualified audience in MENA? Email me.Get access to my exclusive data & insights about FAST in MENA. Contact me here.I also work with streaming services, content creators, platform providers or media consultants and help them diversify their revenues. Contact me here. Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

Welcome to the latest episode of The Streaming Lab Podcast with Yann and Vinit. This episode dives into significant trends and announcements that are shaping the streaming landscapes in the Middle East, North Africa, and India.MENA Region UpdatesAmazon Prime's Content Production Shift: Amazon Prime Video announces a strategic shift away from producing content in Africa and MENA, focusing instead on European originals. This decision, coming amid the growth of local productions in MENA, raises questions about the future of regional content on global platforms.Netflix's $5 Billion WWE Deal: Netflix secures a massive deal with WWE, promising to become the central hub for WWE content starting January 2025. This groundbreaking partnership signals Netflix's venture into live sports streaming, a significant move in the industry.Shahid's Ad Tech Innovations: Shahid, MBC’s streaming service, announces the enhancement of its advertising technology. The focus is on creating more engaging ad formats for brands, especially during the crucial Ramadan period, highlighting the growing importance of ad-supported streaming models in the region.Indian Streaming LandscapeZee and Sony Merger Fallout: The highly anticipated merger between Zee and Sony falls through, shaking up the Indian media industry. This development could reshape the competitive landscape and the sustainability of media businesses in India.Jio Cinema's Free Streaming Strategy: Jio Cinema's approach to offering free ad-supported streaming for major sports events, like the India versus England cricket series, reflects the evolving strategies in Indian streaming, where accessibility and advertising play key roles.Netflix's Plan Changes in India: Netflix’s decision to remove its cheapest subscription plans could significantly impact its subscriber base in India. This move suggests a shift in strategy, possibly making way for an ad-supported tier, aligning more with Indian consumers’ viewing habits.Join us for more in-depth discussions on The Streaming Lab Podcast and stay updated on the latest trends in streaming, and remember: keep streaming!The Streaming Lab podcast breaks down the latest headlines and trends shaping the future of streaming in MENA & India.Listen all the previous episodes of The Streaming Lab podcast here.Interested in advertising with The Streaming Lab podcast and reach a qualified audience in MENA & India? Email us.Download our market reports STREAMING in MENA and STREAMING in INDIA. Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

Welcome to The Streaming Lab Podcast. In our latest episode, we reviewed the regional hits like 'Al Rawabi's School for Girls' and discussed insightful surveys on viewer habits. The streaming landscape in MENA and India continues to evolve with diverse content and audience preferences. MENA Region Highlights:'AlRawabi' School for Girls Season 2 TrailerNetflix has released the trailer for the second season of this successful Arabic TV series. The series, produced by Jordan's Filmision, is known for tackling social and cultural issues in the Arab world.'Horizon' Documentary on NetflixThis new documentary showcases the biodiversity and geographic diversity of Saudi Arabia, representing a significant stride in local content production with global appeal.AFC Asian Cup 2023 on STARZPLAYThe major football event, initially scheduled for 2023 and moved to 2024, is now being broadcast on Starsplay, indicating a shift in the distribution of sports content in the region.India Streaming InsightsIndian Viewing Habits - Nielsen IQ SurveyCommissioned by Amazon, this survey reveals that most Indians prefer streaming during dinner with their families, favoring comedy and sports genres. The findings could influence future advertising strategies, particularly for platforms like Amazon Prime Video.Controversy Over 'Ayodhya Temple' OpeningThe upcoming temple opening has become a focal point in India, with streaming platforms and broadcasters vying for advertising slots during the event. This highlights the intersection of cultural events and streaming media.'Indian Police Force' Reception on Prime VideoDespite having big stars, this series has received mixed reviews, underscoring that star power alone doesn't guarantee success. It also reflects the diverse quality of Indian content on Amazon Prime Video.Join us next week for more insights and discussions on the ever-evolving world of streaming. Subscribe to The Streaming Lab and remember to keep streaming!The Streaming Lab podcast breaks down the latest headlines and trends shaping the future of streaming in MENA & India.Listen all the previous episodes of The Streaming Lab podcast here.Interested in advertising with The Streaming Lab podcast and reach a qualified audience in MENA & India? Email us.Download our market reports STREAMING in MENA and STREAMING in INDIA. Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe

Welcome to the 9th episode of The Streaming Lab Podcast with your hosts Yann and Vinit. This week, we delve into significant developments and predictions shaping the streaming landscapes of the Middle East, North Africa, and India.In the MENA RegionMBC Group's IPO successMBC Group, the major broadcaster of the region, soared in value post-IPO, with shares rising significantly on Tadawul, the Saudi Arabia Stock Exchange. This move is a major boost for the company, particularly for their streaming service, Shahid, and their ventures into sports, music, gaming, and events.Anghami's subscriber growthAnghami, the MENA's leading music streaming service, saw a 17% increase in paid subscribers in 2023. With a reported revenue growth and an impending merger with OSN, Anghami is setting the stage for a more integrated media experience.Dubai Media's new strategyDubai Media Council's approval of a new strategy and action plan signifies the government's commitment to media sector growth. With an emphasis on diversification, including formats like 'Shark Tank Dubai' on their streaming service Awaan, Dubai Media is poised to become a significant player in the region.In IndiaControversy over Netflix's AnnapooraniThe Tamil language movie Annapoorani was removed from Netflix following backlash over its portrayal of religious beliefs, highlighting the challenges of content censorship and freedom of speech in the Indian streaming landscape.TikTok's Resso shutdownThe closure of TikTok's music streaming service Resso in India reflects the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the evolving digital content environment in the country.Zee and Sony's merger agaThe much-speculated merger between Zee and Sony continues to be a hot topic, with new developments suggesting the merger is moving forward. This consolidation could significantly reshape India's streaming and media industry.Join us next week for more insights into the streaming world and remember, keep streaming!The Streaming Lab podcast breaks down the latest headlines and trends shaping the future of streaming in MENA & India.Listen all the previous episodes of The Streaming Lab podcast here.Interested in advertising with The Streaming Lab podcast and reach a qualified audience in MENA & India? Email us.Download our market reports STREAMING in MENA and STREAMING in INDIA. Get full access to The Streaming Lab at www.thestreaminglab.com/subscribe