MBC Group, a prominent media and entertainment conglomerate in the Middle East and North Africa region, has reported impressive financial results for the first half of 2025. The company experienced a significant 37.8% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching SAR3 billion ($800 million). Net profit also saw a substantial rise of 41.1% to SAR335.4 million ($89.4 million), with margins improving to 11.1%.
In the second quarter of 2025, MBC Group recorded a 2.5% increase in revenue to $263.4 million. However, net profit decreased by 38.3% compared to the previous year, mainly due to the timing of Ramadan and geopolitical uncertainties impacting advertiser sentiment.
The Broadcast, Operations, Content, and Advertising (BOCA) segment continued to be the primary revenue driver for MBC, with a 29.6% increase in first-half revenues to $463.4 million. Net profit in this segment also rose by 23.7% to $83.7 million. Additionally, Broadcast & Technical Services revenue surged by 52.7% to $197.3 million, driven by significant government and institutional contracts.
Shahid, the streaming platform owned by MBC Group, witnessed a 25% growth in revenue to $185.8 million. Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) revenue increased by 24.4% to $144.1 million after the implementation of measures to combat password-sharing. The platform also achieved a net profit of $720,000, marking a considerable turnaround from a $6.2 million loss in the previous year.
The Media & Entertainment Initiatives unit of MBC Group experienced substantial growth, nearly doubling revenue to $159.3 million and tripling net profit to $5 million. This growth was attributed to successful programming projects and increased management fees.
Some of the notable content highlights from the first half of 2025 included popular shows like the Saudi-Turkish drama “Ommi,” the pan-Arab thriller “Aser,” and the Ramadan hit “Share’ Al A’sha,” which received multiple awards at the Al Dana Drama Awards. The comedy series “Yawmiyyat Rajol Anis” also won accolades at the same ceremony.
As of the end of Q2, MBC Group had over 150 projects in the pipeline, with more than 90% of them produced in Saudi Arabia. CEO Mike Sneesby expressed satisfaction with the company’s performance, emphasizing the strength and resilience of their diversified business model. He highlighted the importance of investing in premium content, expanding digital platforms, and leading the evolution of Arab media in the region.
Moving forward, MBC Group remains committed to its strategic focus on scalable content, digital platform growth, and innovation in the Arab media landscape. With a solid foundation and a commitment to excellence, the company is well-positioned for continued success in the coming years.
