Business Today Egypt | October – November 2023, Special Edition

Streaming
With the increasing availability of high-speed
internet and the growing popularity of smartphones,
Egyptians have embraced the convenience
and accessibility offered by digital streaming
services. According to a report by the Ministry
of Communications, the total number of internet
users in Egypt reached about 85.8 million in May,
and almost 94% of the Egyptian population owns
a smartphone.
According to a 2023 Statista survey, 93% of
Egyptian respondents identified digital video content
as the most used media service, both in terms
of downloading and streaming.
To fully leverage the potential of the digital
streaming platform industry, it is essential for Egypt
to invest in digital infrastructure, promote digital
literacy, and create a favorable regulatory environment
that encourages growth and innovation.
“The promotion of digital platforms in Egypt
is influenced by several key factors such as the
rapid expansion of internet accessibility and the
widespread adoption of smartphones. With a
larger portion of the population connected online,
digital platforms have gained a broader user
base, making their services more accessible to
the public. The on-demand content and crossdevice
compatibility have resonated with users
seeking flexibility and control over their content
consumption,” a WATCH IT representative tells
Business Today.
The Digital Transformation of Entertainment
WATCH IT is an Egyptian digital streaming
entertainment service founded in 2019 to give its
subscribers access to Arabic TV shows, movies and
programs “with a wide-selection of genres and
languages in a library that is home to the biggest
selection of Arabic content in the world,” according
to their website.
In a panel session titled “The Entertainment Industry,
Creativity, and Culture in a Pandemic Era”
held at the World Youth Forum (WYF), Chairperson
and Managing Director of WATCH IT Nashwa
Gad explained the factors that contributed to
the promotion of digital platforms, including the
many young people who resorted to digital platforms
after the closure of cinemas and theaters
during the pandemic.
“These platforms have become the new theaters
for young people, provided new opportunities for
creators and producers, and have even become a
new source of economic income for countries,”
Gad added.
“It is a dream for any actor to work in a WATCH
IT production and it is very fortunate for all rising
actors that WATCH IT supports and constantly
looks for young and rising talent to give them the
space to shine,” says up-and-coming actor Ahmed
Fadell.
WATCH IT customizes its productions and offerings
to the Egyptian audience’s tastes and preferences.
The platform prioritizes local content
and capitalizes on Egyptians’ content consumption
during peak seasons such as the holy month
of Ramadan.
WATCH IT has also invested in producing original
content, which not only allowed it to draw different
segments of audience, but to also nurture
local talent and provide a platform for creative
expression, as Gad stated during the WYF panel
discussion.
According to Gad, “WATCH IT has been a cata-
42 November 2023 www.businesstodayegypt.com