iWorld
SVOD subscribers base to reach 22 million in Arab countries: Report
Mumbai: In a forecast report from Digital TV Research on Monday, it is noted that there will be 21.52 million paying SVOD subscriptions [TV episodes and movies only], up from 9.49 million in 2021, across 13 Arabic countries by 2027 in the next five years.
The largest player in the region will continue to be Netflix, which will see its Arabic base increase from 3.55 million to 5.45 million by 2027. Despite its fast growth, Disney+ will remain behind Shahid VIP (second place), increasing from 2.16 million to 3.77 million, while Starzplay will be in third with 3.47 million.
With its launch in the region earlier this year, Disney+ is set to have an explosively growing launch period to become the fourth largest player with 3.39 million, with Amazon seeing similar massive growth from 715,000 in 2021 to 2.35 million in 2027.
After Disney+ withdrew its content and launched as a standalone platform, OSN lost some traction. However, OSN will retain exclusive rights to HBO Max and Paramount+ content. By 2027, OSN will have 1.60 million paid SVOD subscribers.
Digital TV Research principal analyst Simon Murray commented, “Netflix will continue to lead the market, although Disney+ has provided a strong challenge since June. We assume that Netflix and Disney+ will add hybrid ad-supported tiers in a pan-Arabic platform from 2024.”
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
