3 weeks ago

OSN: Exploring the Dynamics of Content Acquisition ft. Rolla Karam

Content Acquisition, OSN, Rolla Karam, MENA, Content buying, pitching projects, pitching tv series

In this episode of Leaderspeak, Atul Phadnis sits down with Rolla Karam, Senior Vice President of Content Acquisition at OSN. They discuss OSN’s expansion into Arabic originals, including the Oscar-shortened film All That’s Left of You and upcoming scripted series. Karam also shares insights on their WBD partnership and major HBO titles like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

We try to focus on content from the US and the UK… our audience here [is] more attuned to the American and British accent.

Podcast Chapters

Time	Chapter
01:44	OSN Company History & Market Coverage
02:55	OSN Product Lines: TV vs. OSN+
06:55	Content Portfolio & Major Studio Partnerships
13:12	AI in Language Services & Subtitling
14:17	OSN Originals & WBD Collaboration
24:44	The Ramadan Programming Shift
31:41	Micro-Dramas & Vertical Video Trends
42:54	Evolution of Licensing: Moving Away from Output Deals

Key Takeaways:

Arabic Originals Pivot: OSN is shifting focus to local Arabic scripted series for 2026–2027 to deepen regional audience affinity.
Agile Dealmaking: The era of long-term output deals is over; OSN now prioritizes flexible, short-term (two-year) or title-by-title negotiations.
Anti-Piracy Speed: Premium content like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is released “same minute” as the US to neutralize piracy.
AI for Efficiency: 2026 is the year of “efficiency,” with OSN testing AI tools to streamline subtitling and dubbing workflows.
IP Ownership: Beyond aggregation, OSN is co-financing and owning IP, highlighted by the Oscar-shortlisted original All That’s Left of You.

Our immediate focus for ’26 and ’27 is content that is Arabic [that] resonates in the region… it has to be Arabic local to local.

Sound Bites:

On Exclusivity: “Exclusivity for us is key… Else, it defeats the purpose for any subscriber to come and pay”.
On Market Roles: “Egyptian content… is the Hollywood of the Middle East, let’s put it this way”.
On Strategy: “I no longer do output deals or long, long output deals… the industry is evolving”.
On Identity: “We’re from the region for the region. We speak the language, we know the culture”.
On Future Goals: “Our immediate focus for ’26 and ’27 is content that is Arabic [that] resonates in the region”.

Key Policies Currently Driving OSN's Business Model

“From the Region, For the Region” Policy: OSN prioritizes content that resonates with local culture and language, focusing on Egyptian, Khaliji, and Pan-Arab productions to serve its core audience across 23 countries.
Pivot from Long-Term Output Deals: OSN has moved away from legacy five-year output deals in favor of shorter, two-year agreements or title-by-title negotiations to maintain flexibility in an evolving market.
“Local-to-Global” Original Strategy: For 2026 and 2027, the priority is producing Arabic scripted series that resonate locally first, with the long-term goal of eventually taking those regional IPs to the global stage.
Exclusivity Mandate: OSN maintains a strict policy of acquiring exclusive rights for both Western and Arabic content to ensure the platform remains a destination worth a paid subscription.

Why Partner With OSN?

Massive MENA Footprint: Access 23 countries through a single partnership, anchored by local hubs in Dubai, Riyadh, and Cairo.
Proven Premium Custodianship: Join a trusted home for world-class IP like HBO and WBD, backed by a track record of handling high-value global brands.
Anti-Piracy Dominance: Benefit from a “same minute” release policy that protects your content’s value by launching it simultaneously with the US.
Hybrid Growth Ecosystem: Leverage a unique mix of linear TV and a leading streaming app (OSN+) that reaches millions of engaged subscribers.
Original IP Ambition: Collaborate on “local-to-global” projects like the Oscar-shortlisted All That’s Left of You to own the next generation of Arabic storytelling.

OSN: The Home of Premium Stories & Arabic Originals

OSN is the leading premium entertainment network serving the Middle East and North Africa across 23 countries. As the exclusive home for HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery , we deliver the “Best from the West” with same-minute global premieres. Beyond Hollywood, we are the region’s powerhouse for Arabic Originals, Turkish dramas, and local scripted series, offering a world-class viewing experience through OSN TV and the OSN+ streaming app.