Despite what it seems, Netflix isn’t a dominant force everywhere on the planet. OSN, the Middle East, North and Sub Saharan Africa region’s entertainment network, has signed the first partnership deal in the region with Netflix – the world’s leading internet entertainment service – marking a bold first step for industry collaboration and integration.
The deal will enable OSN customers have access to Netflix through a set-top box launching near the end of the second quarter (around June), and will have the option of paying for Netflix through their existing OSN bills.
With an emphasis on delivering great value, the customer-first partnership brings Netflix’s entertainment catalogue to OSN screens across the region, cementing Netflix and OSN’s drive to offer something for everyone, on demand, anywhere and anytime.
Martin Stewart, CEO, OSN said: “The future of the entertainment industry in the MENA region will be shaped by providers who offer value and choice at every turn, and through this groundbreaking partnership with Netflix, we are demonstrating our customer-centric focus on delivering convenience and flexibility for all.”
A change in content needed to suit the new audience
The bigger challenge is actually producing shows that people in the area would like to watch. That makes it a tough sell when there’s plenty of localized material on rival services. If Netflix wants to have as much clout in the Middle East and Africa as it does in English- and Spanish-speaking countries, it’ll likely need to produce much more content that reflects the area’s cultures and languages.
Maria Ferreras, VP Business Development for EMEA at Netflix, said: “With this regional partnership and thanks to hundreds of Netflix’s original titles slated for 2018, OSN’s customers will be able to seamlessly access and enjoy all the best entertainment in one place.”
The deal will offer access to Hollywood movies, top TV shows, documentaries, independent films, stand-up comedy and a wide range of kid’s titles and Netflix’s critically-acclaimed original programming. Customers will also have access to exclusive series and films in Ultra HD 4K and HDR such as Bright, starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton. For original series, there are Netflix award-winning shows like Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, House of Cards and The Crown; global phenomena such as 13 Reasons Why and Narcos, and the new cyberpunk noir Altered Carbon. Netflix’s first Arabic stand-up comedy Adel Karam: Live from Beirut, is due to launch soon.
