South Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM and Middle Eastern media conglomerate MBC Group have entered into a long-term strategic partnership to significantly expand the reach of K-content across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The deal brings CJ ENM content to MBC Shahid, the region’s leading streaming platform.
The agreement marks a departure from traditional licensing models by guaranteeing simulcast access for new titles. This allows MENA audiences to view series on MBC Shahid simultaneously with their premiere in South Korea, a move designed to provide legal, high-quality access to content while addressing piracy in the region.
Content Lineup and 2026 Rollout
As part of the pact, at least 13 new TVing original titles are scheduled for release throughout 2026. The partnership also includes more than 20 titles from CJ ENM’s existing content library, offering a mix of established hits and fresh programming.
Specific titles slated for the upcoming rollout include “My Bias, My Boss,” “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,” “Filing for Love,” “The Judge Returns,” and “Our Universe.” To ensure maximum accessibility for the local audience, selected content will be provided with both Arabic dubbing and subtitles.
Beyond digital streaming, the agreement secures an exclusive broadcast window for CJ ENM titles on the linear channel MBC4. This multi-platform approach ensures that Korean dramas and variety shows reach both the digital-first Shahid subscriber base and traditional television viewers.
Strategic Integration and Regional Leadership
The 2026 agreement is a deeper strategic integration that follows a content supply arrangement established between the two companies in 2025. It reinforces the position of MBC Group and CJ ENM as primary partners in the MENA entertainment landscape.
Tareq Alibrahim, Director of MBC1, MBC Drama, and MBC Shahid Content, noted that the deal reflects the growing demand for premium Korean storytelling in the region. Sebastian Kim, Vice President and Head of the Content Distribution Business Unit at CJ ENM, characterized the partnership as a natural progression in their global distribution strategy.
While they share a name, it is important to note that MBC Group is a Dubai-based media company and is a separate entity from MBC Korea, the South Korean broadcaster. This deal specifically bridges the gap between South Korea’s CJ ENM—the company behind TVing and global hits like “Parasite”—and the dominant media network in the Arab world.
The partnership will serve K-content fans by consolidating CJ ENM’s portfolio in the MENA territory. Implementation of the deal and the first wave of 13 original titles are expected to commence in early 2026.
