Subscribers across MENA can now enjoy UFC live events as well as an extensive Video-on-demand (VOD) Library on STARZPLAY
Dubai, UAE; January 13, 2021: Abu Dhabi Media, the UAE’s leading public service broadcaster, and STARZPLAY, the region’s fastest-growing subscription video on-demand service, today announced a strategic partnership to live-stream UFC events across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The launch comes ahead of UFC Fight Island’s return to Abu Dhabi from January 16th, and the eagerly anticipated bout between UFC superstar Conor McGregor and former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier on January 24.
As part of the partnership, STARZPLAY subscribers will have access to all UFC Live events as well as an extensive VOD content library of previous fights, shows, interviews, and special content such as Dana White’s Contender Series.
Danny Bates, CCO and Co-Founder of STARZPLAY, said: “Our partnership with Abu Dhabi Media to include UFC Arabia on STARZPLAY further strengthens our content. With more and more people taking to online streaming services, offering diverse content for our subscribers is our differentiating strength. Through this partnership, our subscribers can now watch all the excitement of UFC on STARZPLAY.”
Yaqoub Al Saadi, Head of Abu Dhabi Sports Channels, Abu Dhabi Media, said: “We are excited to announce that the region’s UFC fans can now enjoy access to live streamed UFC events, as well as a significant content library of previous content, through STARZPLAY. This decision to expand access to UFC Arabia is part of our on-going strategy to provide compelling digital content for consumers and is in line with our commitment to bringing major sports to viewers in the region.”
UFC fans can clear off their calendars for the upcoming week as this partnership will give subscribers the chance to enjoy a slate of highly anticipated fight island events. The first UFC events to be live streamed on STARZPLAY include UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HOLLOWAY vs. KATTAR on January 16 and UFC FIGHT NIGHT : CHIESA vs. MAGNY on January 20. Additionally, fans can also look forward to UFC 257 match on January 24 which sees Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor going head to head on Fight Island, Abu Dhabi. All these fights will be live streamed on STARZPLAY, the UFC Arabia application, as well as Abu Dhabi Fight Channel, the first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighting channel in the region.
UFC Arabia is now available on STARZPLAY for just AED/SAR 18.99, in addition to existing subscription packages. Download STARZPLAY via respective iOS and Android app stores.
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About Abu Dhabi Media
Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) is the UAE’s leading public service broadcaster and media company that focuses on developing, producing and distributing unique premium content, covering news, entertainment, sports and culture to a wide array of demographics across the Arab World.
Established in 1969, in line with the vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ADM has become one of the largest media companies in the Middle East and GCC regions and has a major role in fulfilling and promoting the key pillars of the UAE.
Focusing on digital first content, ADM’s portfolio includes exclusively digital assets, as well as digital and traditional platforms for its TV, radio, and print assets.
ADM is also available on Smart TV applications, including Apple TV and Android TV, delivering streaming, catch-up and video on demand services on ADTV and AD Sports. Also, the new addition of AD Radio’s digital platforms and applications features audio and podcast streaming across the radio assets.
Today, ADM includes 23 media assets, as well as two subsidiaries – Tawzea and UPP.
Abu Dhabi Media 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.
For more information, please visit: www.admedia.ae
About STARZPLAY
STARZPLAY (www.starzplay.com) is a subscription video on demand service that streams Hollywood and Arabic movies, TV shows, documentaries, kids’ entertainment and STARZPLAY original content – to 20 countries across MENA and Pakistan.
STARZPLAY has seen phenomenal year-on-year growth since its launch in 2015, reaching over a million paying subscribers and installed on more than six million devices. STARZPLAY has secured US$125 million in equity funding through STARZ, a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A), State Street Global Advisors (NYSE: STT), and technology investment firms SEQ Capital Partners and Delta Partners.
The service carries thousands of premium titles including original hit shows like Baghdad Central, Power, Outlander, and Spartacus. STARZPLAY has long term licensing partnerships with a host of leading, global studios including Disney, Warner Bros, CBS, Showtime, Sony, Universal, MGM, and Fremantle.
STARZPLAY allows subscribers to watch its full HD and 4K content via a range of 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 six million devices – also allow downloads for offline playback.