Television consumption has gone through a revolution with the explosion of over-the-top (OTT) players in the online sphere such as Netflix and Hulu. This major disrupter in traditional television models has transformed the way audiences consume content.
Despite the growing popularity of OTT around the world, in the Middle East and North Africa region pay-TV still dominates, with rising figures in viewership and revenue.
Broadcasters in the Mena region have been quick to react to the digital content revolution by redoubling their efforts to provide viewers with higher-quality programming in line with international standards that often surpasses the quality of online programming. Investment into live sports content is at an all-time high, catering to the growing number of sports fans in the region.
Additionally, the rise of innovative digital technologies such as the adoption of ultra-HD, or 4K, forms part of the mainstream in the UAE, offering incredibly high-quality programming.
As a result, the number of primary pay-TV households in the Mena region increased to 4.8 million at the end of last year, according to a recent IHS study, which is a year-on-year growth of 12.4 per cent. Pay TV revenue in the region grew by more than €100m (Dh416m) to €873m from 2013 to last year. The growth of pay-TV is expected to continue through 2019 in the region, with primary pay-TV households reaching 6.6 million and revenue increasing to €1.7 billion.
Nevertheless, the rise of the regional OTT distributors Starz Play and icflix, which provide quality regional and international programming in a number of languages and on a number of screens, has disrupted the traditional pay-TV channels. There is a growing demand for OTT in the region, as these services give viewers more choice of when and where they consume programming.
Regional viewers, however, do not favour a particular provider, pay-TV or OTT, so long as they deliver great programming over multiple screens. This has caused broadcasters to react with OTT propositions of their own, becoming the new disrupters. In addition to offering its own multiscreen services, pay-TV also offers its subscribers stand-alone and bundled forms of OTT.
The global rise of low-cost OTT services may well prepare the market for a new generation of pay-TV subscribers by instilling in an entire cohort of audiences the habits of paying for content.
How can pay-TV providers continue their dominance?
Regional broadcasters are increasing investments to produce more robust local content, which is in high demand throughout the region. These include localised documentaries, entertainment shows in Arabic and popular regional versions of international reality shows such as The Voice Ahla Sawt and Arabs Got Talent.
In addition, many pay-TV channels in the region offer international series and movies dubbed into Arabic, ensuring that viewers experience programming that is easy to understand.
The vast majority of regional audiences still consume most of their content on TV, with set top boxes, IPTV and free-to-air channels dominating content consumption. However, pay-TV providers are keeping up with increasing viewer demands by using the internet advantageously.
Price wars between OTT and pay-TV players will eventually come into play; however, as long as pay-TV companies follow robust business plans, consolidate smartly, efficiently employ local talent and resources, and prioritise Arabic content, pay-TV in the Mena region will continue to thrive.
Sanjay Raina is the general manager for Fox International Channels in the Middle East, North Africa and PakistanSanjay Raina is the general manager for Fox International Channels in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
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McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17
European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th
PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
