Content is moving direction as of late. Everyone is waking up that the MENA audiences have their specific tastes and requirements. Can you tell us more about that?
You’re absolutely right—there’s a clear and growing recognition across the industry that MENA audiences are distinct and incredibly dynamic. For Warner Bros. Discovery, this region is no longer viewed through a one-size-fits-all lens. The appetite here spans everything from high-end drama and comedy to documentaries and regional reality formats—and what stands out is how deeply rooted that appetite is in cultural nuance, language, and storytelling authenticity.
We’ve seen that viewers in the region respond strongly to content that reflects their lives, values, and identities, but they’re also increasingly discerning—expecting world-class production quality and storytelling that can sit comfortably alongside global titles. That’s why we’re not just looking to localize content; we’re investing in original productions that are made for the region, in the region, and by regional talent. This is a long-term commitment for us, not a trend.
The region is of course united by colloquial Arabic, even if has an uncalculated number of dialects. Is there any intention of producing Arab-language films or television?
Absolutely. As Warner Bros. Discovery, we recognize the richness and diversity of the Arabic language and its many regional dialects. We are firmly committed to producing more Arabic-language content—both films and television—that reflects this part of the world’s stories, cultures, and voices. Our recent partnerships and investments, such as Asharq Discovery and our strategic stake in OSN Streaming, are a testament to that commitment. We see tremendous potential in original Arabic-language programming and are excited to continue working with regional talent to create content that truly resonates with local audiences.
Truth be told, telling stories to the MENA region audiences all while not being from the region might be very complicated. Is there any way Warner is circumventing this?
That’s a very fair point—and one we take seriously. At Warner Bros. Discovery, we understand that authentically connecting with MENA audiences requires more than just translating content. It demands local insight, cultural nuance, and collaboration with storytellers who live and breathe the region’s realities.
That’s why our approach is rooted in partnership. We work directly with local creators, producers, and talent to ensure the stories we tell are grounded in authenticity. Whether through co-productions, talent development initiatives, or commissioning original Arabic content, our aim is not to speak to the region but with it. We see immense value in empowering local voices to shape narratives that are true to the communities they reflect.
On a more personal note, do you speak any language from the region. Is so which? If not, how do you relate to content aimed at the MENA region without speaking the language?
I don’t speak any languages from the MENA region. My remit extends across Turkey and Central Eastern Europe, so it is hard to master one single language for all the places I need to work and travel to. It makes my job harder. You miss nuance, you miss things that are obvious to people’s shared cultural and linguistic experience. It’s why I am very careful when I use English to not bring in words or phrases that people, I work with won’t understand or ‘get’, it can be alienating to do so. My trick is to surround myself with people who are from the country – it’s why I have built teams in countries in all the major places I work, be that in UAE, Turkey, Romania or Hungary for example. Secondly, it’s all about being curious and asking questions – in my experience while there are of course very specific cultural elements to every place in the world, there are also more things that unite and are familiar, especially when it comes to storytelling – the human condition is the human condition!
