SRMG acquires 51% stake in podcast platform Thmanyah as part of new digital-first growth strategy

• Thmanyah’s popular podcasts and documentaries will further enhance SRMG’s rapidly growing content creation and distribution capabilities
• Thmanyah’s highly rated podcasts, including “Fnjan”, “Swalif Business”, “Socrates” and “Things That Changed Us”, have a monthly following of over 2.2 million people
• SRMG’s global reach across seven languages and four continents will help Thmanyah scale and access new audiences

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Riyadh, 14 July 2021 – Saudi Research & Media Group “SRMG" today announced the acquisition of a 51% controlling stake in Arabic podcast platform Thmanyah, one of the leading podcast platforms and documentary producers in the Middle East and North Africa region.

SRMG’s acquisition of Thmanyah is part of the Group’s new digital-first, multi-platform approach and commitment to delivering original, unique and exclusive content to consumers through new digital and social platforms. SRMG will leverage its global network and reach to support Thmanyah’s growth ambitions into new genres and geographies, while benefiting from Thmanyah’s creative and production capabilities to enhance brand equity across its titles.

Founded in Saudi Arabia in 2016, Thmanyah is a leading producer of Arabic podcasts and documentaries. Its many highly rated podcasts include “Fnjan”, an Arabic talk show with more than 1.6 million average monthly listeners, as well as “Swalif Business”, “Socrates”, and “Things That Changed Us”. Its podcasts and documentaries have been recognized with seven awards across the MENA region, including two consecutive awards from the Saudi Ministry of Media. On “Socrates,” Thmanyah has documented three years of progress on Vision 2030 objectives, featuring more than 50 leaders from the Saudi public sphere.

Thmanyah is also a leading documentary producer in Saudi Arabia, with more than 90 documentaries and short films with more than 15 million viewers. The documentaries cover a broad range of topics including popular videos on Malcolm X, Edward Said, and the kidnapping of a Saudi Counsel in Iran.

Jomana Al-Rashid, CEO of SRMG, said: “By acquiring one of the leading Arabic podcast platforms and documentary producers, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing our audiences with original, exclusive and premium content through new digital platforms. The global podcast market is expected to grow in value to around $3.9 billion in the next two years, enabling forward-thinking and creative platforms to capture new audiences and capitalize on monetization opportunities, such as advertising revenues. With its award-winning podcasts and documentaries, Thmanyah presents an exciting opportunity for us to explore new ideas and openings in this space. We look forward to welcoming the Thmanyah team on board and working with them to help grow the business into new genres and geographies.”

Abdulrahman Abumalih, CEO of Thmanyah, said: “We are delighted to be joining SRMG, a leading source of news, information and lifestyle content for people in the MENA region and around the world. In the five years since Thmanyah was founded, we have grown steadily with a clear focus on delivering quality content to the region’s expanding digital audiences through our podcasts and documentaries. We will continue growing and will use this investment to create more content and tap into new audiences. I look forward to working with SRMG to produce an even stronger platform that combines our strengths and SRMG’s wide reach to benefit our listeners, viewers and advertisers.”

SRMG’s new strategy focuses on expanding its current portfolio, digital offerings and global reach, unlocking international commercial opportunities in fast-growing regional markets and worldwide. It is worth noting that SRMG owns more than 30 major media outlets including Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News, and Asharq Business with Bloomberg, and has a combined monthly reach of 165 million.

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About SRMG
Operating since 1972, Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) is a global media house from the Middle East and North Africa with a portfolio of more than 30 major media outlets – including Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News and Arab News – delivering information, news and lifestyle content to a monthly audience of more than 165 million. 

Listed on the Tadawul stock exchange in Riyadh, SRMG is focused on delivering original, exclusive and premium content in multiple languages to empower consumers with news and information through digital and social platforms, in addition to its leading cable and satellite reach.

Through its many platforms, content and voices, SRMG is uniquely positioned to capitalize on fast-growing opportunities for digital content distribution, online advertising and commercial partnerships in the media and entertainment market worldwide.

Headquartered in Riyadh, KSA, SRMG has offices in 18 locations around the world, including London and Dubai. 

Find out more about SRMG here: www.srmg.com

About Thmanyah

Founded in Saudi Arabia in 2016, Thmanyah is one of the leading podcast platforms and documentary producers in the Middle East and North Africa region. Thmanyah’s highly rated podcasts, including “Fnjan”, “Swalif Business”, “Socrates” and “Things That Changed Us”, have a monthly following of over 2.2 million people, and have registered double digit growth annually. Thmanyah has also produced more than 90 documentaries and short films, with more than 15 million viewers. The company, which has been profitable since its first year, also maintains a prominent website focused on long-form journalism. Across all its verticals, Thmanyah publishes on a wide range of platforms including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and its own website.

Find out more about Thmanyah here: https://www.thmanyah.com/