MBC Group, the MENA media and entertainment conglomerate, has announced its financial results for Q1 2025 reporting a 117.3 per cent YoY increase in net profit to SAR 263.5 million (€63.1m) on revenues of SAR 2 billion, up 65.4 per cent YoY, and yielding a net profit margin expansion of 3.1 percentage points to 12.9 per cent.

Growth was broad-based across the Group’s three segments buoyed by the seasonal impact of Ramadan, with the Group’s Broadcasting and Other Commercial Activities (BOCA) segment delivering growth in advertising and commercial activities, MBC’s SHAHID OTT platform witnessing its strongest Ramadan season on record with double-digit growth in SVoD and AVoD revenues, and the Group’s Media and Entertainment Initiatives continuing to benefit from growing commercial returns.

Mike Sneesby, Chief Executive Officer of MBC Group, commented: “Our first quarter results underscore MBC Group’s market leadership, with solid revenue growth and robust profitability driven by peaks in viewership and advertising during Ramadan. I’m honoured to take the helm of such a dynamic and fast-growing company and to lead a talented team whose vision and execution have driven these achievements. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in long-term business growth and sustainable profitability, prioritising premium content that resonates with our audiences, and harnessing AI to streamline operations and enhance personalisation, all while maintaining clear, disciplined engagement with our investors. Together, we will continue to shape the future of media and entertainment in the region and deliver lasting value for all our stakeholders.”

The BOCA segment recorded a 55.5 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue in Q1 2025, reaching SAR 1,205.3 million, compared to SAR 774.9 million in Q1 2024. Net profit rose 89.8 per cent to SAR 238.2 million, driving net margin to 19.8 per cent, up 3.6 percentage points. Growth was underpinned by continued strong advertising momentum, content distribution and large-scale media services in Saudi Arabia—including service agreements with the Saudi Sport Company (SSC), Ministry of Culture (MOC), General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and other key clients.

SHAHID, MBC GROUP’s high-growth OTT platform, delivered another quarter of robust expansion in Q1 2025, with total revenues rising 31.2 per cent year-on-year to SAR 391.3 million (Q1 2024: SAR 298.2 million). Most notably, SHAHID turned a net profit of SAR 13.3 million this quarter versus a net loss of SAR 6.5 million in Q1 2024, marking an important milestone toward the Group’s target of full-year breakeven by 2027. This profit achievement was driven primarily by Ramadan seasonality, which historically delivers peak engagement and advertising demand.

Revenues for the Media & Entertainment Initiatives (M&E) segment in Q1 2025 surged 174.9 per cent year-on-year to SAR 447.2 million (Q1 2024: SAR 162.7 million), and net profit expanded 443.1 per cent to SAR 12 million. Growth was driven by the phased recognition of several high‐profile projects that reached completion during the quarter, and growing management-fee income on commercially delivered programming.

Beyond the numbers, MBC GROUP continued to deliver on its strong and diverse content strategy, through scripted and unscripted formats, flagship international adaptations, premium originals, and exclusive sports coverage. Top-performing series included Share’ Al A’sha (the best-adapted series), Um 44 and Yawmiyyat Rajol Anis, reflecting strong demand fo Arabic storytelling. MBC Studios productions delivered standout performance in Q1 2025, with four of the top ten regional shows produced in-house, demonstrating the strategic value of the Group’s integrated content-to-distribution model. MBC has also created a successful slot for Saudi shows such as Khareef Al Qalb, which aired in 2024 and resonated with both Saudi and wider Arab audiences.

MBC is also advancing its use of data analytics and AI tools—subtitling, dubbing, content moderation, and AI-driven scheduling algorithms—to streamline workflows, enhance accuracy and ensure programming aligns ever more closely with viewer preferences and commercial objectives.

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Categories: Articles, Business, Results

Tags: MBC Group, MENA, OTT, Shahid