A tailored version of global music streaming service Deezer is now available in across the Middle East and North Africa, giving users access to a wide selection of Arabic hits from media and entertainment-producer Rotana, it was announced on Sunday.
According to the company, music fans will also be able to instantly access local content from music production group Mazzika and Saudi-based telecom provider Qanawat, in addition to 53 million tracks from global artists.
The MENA regional Deezer app will also include playlists and content curated by local music editors. Users who sign up for the service can automatically access all content in Arabic if their preferred language is set to Arabic.
The launch follows the signing of an exclusive digital distribution agreement between Rotana and Deezer on August 2.
The service is now available – with local offers – for users in countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Kuwait, Tunisia, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain and Mauritania.
“We are really excited to bring Arabic listeners a unique and unrivalled blend of the best exclusive Arabic music and the most popular international tracks in one place,” said Deezer CEO Hans-Holger Albrecht.
“We are also proud to now offer music fans the Deezer app in Arabic, with an affordable premium offer as well as the opportunity to try Deezer for free.”
Albrecht added that Deezer will soon open a regional office in Dubai.
“While overall streaming levels are still relatively low in the Middle East and North Africa, we are confident that the will continue to grow rapidly,” he added.
New MENA users can also enjoy a free trial period of Dezeer’s premium service- which includes ad-free listening, downloads and offline listening - by signing up on their mobile devices, for which no payment details are required.
Deezer has 14 million monthly active users in 180 countries.