- Ground-breaking series will feature five standalone episodes inspired by Arab folklore from the UAE, KSA, Kuwait and Egypt
- The horror anthology is produced by Yasir Al Yasiri and features a host of different Emirati and Arab directors and cast for each episode
- STARZPLAY’s first Arabic language original series will be available for subscribers across the MENA region in February
Abu Dhabi, UAE; January 26, 2023: STARZPLAY, the platform ranked consistently among the region’s top three subscription video on demand services and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the Academy Award winning media and entertainment studio, have announced the launch of STARZPLAY’s first Arabic language original, Kaboos. The series is set to stream on the platform starting from Thursday, February 9.
Set in different eras and across countries in the MENA region, Kaboos is a modern-day retelling of Arab folklore. The series takes viewers on a journey through frightening urban legends from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and the UAE, with five standalone episodes depicting a spine-chilling modern retelling of a story inspired by regional mythology.
Spanning different genres of horror, from supernatural and classic horror stories to noir psychological thrillers, every episode of Kaboos is a uniquely eerie exploration of terrifying tales that have withstood the test of time. From ghouls that dwell in the isolated desert of Saudi Arabia, to a half-human, half-donkey hybrid that snatches children in Kuwait, and a mysterious, shape-shifting jackal in Egypt, Kaboos celebratesthe supernatural and the sinister side of urban myths.
Filmed across the UAE, KSA, Kuwait and Egypt, each episode is directed by leading directors from across the region, including Majid Al Ansari (Zinzana, Paramormal), Hana Kazim (Makr), Yasir Al Yasiri (122), Ahmed Khaled (30 March) and Hala Matar (Streetcar). The horror anthology series is produced by Yasir Al Yasiri’s and Mansoor Al Feeli’s production company, Starship Entertainment.
The launch of Kaboos is a testament to STARZPLAY’s commitment to diversify its content to meet the needs of its audiences. The platform saw a unique opportunity to create Arabic content in a niche category such as the thriller genre with stories from the region which will resonate with MENA viewers.
Nadim Dada, VP Programming and Content Acquisition, STARZPLAY, said: “Kaboos is our biggest content asset this year, our very first Arabic language original and we are very excited to roll out the production across the Middle East. Our goal at STARZPLAY has been to invest in content that is regionally relevant and as a homegrown platform we continuously strive to bring in content which our MENA audiences can relate to. We are confident that our subscribers will be immersed in the gripping tales of local and regional Arab mythology that will capture the Middle East’s penchant for storytelling, but with a modern twist.”
Kaboos features local and regional talent including Passant Shawky, Khaled Anward, Abrar Al Hamad, Rakeen Saad, Kady Al Qaisy and Ahmad Al Saeed. The TV series will be available to stream on STARZPLAY, with the first two episodes being released on February 9, with the remaining episodes released weekly.
Commenting on the production, Ben Ross, Chief Content Officer, Image Nation, said: “Image Nation Abu Dhabi constantly looks for challenging new projects that enable regional filmmakers to share the region’s contemporary heritage and culture with the world through Arabic-language content, and what better way to do so than through Arab myths and legends that embodies the regions love for storytelling. Kaboos balances terrifying horror scenes with storylines that explore human nature, offering nostalgic tales to Arab audiences while introducing global watchers to the complex and eerie world of Arab folklore through this inventive original series.”
With thousands of hours of premium content including blockbuster movies, exclusive TV shows, kids’ content, Arabic series, as well as varied content via add-on channels, STARZPLAY is the number one player in the MENA region. The service is available in 19 countries across the Middle East and North Africa for fans to enjoy quality content anytime, anywhere, and from any device.
About STARZPLAY:
Ranked consistently among the region’s top 3 subscription video on demand services, STARZPLAY Arabia (www.starzplay.com) streams an extensive bouquet of premium content covering Hollywood movies, TV shows, documentaries, the same-time-as-the-US series – plus live sports, dedicated kids’ entertainment and Arabic content – to 19 countries across the Middle East and North Africa.
STARZPLAY has thousands of premium titles including exclusive STARZPLAY Arabia original content such as Baghdad Central, Say Yes to the Dress Arabia, STARZ Original content such as Power, Outlander, Spartacus and The White Queen as well as discovery+ content. STARZPLAY Sports, STARZPLAY’s dedicated sports package, brings subscribers live & exclusive coverage of Italy’s premier football league, Serie A and major international and regional sports leagues and events across football, wrestling, cricket, UFC, boxing, basketball, cycling and more.
STARZPLAY Arabia has secured tie ups with a host of leading, global studios including MGM, 20th Century Studios, Warner Bros, Universal, Discovery and Fox International Channels. Until 2022, STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) was the lead investor along with media and technology investment firms including SEQ Investors and Delta Partners. In early 2021, STARZPLAY Arabia secured its first independent financing in the region of US$25 million (approx. AED 92 million) from Abu Dhabi based Ruya Partners. In March 2022, E-Vision, from e& and ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, acquired a majority equity stake of circa 57% in the company.
Reaching over to 2.1 million subscribers, STARZPLAY Arabia allows subscribers to watch its full HD and 4K content via most internet-enabled devices, smart TVs and game consoles, and is widely available on regional IPTV services. Its iOS and Android apps – installed on more than three million devices – also allow downloads for offline playback. Social Tags: @starzplayarabia Instagram, @starzplay Facebook, @STARZPlayArabia Twitter
About Image Nation Abu Dhabi:
Image Nation Abu Dhabi is an award-winning film and entertainment company which has built its reputation on breaking boundaries and unleashing imagination. It creates films, TV series, documentaries, and entertainment for consumers throughout the world and is the first UAE company to have multiple productions stream globally on Netflix. Its success spans the globe, screening content at over 400 international film festivals and receiving the industry’s highest honors, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and an Emmy.
Image Nation has a strong track record of producing high-quality productions through a combination of local talent and international expertise. The company encourages original thought and curiosity while providing a platform for inspiration and practical training through its robust development program, Arab Film Studio.
Its mission is to help build the film and entertainment industry across the GCC and MENA regions, a pioneering ambition in line with Abu Dhabi’s vision to shape a competitive, sustainable, and globally open economy. Image Nation enables all those who engage with it to become guardians of culture and ambassadors of change.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a diverse portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy.