Discovery has struck a strategic partnership with VOD player Starzplay to launch streamer Discovery Plus in 18 countries and territories across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Subscribers can now watch Discovery Plus content within a branded block across all existing Starzplay platforms.
Content available at launch in the MENA region include global franchises like “Shark Week,” “MythBusters,” “Gold Rush,” “Expedition Unknown,” “House Hunters International,” “90 Day Fiancé,” “NASA’s Unexplained Files” and “Say Yes to the Dress.” Discovery originals such as “The Impossible Row,” “Amy Schumer Learns to Cook (Uncensored),” and “JonBenet Ramsey: What Really Happened?” will also be available.
In addition, the streamer will offer programs from Discovery-owned Arabic cooking channel Fatafeat (pictured), along with environmental programming from the BBC’s natural history library, including “Planet Earth” and “Blue Planet.”
The service is priced at Emirati Dirham/Saudi Arabian Riyal 15 ($4) per month, which will be in addition to existing Starzplay subscription packages, with a seven-day free trial period.
Francesco Perta, senior business development and distribution director for the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and North East Europe at Discovery Inc, said: “Our vast content library gives us a running start to serve fans directly in markets across EMEA, and the world, in ways that are relevant, compelling and tailored to each market. Our partnership with Starzplay is another example of how we are scaling our DTC businesses by leveraging our combination of competitive advantages — content ownership, brand strength and the biggest global footprint in media.”
Maaz Sheikh, CEO and co-founder of Starzplay, said: “The unprecedented growth of online streaming has driven the need for compelling content that provides real value for subscribers. As the region’s pioneering and homegrown SVOD platform, we have been building in strategic partnerships to offer more online content and varied choices to our subscribers. We are confident that the Discovery Plus add-on will be welcomed by the MENA audience and we look forward to growing this partnership further.”
