CJ ENM and MBC Group have signed a long-term strategic partnership designed to expand Korean content on MBC Shahid and across the Middle East and North Africa, according to Variety. The centerpiece of the deal is a dedicated Tving space launching on MBC Shahid, with more than 13 new Korean titles set for release in 2026 and more than 20 titles from CJ ENM’s library joining the platform.
The agreement combines streaming and linear television distribution, a structure the companies say will let them reach MENA viewers wherever they choose to watch.
The Details Behind The Korean Content On MBC Shahid
Sebastian Kim of CJ ENM said the deal builds on an existing working relationship between the two companies. “We already work together, so this is a natural next step,” Kim said, according to Variety. “MBC Group has the reach and platforms to connect Korean content with MENA audiences, and we share a commitment to great storytelling.
As a leading local incumbent, MBC Group understands their audiences and brings the platforms to reach them.” Kim also described the structure of the agreement. “This is a multi-year deal and by combining streaming with linear television, we can reach audiences wherever they choose to watch,” Kim said.
“It also strengthens TVING’s brand presence in MENA.”
Selected titles will carry Arabic dubbing and subtitles. “Arabic dubbing and subtitles will also be available for selected titles,” Kim said. “This makes premium Korean content much more accessible to audiences across the region.”
Among the specific titles included are My Bias My Boss, The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, Filing for Love and Our Universe, Variety reported.
What It Means For Fans And Shahid Viewers
Simulcast availability on Shahid will let MENA audiences watch Korean series at the same time as viewers elsewhere in the world. Kim pointed to the broader appeal of Korean dramas as a factor in the partnership. “Korean content features universal storylines that audiences around the world can relate to,” Kim said.
“Many of our dramas are suitable for friends and families to gather and enjoy them together. The involvement of K-pop stars in some dramas also helps attract a diverse range of audiences. With simulcast availability on Shahid, audiences can follow these series alongside viewers around the world.”
Tareq Al Ibrahim, Director of MBC1, MBC Drama and MBC Shahid Content, framed the deal as more than a licensing arrangement. “For us, this is more than a content acquisition announcement,” Al Ibrahim said. “It reflects a shared long-term ambition between Shahid and CJ ENM to grow the presence of premium Korean entertainment in the Middle East and North Africa.”
Context And Why The Partnership Is Taking Shape Now
Al Ibrahim said Korean drama had already shown strong potential with MBC Shahid audiences before this agreement. “We believe there’s an opportunity to take it to the next level,” he said. “Working with CJ ENM and Tving gives us a consistent pipeline of premium, fresh Korean series, complemented by an extensive library of established titles. What changes is that we move from offering Korean content as individual acquisitions to building a more consistent, recognizable destination for K-drama fans across MENA.”
The arrangement pairs CJ ENM’s track record developing Korean stories for international audiences with Shahid’s knowledge of MENA viewers and its distribution infrastructure, according to Variety.
What’s Next
The partnership was announced Oct. 13, 2026, with more than 13 new Korean titles slated to arrive on MBC Shahid in 2026 as part of the initial rollout.
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