Case Study: Middle East Broadcasting Center Group (MBC Group) achieves faster, secure viewer experiences with Microsoft Corporation Azure and Azure Media Services

Arab platform SHAHID creates phenomenal viewer experiences on robust cloud infrastructure

Middle East Broadcasting Center Group’s SHAHID, the first advertising-supported and subscription VOD service in the MENA region, needed a reliable, cost-effective way to deliver video across many evolving devices while handling heavy peak demand and protecting content from piracy. The challenge was to improve viewer experience, automate publishing, and maintain security using Microsoft Corporation’s cloud-based media capabilities.

Microsoft Corporation implemented Microsoft Azure and Azure Media Services to power SHAHID’s platform. The result was faster click-to-play times of about 2 seconds, support for traffic spikes more than 10x normal during Ramadan, and rapid migration of 79,000 assets in under 10 days. Microsoft Corporation also helped automate media workflows, strengthen DRM-based security, and reduce costs in delivery, storage, and operations.

Middle East Broadcasting Center Group

Adriaan Bloem

Senior Manager Online platforms