DUBAI – MBC GROUP has partnered with Spotify to provide Shahid VIP subscribers with six months of Spotify Premium for free (subject to Spotify’s eligibility criteria), Following the successful launch of the all-new Shahid this January. Since launch earlier this year, MBC GROUP’s revamped video on demand (VOD) service Shahid has provided a host of new features and offerings, including binge-worthy exclusive Shahid Originals; Premieres; Arabic movies fresh off the box-office; live TV channels in true HD quality; as well as international offerings courtesy of Disney, Marvel, FOX, ABC Studios and more. The addition of Spotify, the world’s most popular global audio streaming subscription service, will unlock access to millions of hours of audio to entertainment fans. With Spotify Premium, Shahid VIP subscribers will get the best Spotify has to offer, with an ad-free music listening experience that allows users to play any song or playlist; enjoy unlimited skips; and download music to listen to offline, just as Shahid VIP offers with video. Shahid continues to witness a surge in popularity, with weekly active users now more than doubled compared to the same period last year. Johannes Larcher, Managing Director, Digital & VOD at MBC Group, commented: “Having the MENA region’s biggest VOD streaming platform team up with one of the world’s best music streaming services has produced the most diverse on-demand offering in the Arab world. “We are so excited to be partnering with Spotify, which offers an amazing product, and is one of the fastest growing music streaming offerings in the MENA market that appeals to the same audience and userbase as Shahid. We are looking forward to what this fantastic partnership brings.” Meanwhile, Claudius Boller, Spotify’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, added: “By joining forces with Shahid, Spotify and Shahid are now able to give entertainment fans in MENA the ultimate music and video experience. We’re excited to be a part of this offer from Shahid, giving users in the region this level of streaming entertainment option, at this extraordinary value, all in one package.”