TV Shows & Broadcast Series in Saudi Arabia

Here is how this works in practice. We line-produce broadcast series for the pan-Arab television system. Saudi-headquartered playout drives the market. Major TV networks have MBC Group (MBC1, MBC2, MBC4, MBC Action, MBC Masr, plus Shahid SVOD — the largest Arabic streaming sites). Other TV networks have the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation, Rotana Cinema, Rotana Khalijia, Al Arabiya (the pan-Arab news channel between Riyadh and Dubai), and Saudi 24 News.

Stage capacity anchors the production. MBC Studios Riyadh and Jeddah carry the bulk of pan-Arab broadcast capacity. NEOM Bajdah Studios opened in late 2022 — the 9,000 m² sound-stage tricky is the largest in MENA, and now hosts top long-form series for global SVOD sites.

Here is the short of it. Ramadan is the structural anchor of the Saudi and pan-Arab TV calendar. The 30-episode Ramadan musalsalat (drama series) deliver primetime ratings unmatched anywhere else in the year. MBC commissions 15-20 new Ramadan series annually for the post-iftar slot.

Vision 2030 has accelerated industry growth. The market has grown at roughly 20% year-on-year since the 2018 cinema reopening. The Cultural Development Fund 40% cash rebates (35% base plus 5% Saudi-content uplift) drives inward production.

Here is the breakdown. Pre-production routes through two main authorities. The Saudi Film Commission handles foreign-crew accreditation. GCAM handles content licensing. Ramadan-series timetables are top. Pre-production mostly runs January-March. Principal photography runs February-April. The broadcast window is April-May. Full delivery to MBC playout happens 30 days before the holy month starts.

Multi-camera block-shooting is standard. The standard rig is three-camera A/B/C cross-coverage with steadicam fly. REMI fiber sends feed to MBC playout in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Location work spans many sites. MBC Studios Riyadh and Jeddah host studio drama. NEOM Bajdah's six sound stages handle long-form. AlUla's Hegra, Maraya, and Ashar Valley serve prestige period drama. Diriyah At-Turaif handles heritage drama. Jeddah Al-Balad heritage merchant houses serve period work. Riyadh's Olaya and Diplomatic Quarter serve today's drama.

Here is what that looks like on the ground. Climate scheduling pushes exterior work into the October-April window. Sound-stage shooting runs year-round. Crews are two-tongue. On-camera dialogue runs in Najdi or Hejazi dialect. MSA final masters route for pan-Arab distribution via MBC Jeddah post and Image Production House Dubai.