US-based online video streaming service Starz is launching its operations in the MENA region, offering Hollywood movies and TV series content.
Starz Play says it has over 3,000 movies and TV series episodes that will immediately be available after their US premiere, with content licensed from 12 studios including CBS/Showtime, Disney, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount, Shine, Sony, and Warner Bros. The new service aims to capture audiences who are currently using virtual private networks (VPN) to illegally access services like Netflix outside the US.
According to STARZ Play president Maaz Sheikh, the content offered will not be censored.
The company has 57 million viewers signed up in the US and is expanding to 17 new countries in the region, covering the GCC, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia.
Netflix don’t have rights for this region. We are not going to convert everyone, but proven research has shown that the combination of convenience, ease of use and quality of pricing is a killer combination, said STARZ Play president Maaz Sheikh.
The platform is available on PCs, Macs, iOS and Android, with up to five devices registered per subscription and the ability to watch on two simultaneously.
Our content is completely ad-free and full HD quality, it’s available at any given point in time and you can stream it on any device – all of which offers a strong value proposition, said Sheikh.
STARZ Play also confirmed that there are plans to launch Arabic content in the future.
The monthly subscription for starzplay.com is set at $13.99 (Dhs50) with a 30-day free trial. Service is expected to start this month.
