STARZPLAY CEO Maaz Sheikh: "We Do Local Content Better Than Netflix"

In this episode of Money Moves, Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Maaz Sheikh, CEO and Co-founder of STARZPLAY, to unpack the journey of building one of the Middle East’s leading streaming platforms. Maaz reflects on the early days of launching a bold startup in an emerging MENA market, the challenges of scaling operations, and the strategic decisions that led to STARZPLAY’s $420M acquisition.00:00 Introduction01:04 The inspiration behind STARZPLAY02:04 Maaz explains what he meant by the “right time”02:51 How did Maaz identify a gap in the market to start STARZPLAY03:53 STARZPLAY’s evolution: Original vision versus current reality05:57 The challenges & pivots in STARZPLAY’s journey08:22 How challenges & pivots impacted STARZPLAY’s numbers09:26 How did Maaz deal with questions & doubts in STARZPLAY’s first year?11:17 How do entrepreneurs balance conviction & delusion14:04 Maaz on the first fund raising experience for STARZPLAY15:35 Does fundraising get easier along the way?17:02 Maaz’s advice for young founders17:54 Maaz recalls STARZPLAY’s high & low moments20:16 Maaz on data projections & scaling STARZPLAY21:26 Maaz explains STARZPLAY’s Arabic content strategy23:22 The evolution of the Arabic content ecosystem25:19 Advantages of being a follower versus a leader26:57 How data enabled lower risks & costs for STARZPLAY27:53 The one thing STARZPLAY does better than Netflix29:08 Why did STARZPLAY decide to foray into sports?30:39 How to protect business runway & grow in scale33:43 Maaz on STARZPLAY getting acquired by e& (Etisalat)35:28 Maaz remembers how he felt when STARZPLAY was acquired36:56 Maaz reflects on his biggest regret in business38:21 Maaz lays out his personal bets for the next decade40:02 AI & its impact on content creation41:09 Insights into the future of content41:59 The competition for consumers’ attention42:52 What is next for Maaz Sheikh?44:17 Rapid fire44:56 Maaz explains why one should take risks when young45:16 Dania & Maaz discuss the influence of parents & risk appetiteHe shares how the company carved out a niche by targeting 18- to 34-year-olds underserved by traditional pay TV, offering affordable, on-demand content and exclusive Western series. This customer-first approach drove rapid subscriber growth and set STARZPLAY apart in a crowded field.The conversation also explores the realities of fundraising, the toll of leadership burnout, and how Maaz kept the team aligned through uncertainty. He emphasizes the power of strong investor partnerships, the importance of adaptability, and the role authentic relationships play in long-term success.Maaz discusses turning Starzplay into a leading platform, detailing the shift towards streaming services in the MENA region. He highlights how providing local content can challenge global giants like Netflix. He also touches upon the trend of cord cutting and its impact on traditional media.Whether you're a founder, a media exec, or just curious about the streaming wars in MENA, this episode is packed with insights on growth, resilience, and building a business that lasts.