التكنولوجيا وأخبارها بوابة مصر لأخبار تكنولوجيا المعلومات والإتصالات
In-depth study on streaming video in MENA reports 141% growth in number of unique users by STARZPLAY
· Both carryover and new subscribers showed steady growth intensifying during COVID-19
· STARZPLAY grew its user base by over 40% during 2019; growth took off with the active user base more than doubling from January 2019 to April 2020
· Series consistently represent about 80% of total viewing
· The total consumption of STARZPLAY content during Ramadan 2020 more than tripled compared to the same period in 2019
· In Egypt, number of hours by user nearly doubled from 7.21 in January 2019 to 13.95 in May 2020 and has a strong carryover subscriber base
STARZPLAY, the leading subscription video on demand
(SVOD) service in the MENA region, reported a robust and
durable growth of 141 per cent in the number of unique
users during April 2020, when the COVID-19 crisis peaked
in the region, according to a new study on ‘The Rise and
Rise of Streaming Video in the MENA Market.’
Conducted by PSB Research, a leading global insights
consultancy, the study examined SVOD trends over a period
from January 2019 to May 2020, covering two key phases –
the COVID-19 situation that led to lockdowns and
Ramadan, when home-entertainment typically spikes in the
region. The findings were presented in a detailed report
launched today at a virtual media briefing by Maaz Sheikh,
Co-founder and CEO of STARZPLAY, attended by senior
officials of the company.
The report presents streaming video trends under three
broad divisions: SVOD in the New Reality (following the
COVID-19 crisis), SVOD Growth Trends during Ramadan,
and Overall Content & Consumption Trends. Each offers
compelling insights on how the entertainment landscape
has been transformed by STARZPLAY, a homegrown
platform that records year-on-year and durable growth in
its number of unique users.
In Egypt, number of hours by user increased from 7.21 in
January 2019 to 13.95, nearly double, in May 2020. With a
strong carryover subscriber base, the country also reported
a notable uptick in users watching STARZPLAY content on
television year-on-year and during COVID-19.
Maaz Sheikh said the independently conducted study by
PSB provides new and informed insights on how the region
has adapted to streaming video and the growing popularity
of STARZPLAY’s balanced portfolio of content, both in
Arabic and English.
“COVID-19 has fundamentally altered how entertainment is
consumed in the region, as elsewhere across the world,”
said Maaz Sheikh. “As the region’s pioneering and
homegrown SVOD platform, we are honoured to be at
forefront in this truly revolutionary growth. Our year-on-
year growth is led by our focus on meeting the aspirations
of our subscribers by offering content that is truly relevant
to them, and by deploying breakthrough technology such as
our advanced recommendation engines. The findings will
enable us to hone our content and offering further and assure greater value to our subscribers.”
David James, Senior Vice President of PSB, added: “This
comprehensive study of streaming video trends gives us a
unique understanding of entertainment choices among
consumers in MENA during COVID-related quarantines. The
extensive data made available by STARZPLAY allowed us to
evaluate changing consumption patterns among their
subscribers – both new and carryover – to better
understand emerging realities in SVOD consumption.”
In top findings, the study observes that STARZPLAY has
recorded strong and sustained growth in the number of
unique users from 2019, peaking at 141 per cent during the
peak of COVID-19, when severe travel restrictions and
lockdowns were enforced in key markets. Between January
2019 and April 2020, STARZPLAY’s active user base
increased by 141 per cent, the growth gaining traction from
January 2020 (42 per cent), February (41 per cent), March
(89 per cent) and April (141 per cent).
The direct influence of COVID-19 on STARZPLAY’s user
base was also evaluated. The number of new subscribers
across all markets increased by 58 per cent between
February and April 2020, and continued to maintain growth
levels in May, higher than the pre-COVID months.
Subscribers also consumed more content during COVID-19,
with an increase of 50 per cent in streaming hours per
unique user. Prior to the pandemic, STARZPLAY users
averaged around 12 hours per month in 2019. However,
consumption increased to 13 hours in February 2020, 15
hours in March and 17 hours in April. More of its
subscribers watched STARZPLAY content in May 2020 too,
recording a peak of 19 hours, coinciding with Ramadan.
The key finding on consumption trends during Ramadan is
that while Ramadan 2019 had the lowest usage by
STARZPLAY subscribers during the year, 2020 saw
streaming levels spike. A week-on-week comparison of the
four weeks Ramadan in 2019 and 2020, indicate a
significant surge in consumption of STARZPLAY content by
its users. The total consumption of STARZPLAY content
during Ramadan 2020 more than tripled compared to the
same period in 2019.
In overall content and consumption trends, STARZPLAY
reinforced its position as a primetime player in
entertainment with bulk of viewing taking place during
evening and night. Further, though English content remains
the dominant choice, Arabic content doubled its share of
total consumption reaching a peak in the early stages of the
pandemic. On average, the hours streamed in Arabic has
increased from just about 5 per cent in January 2019 to
about 10 per cent in January 2020. Five times more Arabic
content was streamed during COVID-19 months than at the
start of the year.
