Region’s leading pay-TV network launches premium online TV platform, ‘Go by OSN’

Growing Internet consumption and multi-platform viewing trends spur OSN’s digital expansion

Dubai, UAE; May 18, 2014: Tapping into the growing appetite for digitised information and entertainment, the region’s leading pay-TV network, OSN, is set to revolutionise the entertainment sector with the launch of ‘Go by OSN’, the new premium online TV service.

For only US$10 per month, subscribers can enjoy thousands of hours of premium entertainment including Hollywood blockbusters, critically-acclaimed Arabic productions, award-winning TV series and popular kids content, contract and commitment-free, in just a few clicks. ‘Go by OSN’ is compatible with all Internet providers, and is available on fixed, wifi, 3G, and 4G mobile broadband across 22 countries in the MENA region. The service is currently available on PC’s and Macs, smartphones, and tablets and will soon be launched on Smart TV’s and gaming consoles.

David Butorac, Chief Executive Officer, OSN, said: “We are witnessing one of the biggest shifts in technology since the launch of the internet with mobile devices playing an increasingly important role in people’s lives today – especially the youth. As a pioneer of pay-TV, OSN has always believed in pushing the frontiers to achieve excellence in the region’s burgeoning television sector. With the launch of ‘Go,’ not only is OSN setting another benchmark, but we are creating a platform that reflects the changing viewing habits of consumers across the region.”

“With internet users across the region expected to reach over 400 million by 2015 and over 200 million people in the region currently below the age of 25, the potential for online TV streaming is tremendous. With ‘Go’, we are creating a new entertainment choice for those who traditionally have been depending on online video channels for content that is often illegitimate or low quality.”

With internet penetration of over 40% in the region, alongside mobile phone internet user penetration at an average of 54%, Butorac is confident ‘Go by OSN’ will strongly appeal to the fast growing ‘internet’ generation.

In Saudi Arabia and the UAE alone, smart phone penetration is at 79% and 72% respectively, while mobile internet access through smartphones stands at 84% and 83% respectively. Countries like Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are also witnessing faster mobile broadband growth compared to fixed broadband.

Emad Morcos, SVP – Business Development and Digital at OSN adds: “There is no other service in the market that has multiple Hollywood studio deals which enables ‘Go’ to play host to the most critically-acclaimed and diversified Western and Arabic content. This coupled with our strong line-up of Arabic productions and movies makes ‘Go’ an irresistible product.”

“Technology and consumer demands are changing quickly and ‘Go’ has thrust us into an exciting wave of rapid digital growth following the success of our award-winning catch-up service, OSN Play. Over the next few months, we will continue to invest in the world of digital so that we deliver the best in online entertainment.”

‘Go by OSN’ subscribers will have access to thousands of hours of licensed content including movie catalogues from top Hollywood studios such as Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Paramount and Sony.

In addition to the most-sought after television shows, ‘Go by OSN’ users can also access complete box sets of hit series such as Private Practice, Revenge, Justified, Cougar Town, among others, all available in their original format, dubbed, or subtitled in Arabic. At launch, the first feature-length documentary filmed in the UAE’s labour accommodation, Champ of the Camp will also be available.

Arabic series fans can enjoy an extensive line-up of Egyptian, Khaleeji, and Turkish shows, in addition to exclusive series during the Holy Month of Ramadan. More than 200 Arabic movies will also be available at launch, making ‘Go by OSN’ the largest premium online movie library. The network will continue to expand its robust line-up on ‘Go by OSN,’ ensuring that subscribers always have new content to watch.

Subscribers can also take advantage of dual-device screening, where two different shows can be streamed on separate devices simultaneously while the parental control feature empowers families to choose the content that is viewed. At just US$10 per month, subscribers can sign up for ‘Go by OSN’ contract and commitment-free, with an anytime cancellation policy.

To know more or to activate your seven day free dial, visit go.osn.com and create an account, download the ‘Go By OSN’ app from the android or itunes app store and enjoy!

*Source: IPSOS Digital Landscape 2014

OSN is the ultimate destination for the widest choice of brand new premium Western, Arabic, South Asian (Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Malayalam and Tamil) and Filipino entertainment in the Middle East and Africa.

OSN is the home to over 140 channels filled with great value entertainment, offering viewers in the MENA region exclusive access to the latest blockbuster movies, top rated series, sports, documentaries, news, kid’s entertainment and live talk shows.

The movie offering includes over a 100 uncut and uninterrupted movie premieres a month so viewers can watch them the way they were meant to be watched.

OSN boasts the most comprehensive portfolio of exclusive rights from all the major studios including Warner Brothers, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM, Universal, HBO and DreamWorks and offers access to the world’s leading television brands including Disney channel, Sky News, Discovery Network and Nat Geo.

Launched in August 2013, OSN Pehla brings the best of Bollywood movies and premium cricket, including exclusive telecast rights of international tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup and Indian cricket, through leading sports channels OSN Sports Cricket HD and Ten Cricket.

As the leader in innovation, OSN has changed the TV viewing experience by bringing quality entertainment through 44 High Definition channels and is currently the only network offering a full HD bouquet of channels as well as 3D entertainment in the region.

OSN was the first to launch the DVR, the OSN DVR HD; the regions first online TV platform, OSN Play; the regions first 3D, HD, internet enabled satellite receiver and recorder, OSN Plus HD and the region’s first VOD service, OSN on Demand offering viewers the opportunity to watch over 1000 movies and 52 latest seasons of the top series, all available in full HD quality and Dolby Digital sound.

September 2012 saw the launch of OSN’s rewards programme, OSN Privileges, offering subscribers money can’t buy experiences, special offers and premium prizes all year round.

The OSN platform is owned and operated by Panther Media Group Limited; a company registered in DIFC, and is owned by KIPCO and Mawarid Group Limited.