MBC Hope launched in June 2013 to handle social engagement campaigns like "Syrians without an address" and "Stars on board." In 2017, it expanded to Egypt to support female entrepreneurs.[8]
In 2022, MBC relocated to Riyadh and expanded its operations. The group now oversees Shahid (largest Arabic streaming platform), 19+ TV/radio channels, MBC Studios, MBC Academy, and MBC Talent Agency.[9][10][11][12]
MBC partners with telecoms and international production studios, and also develops projects in video games, NFTs, and digital currencies.[13][14][15]
In 2023, 60% of MBC group was owned by Istedamah Holding Company (a subsidiary of the Saudi government's Ministry of Finance[16]), with the rest belonging to its founder Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim.[16][17] In 2023, MBC Group announced its initial public offering (IPO). The offering consisted of a primary offering of 33,250,000 new ordinary shares, representing 10% of the company's share capital post-listing. This move marked a significant step in the company's financial strategy and opened up new avenues for investment and growth.[18] By October 2024, the stake owned by Istedamah had dropped to 54%,[19] and this stake was transferred to the Public Investment Fund in November 2024.[5]
In 2023, total revenue reached SAR 3.7 billion (+6.2%) and net profit SAR 69 million (+44.8%). 60% of MBC was owned by Istedamah Holding Company (Saudi Ministry of Finance subsidiary) and the rest by Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim.[6]
MBC announced its IPO on the Tadawul in November 2023, with a share price range of SAR 23–25. The IPO raised SAR 831 million with huge demand.[20][21][22][23]
Following the IPO, shares rose 30% on debut (Jan 8, 2024) and 134% by Jan 25, 2024. 2024 revenue: SAR 4.2 billion (+13.1%); net profit SAR 426.1 million (+515.2%).[24][25][26][27][28]
In September 2025, the PIF became a major shareholder, acquiring 54% through Istedamah Holding Company for SAR 7.469 billion.[6]
MBC Shahid is the first free video on demand service in the Middle East and North Africa and one of the region’s most popular streaming platforms, offering the largest library of Arabic content.[38] It is also the largest premium video on demand service globally outside China, the US, and India and operates as an over‑the‑top streaming platform delivering content directly over the internet.[39]
Shahid features MBC's own shows along with dubbed or subtitled foreign content. In January 2020, it partnered with Disney and Fox to add over 3,000 hours of content, including Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney classics such as Frozen, alongside nine new Arabic originals.[38]
In December 2024, Shahid led the subscription video‑on‑demand market in the Middle East and North Africa with approximately 4.4 million subscribers, ahead of competitors such as YouTube Premium and Netflix.[40]
Radio stations
MBC FM logo
MBC Group radio stations
Station
launched
Description
Ref
MBC Loud FM
2023
English-language radio station airing contemporary Western music. It is the first international contemporary hit radio (CHR) station in Saudi Arabia.
In 2018, MBC established its own production studio to produce film and television series targeting at Middle-Eastern audiences.[44] MBC Studios later expanded to work with Hollywood studios to produce English-language features.[45]
MBC Studios also produces Arabic works with international standards and broadcasts them globally, such as the crime drama series "Rashash" and "Rise of the Witches."[53] In Ramadan/April 2025, MBC 1 aired the series "Muawiya," produced by MBC Studios, which is considered one of the largest historical productions in Arabic drama.[54][55] In September of the same year, the Venice International Film Festival hosted the premiere of the film "The Voice of Hind Rajab," which was co-produced by MBC Studios alongside a number of major Hollywood and international studios, and was written and directed by the Tunisian Kaouther Ben Hania.[56][57][58]
Reception
In 2007, MBC aired its first Turkish soap opera dubbed into Arabic. These shows became very popular, with over 85 million viewers watching the finale of Gümüş.[59] In 2018, all Turkish programs were removed, reportedly under Saudi government direction.[60]
↑Arabic: مجموعة إم بي سي (romanized: Majmūʿat ʾIm Bī Sī); formerly known as Middle East Broadcasting Center (مركز تلفزيون الشرق الأوسط, Markaz Tilifizyūn al-Sharq al-ʾAwsaṭ)
12Magid, Pesha (21 November 2023). "Media group MBC expects IPO in coming months, says CEO". Reuters. The company [MBC Group] is split between state-owned Al Istedamah Holding with a 60% stake and the MBC founder and chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, who owns the other 40%. A senior government official previously confirmed that the Ministry of Finance owns Istedamah.
↑Carroll, Rosaleen (21 October 2024). "What's behind Algeria's suspension of Saudi-owned Al Arabiya?". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 22 October 2024. MBC, formerly known as the Middle East Broadcasting Center, is one of the largest broadcasting groups in the region. The media group, in which the Saudi government maintains a 54% stake, is based in Riyadh
↑Writer, Staff (30 November 2023). "MBC announces IPO share price range". Arabian Business: Latest News on the Middle East, Real Estate, Finance, and More. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
