MBC Group re-launches online TV library Shahid.net

Launched with over 200 titles, the website offers prime time show programming, twenty six of which are new releases, which will debut in Ramadan and cover almost every genre, from comedy, to drama and religion.

Commenting on the launch, Abe Naga, Online Business Manager at MBC Group, said, "Shahid is more than just a catch-up service, it is a target destination for premium video content."

Abe added, "We take pride in having the biggest online TV library in the region that hosts the most popular Arabic TV shows, animated series and documentaries, not to mention flagship Ramadan programs on MBC such as Bab El Hara, TASH, Khawater, as well as prominent Egyptian, Persian, Indian and Turkish series. We also plan to launch titles from studios such as HBO and Warner."

Shahid.net attracted over 5 million visits during the month of Ramadan last year, and has since clocked up over 30 million visits, as 1 in 5 new visitors to the service convert to regular users. Shahid users in MENA, USA and Europe like what they see, and with 8 out of 10 returning daily, the service has seen a +111% year-on-year growth in average monthly unique visitors this year, so far (January - May 2011) - tracking well ahead of industry forecasts for the yearly growth in Internet users in MENA.

Abe added, "Arabic being one of the fastest growing languages today, there is a demand for high quality Arabic content which Shahid delivers, while enhancing the TV viewing experience, facilitating TV everywhere, on every Internet-connected device consumers feel comfortable using...etc" This re-launch takes further cognizance of the evolving consumer media landscape by adding more functionality, content and a better user experience."