Al Sharqiya taps Brightcove and Accedo for Iraqi SVOD launch

This launch signals a maturation of the Iraqi digital market, shifting from free, often unauthorized streams toward legitimate subscription models. By localizing content through Al Sharqiya’s library while aggregating regional powerhouses like OSN+, 1001 is positioning itself as a sovereign entry point for global and regional platforms in a high-growth territory. The move reflects a broader MENA trend toward hyper-localization to capture tech-savvy, young demographics. Watch for 1001's conversion rate from its existing 2M+ AVOD user base to paid tiers as a proxy for Iraqi digital payment adoption.

The transition of 1001 to a hybrid SVOD/AVOD model occurs as Iraq’s digital infrastructure experiences rapid acceleration. According to the Ministry of Communications, internet penetration reached 82.9% by the end of 2024, a significant leap from roughly 44% in 2019. Recent reporting from Capacity Media in September 2025 indicates the Iraqi telecoms market is now valued at approximately $2.5 billion, with mobile penetration exceeding 100%. This infrastructure surge provides the necessary backbone for high-bandwidth video consumption in a country where 60% of the population is under the age of 25.

To drive adoption, 1001 has secured major sports and telecommunications deals beyond its standard content library. In May 2026, 1001 announced strategic 'hard bundle' partnerships with Iraq’s leading mobile operators, Asiacell and Zain Iraq. Per Iraq Business News, these agreements provide subscribers on specific data plans with complimentary access to 1001's ‘FADSHI’ and ‘KULAHA’ packages. These tiers include exclusive co-exclusive rights to Spanish LaLiga matches, alongside content from TOD, Paramount+, and Starzplay Sports, effectively using telco billing to bypass traditional payment hurdles.

Regionally, the MENA streaming market is projected to surpass $1.5 billion by late 2025, according to data from Omdia. While regional leaders like Shahid and Netflix maintain the largest market shares, Omdia notes a structural shift toward aggregation and simple bundling to combat churn and increase average revenue per user (ARPU). Analysts from 3Vision suggested in March 2026 that SVOD subscriptions in the region are on track to reach 50 million by 2030, covering half of all TV households. Platforms like 1001 that combine global content with deep local IP are increasingly viewed as the primary gatekeepers for this audience.