One week after its premiere, new OSN+ insights reveal the platform’s strongest streaming performance reflects a broader shift towards event viewing, franchise loyalty and how audiences across MENA engage with entertainment worth watching.
Dubai, UAE, 29 June 2026: One week after the Season 3 premiere of House of the Dragon, newly analysed OSN+ viewing data reveals fresh insight into how audiences across MENA are engaging with entertainment worth watching. The findings reveal how major franchise releases are driving audience engagement before, during and after launch, while contributing to one of the platform’s strongest periods of streaming activity.
Within the first 24 hours of launch, the premiere recorded a 31% increase in viewership, compared with the same day in the previous week, making it the most watched single day on OSN+ to date. Compared with Episode 1 of Season 2, the Season 3 premiere attracted 18% more viewers and delivered the highest number of new users on OSN+ in 2026. By the end of its first day, 42% of all active OSN+ subscribers tuned in to Episode 1, demonstrating the immediate appeal of franchise entertainment.
The momentum began well before premiere day, as viewership of House of the Dragon Seasons 1 and 2 increased by 167% during the 2 weeks leading up to the premiere of Season 3, as audiences revisited earlier episodes before the new season arrived, highlighting how major franchises increasingly drive engagement well before a new season even premieres.
That momentum continued despite strong competition for viewers. The premiere coincided with Egypt’s FIFA World Cup match against New Zealand, one of the region’s biggest live sporting events, further demonstrating the strength of premium franchise entertainment during highly competitive viewing windows.
Teresa Rio, VP Marketing, OSN+ and Anghami said, “The biggest streaming moments no longer begin when the first episode drops. They begin weeks earlier, as audiences revisit previous seasons, reconnect with the characters they love and become part of the conversation long before premiere day.
What we’re seeing across OSN+ is that strong global franchises are creating a different kind of audience behaviour. They’re no longer simply programmes people watch; they’re worlds people return to. House of the Dragon is a powerful example of that, and we’ve seen similar patterns across other premium franchises on the platform. Understanding those behaviours helps us make better decisions for our audiences, our partners, and ultimately how we continue bringing the entertainment worth watching to people across MENA.”
One week after launch, House of the Dragon has shown that the region’s biggest streaming successes are no longer defined by premiere night alone, but by the anticipation they create beforehand and the sustained engagement they generate long afterwards.
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About OSN+
OSN+ is the region’s leading premium streaming service, featuring an impressive line-up of exclusive global and local curated content. Led by its long-term partnerships with major studios including HBO, NBC Universal, Endeavor Content, MGM, and Sony, OSN+ delivers the latest content concurrently with the US, including critically acclaimed series and movies as well as world-class Arabic content and OSN+ Originals. With exclusive rights to first-run Max Originals and Warner Bros. Pictures feature films, OSN+ is the premier destination for Warner Bros. Discovery content. As the exclusive home of HBO across the MENA region, OSN+ provides unparalleled access to the studio’s globally acclaimed series and specials.
Following its merger with Anghami in April 2024, the Arab world’s leading music streaming service, the platform offers an enhanced streaming experience that includes 18,000 hours of premium video content and over 100 million songs and podcasts, providing customers with a comprehensive and unique entertainment ecosystem.
OSN+ can be accessed through all your favourite devices, including major TV platforms, iOS, Android devices, and the web.
Find out more and stream now at www.osnplus.com.
About OSN
OSN Group is the leading premium entertainment provider servicing 22 countries across the MENA region. The Group delivers a world-class ecosystem of content through its key divisions: OSN+, OSNtv, and Anghami, alongside dedicated B2B offerings in every market. As the exclusive home for HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery content in the region, OSN Group is known for broadcasting the latest global hits—including Western, Arabic, and Turkish content—concurrently with the US.
The Group’s mission is driven by three key pillars: a customer-first approach, unrivalled exclusive content, and unbeatable value. By combining global studio partnerships with original local productions and the region’s leading music streaming service, OSN Group provides an integrated digital entertainment experience across the Middle East and North Africa.
For further information, please contact:
Umar Gulamnabi – Associate, Integrated Media, Current Global
osncg@currentglobal.com
+971 56 827 1966
