Streaming Services Available in Middle East & Africa (2026)
Shahid, OSN+, ShowMax, and global services in the MENA region and sub-Saharan Africa. What is available by country, what is censored, and pricing.
The Middle East has Shahid (Arabic content, free + paid) and OSN+ for premium content. Sub-Saharan Africa is led by ShowMax (South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria) and Multichoice/DStv Now.
Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video operate across most of the Middle East and parts of Africa. The region also has strong local platforms: Shahid for Arabic content across the Middle East and North Africa, OSN+ for premium content in the Gulf and Levant, and ShowMax for sub-Saharan Africa. Here is the country-by-country breakdown.
Middle East streaming overview
| Service | Coverage | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Most MENA countries | SVOD | Arabic subtitles/dubbing available |
| Disney+ | Selected MENA countries | SVOD | Expanding coverage |
| Amazon Prime Video | Most MENA countries | SVOD | |
| Shahid | 22+ Arab countries | AVOD + SVOD | MBC Group; Arabic-language focus |
| OSN+ | Gulf, Levant, North Africa | SVOD | Premium Hollywood + regional content |
| Starzplay (Lionsgate+) | MENA region | SVOD | Hollywood movies and series |
Shahid: the leading Arabic platform
Shahid is the Middle East's most widely used Arabic-language streaming service, owned by MBC Group — the region's largest media company. It carries:
- MBC channel content (MBC 1, MBC Drama, MBC Action, MBC Bollywood and others)
- Original Arabic series
- Egyptian cinema
- International content with Arabic subtitles
- Live TV channels
Shahid has a free ad-supported tier and Shahid VIP, the paid subscription. It operates in 22+ Arab countries and is accessible in Arabic-diaspora markets.
OSN+: premium Middle East streaming
OSN+ is the streaming service of OSN (Orbit Showtime Network), the pay-TV operator that has served the Middle East and North Africa for decades. OSN+ carries:
- HBO and Max content (Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, etc.)
- Paramount Network content
- OSN original and regional productions
- Sports content
OSN+ is positioned as the premium tier of Middle Eastern streaming. It is available across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the Levant, and North Africa.
Africa: ShowMax and DStv Now
Sub-Saharan Africa's streaming market is led by ShowMax and the broader Multichoice/DStv network.
ShowMax (owned by Multichoice and partially by Comcast) operates across sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana. It carries local African originals, international content, and sports. ShowMax has invested in local productions across multiple African languages and markets.
DStv Now is the streaming companion to DStv, the dominant pay-TV service in sub-Saharan Africa. DStv covers over 50 African countries through satellite and streaming. DStv subscribers can stream their channels through the DStv Now app.
South Africa
South Africa has one of Africa's most developed streaming markets:
- Netflix South Africa — available with local pricing; growing South African original content
- Amazon Prime Video — available in South Africa
- Apple TV+ — available
- Disney+ — launched in South Africa
- ShowMax — local originals, DStv channel content, sports
- DStv Now — companion to DStv satellite subscription
North Africa
North Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) has access to most global services plus strong regional platforms:
- Netflix and Amazon Prime Video both operate in Egypt and Morocco
- Shahid is widely used across North Africa for Arabic content
- OSN+ covers parts of North Africa
- Local broadcasters (MBC, Al Jazeera Media Network properties) have streaming arms available regionally
Pricing for global services in North Africa is generally lower than Western markets, reflecting local purchasing power adjustments.