Market Overview
The GCC online entertainment market size reached USD 14.3 Billion in 2025. The market is projected to expand significantly, with expectations to reach USD 81.1 Billion by 2034. This growth is driven by enhanced internet connectivity, proliferation of mobile devices, growing interest in tailored digital content, technological advancements, expanding streaming services, strategic alliances, focus on regional content, and supportive government policies. The forecast period spans 2026-2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.65%. Video leads by form with a 43.6% share, and smartphones dominate by device with a 46.5% share, while Saudi Arabia holds the largest country share in 2025.
How Streaming Bundling is Reshaping the Future of GCC Online Entertainment Market:
- The GCC's growing focus on consolidated streaming access is driving a significant shift toward bundled subscription models, with MBC Group's Shahid launching the region's first three-way streaming bundle combining Shahid, Disney+, and OSN+ under one unified subscription and billing plan starting December 18, 2025.
- MBC Group and Netflix partnered on MBCNOW in 2026, delivering the full Netflix catalogue alongside Shahid and MBC's linear TV channels in a single bundled subscription offering over 21% savings versus separate subscriptions, marking Netflix's first such bundling deal in the MENA region.
- The Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 concluded with a strong focus on AI LiveOps, mobile gaming, cloud technology, and esports, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's ambitions as a global gaming and digital entertainment hub.
- Livestreaming platform Kick continued aggressive expansion across the Gulf in 2026, already attracting around 250,000 daily viewers in Saudi Arabia alone, as the Kingdom's esports investment fuels a new generation of professional content creators.
- The Dubai Esports & Games Festival 2026 took place in May, featuring GameExpo and the GameExpo Summit at Dubai World Trade Centre, while Saudi Arabia's Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh had already set records with 750 million viewers and USD 70 million in prizes.
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Market Growth Factors
Wider access to broadband and mobile internet is the primary driver of growth for the online entertainment sector? The increased popularity of smartphones and tablets is making entertainment offerings more convenient? Generation Alpha children (aged 8-15) in the UAE have a meaningful impact on the nation's digital economy and spend 47% of their pocket money on e-gaming‚ more than their peers in the UK‚ US and China?
Increased disposable income and spending per capita across the GCC countries is supporting the content consumption scenario in the region as a greater number of consumers can afford subscriptions to streaming services? Social media and user-generated content platforms are also contributing to the content consumption growth story in the region?
Government-sponsored activity in digital infrastructure should have a positive influence on growth over the forecast period? Ooredoo Kuwait teamed up with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information to launch its digital entertainment service‚ which attracted over 6 million views from audiences in 186 countries across the globe within the first 90 days of trial screening?
Market Segmentation
Form Insights:
- Video
- Audio
- Games
- Internet Radio
- Others
Revenue Model Insights:
- Subscription
- Advertisement
- Sponsorship
- Others
Device Insights:
- Smart Phones
- Smart TVs, Projectors, and Monitors
- Laptop, Desktop, and Tablets
- Others
Country Insights:
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Bahrain
We explore the factors propelling the GCC online entertainment market growth, including technological advancements, consumer behaviors, and regulatory changes.
Recent Development & News
August 2026: Gamingtec receives a Gaming-Related Vendor Licence from the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, enabling it to supply its modular turnkey platform with over 10,000 casino games to licensed operators.
July 2025: Netflix and Shahid launch the first joint subscription package in the Middle East through MBCNOW in Saudi Arabia, combining international and Arabic content with more than 21 percent savings versus separate subscriptions.
December 2025: Shahid, Disney+ and OSN+ introduce the GCC’s first all-in-one streaming bundle, offering access to all three platforms under a single subscription priced at roughly the cost of two services.
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