Dubai-based streaming service STARZPLAY has partnered with Dubai payments provider TPAY to enable customers to pay for subscriptions via their mobile phone numbers using direct carrier billing. The collaboration initially targets nine million viewers in Orange Tunisia, Sudatel Sudan, and Chinguitel Mauritania, with plans to expand across the MENA region.
This partnership aims to simplify and secure subscription payments, facilitating STARZPLAY’s growth in entertainment and upcoming sports content offerings such as football, basketball, and boxing. TPAY expects the deal to boost its visibility among regional merchants, especially in streaming and digital sectors, leveraging its cross-border payment platform with compliance and risk management capabilities.
Market research forecasts the Middle East’s media and entertainment market will grow from USD 39.05 billion in 2023 to USD 61.23 billion by 2028, driven by younger audiences and demand for local Arabic content. STARZPLAY and TPAY’s collaboration is positioned to capitalize on this growth.
