Page 26 - SAMENA Trends - September 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Omantel Collaborates with STARZPLAY to

Provide the Leading Entertainment Platform

In line with its efforts to provide innovative on the customer and the importance of some of the most important studios in
digital services, Omantel, the Sultanate’s partnerships for STARZPLAY as a business the entertainment business, such as
first and pioneer provider of integrated as we continue to expand across the MENA 20th Century Fox, CBS, Disney, Lionsgate,
telecom services, announced the launch of region and beyond. “We look forward to Paramount, Showtime, Sony, Starz,
the Direct Carrier Billing with STARZPLAY, working closely with Omantel to ensure we Universal and Warner Bros. STARZPLAY
the region’s leading SVOD entertainment are providing its customers with exactly also delivers amazing value – for a
and largest Arabic content platform. The what they are looking for – unrivalled low monthly fee subscribers can enjoy
new service enables Omantel’s postpaid content with flexible payment options, unlimited ad-free access to a wide choice
and prepaid customers to purchase making their lives easier.” STARZPLAY is of entertainment. Developed exclusively
movies and TV shows with no credit card a subscription video on demand (SVOD) for the MENA region, STARZPLAY features
required. Instead, all purchases will be service that streams thousands of one-click Arabic subtitling plus Arabic
charged directly to customers’ monthly blockbuster Hollywood movies, TV shows, and French audio options. Additionally,
bills or prepaid accounts, driving customer documentaries, kid’s entertainment the service allows customers to watch
value through easier payment options. and same-day-as-the-US series – plus anytime, anywhere on an iOS or Android
Commenting on the partnership, Andrew dedicated Arabic and Bollywood content – device, supports Mac and Windows
Hanna, Chief Commercial Officer at to 20 countries across the Middle East and browsers, and streams via Apple TV,
Omantel said: “Our initiatives are always North Africa. According to the IHS Markit Chromecast, a PS4 console or directly to
centered on providing state-of-the-art Pay TV & Online Video Report MENA 2019, a Samsung smart TV. Available on regional
technologies and latest services to our STARZPLAY is the MENA region’s leading IPTV services, STARZPLAY is continually
customers. This new service comes as we platform in terms of subscriptions for adding support for numerous other gaming
seek to enhance our customers’ experience the second consecutive year, with 29% and smart devices, and allows downloads
and stimulate procedures by providing market share. In addition to securing its for offline playback. For the ultimate
them with alternative payment options position as a joint market leader in terms convenience STARZPLAY also offers new
for their purchases of online content”. of revenue with a 32% market share. subscribers a free trial as well as abroad
‘STARZPLAY platform is made available to STARZPLAY utilizes advanced technology range of payment methods including credit
our customers through weekly packages to provide a premium viewing experience card and mobile operator billing, with a ‘no
for R.O 1.2 and monthly package for R.O 4 with full HD and 4K content sourced from contracts – cancel anytime’ proposition.
only. As an introductory offer,
we are pleased to announce
that customers can avail free
seven days trial of the service
and enjoy a wide range of
Hollywood & Pollywood
movies, TV and documentary
films as well as entertainment
programs for kids. Customers
can subscribe to the
weekly package by sending
‘1’ or ‘2’ for the monthly
package to 90202” Andrew
concluded. Danny Bates,
Chief Commercial Officer and
Co-Founder at STARZPLAY,
added: “This tie-up with
Omantel underpins our
commitment to the Omani
market, our unswerving focus

26 SEPTEMBER 2019