Publication: June 2025
Report Type: Tracker
Report Format: PDF DataSheet
Report ID: ENT5226 
  Pages: 110+
 

Oman Entertainment Market Size and Forecast by Content Type, Delivery Platform, Revenue Model, and End User: 2019-2033

Report Format: PDF DataSheet |   Pages: 110+  

 June 2025  | 

Oman Entertainment Market Outlook

The Oman entertainment market is entering a phase of measured yet strategic expansion, driven by government-backed investments, shifting consumer habits, and emerging creative ventures. According to DataCube Research, the market stood at US$XXX million in 2024 and is expected to surpass US$6650 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.45% during the 2025–2033 period. This growth is unfolding across a diverse portfolio of segments including film and television production, music and audio platforms, eSports and gaming, interactive entertainment, live performances, IP licensing, and talent management.

 

Historically reliant on international content imports, Oman is now positioning itself as a regional content producer. The recently announced ‘Film City’ in Khazaen, Barka, backed by a US$31.2 million investment, is a pivotal step toward this shift. Designed to serve all stages of production—from script development to post-production—the facility is set to generate over 100 direct jobs in its inaugural year, fostering local talent and stimulating auxiliary sectors such as tourism and retail.

Regulatory Backing and Infrastructure Development Driving Sectoral Growth

The Oman entertainment sector is gaining traction through strong policy frameworks, creative infrastructure, and the growing penetration of streaming technologies. The Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Youth, under Oman Vision 2040, has accelerated the approval of cultural development projects, including eight new initiatives worth over US$49 million aimed at nurturing creative expression and commercial viability.

 

From a technology adoption perspective, Oman’s growing fiber-optic network and 5G rollouts are improving content accessibility and user experience. Streaming platforms are leveraging edge computing and CDNs (Content Delivery Networks) to enhance content delivery speed and reduce latency. In 2024, Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) collaborated with regional content platforms to co-host live streaming events, optimizing bandwidth for large-scale digital concerts and virtual gaming tournaments.

 

Despite these strides, barriers such as limited local production capacity and relatively low investor risk appetite continue to restrain broader industry acceleration. However, regulatory interventions—such as tax incentives for local productions and import duty exemptions for filming equipment—are gradually countering these constraints.

Economic Indicators and Infrastructure Shaping Content Strategy

A favorable disposable income environment, with household averages exceeding US$28,000 per year, is expanding consumer engagement across entertainment formats. As per recent government data, Omani households allocate around 3.5% of annual expenditure on entertainment and media services, an upward trend from pre-pandemic levels.

 

Oman remains a net importer of entertainment content, primarily from the Gulf, South Asia, and the West. However, the establishment of Film City and increased investment in production budgets—ranging from US$250,000 for short films to over US$2 million for feature-length projects— signal a move toward becoming an exporter of culturally nuanced, Arabic-language content.

 

In parallel, improvements in streaming infrastructure are laying the groundwork for localized OTT platforms to scale operations. For instance, Istikana and Wavo, though regional, have begun curating Oman-specific content portfolios, marking a shift from generic to tailored offerings.

Youth-Led Digital Adoption Accelerating Market Evolution

The shift towards digital consumption is largely youth-driven, as over 60% of Oman’s population is under the age of 35. These users are tech-savvy, mobile-first, and lean toward on-demand platforms. According to DataCube Research, the average Omani user spends 3.9 hours daily engaging with entertainment content online, spanning music streaming, video-on-demand, eSports viewership, and social platforms.

 

In terms of subscriptions, premium services are witnessing steady growth. Netflix, Shahid, and StarzPlay collectively host over 750,000 users in Oman, with Shahid recording a 28% YoY growth in paid subscribers in 2024 alone. This trend reflects a preference for high-quality, ad-free viewing among urban, bilingual consumers. Platforms like Anghami are also gaining ground among Arabic music listeners, particularly with the integration of AI-curated playlists and live concert streaming.

 

These insights indicate a maturing market with increasing appetite for both regional and global digital experiences.

Competitive Landscape: Emerging Collaborations and Localization Strategies

The Oman entertainment ecosystem is witnessing an influx of domestic and international players capitalizing on the country’s transformation agenda. Key Omani companies like Oman Film Society, Al Fann Network, and Majan Productions are entering into strategic partnerships with global studios to co-develop films and host workshops for scriptwriting and cinematography.

 

In 2024, Majan Productions signed a content distribution deal with Al Jazeera Documentary to broadcast Oman-based cultural documentaries across MENA. This move not only enhances visibility for local content but also establishes Oman as a soft-power influencer in the region.

 

On the global front, platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have begun scouting Omani locations and talent for exclusive Arabic content. This includes the recent docuseries on Omani folklore currently in pre-production with a multinational creative team.

 

To ensure global scalability, players are leveraging satellite channels, OTT aggregators, and social video platforms like YouTube and TikTok, which collectively reach over 2 million monthly users in Oman. These platforms offer dual-language content, audience segmentation, and monetization tools that align well with the country's expanding digital reach.

 

Author: Joseph Gomes (Head – Media and Entertainment)


 

*Research Methodology: This report is based on DataCube’s proprietary 3-stage forecasting model, combining primary research, secondary data triangulation, and expert validation. [Learn more]

 

Oman Entertainment Market Segmentation

 



*Research Methodology: This report is based on DataCube’s proprietary 3-stage forecasting model, combining primary research, secondary data triangulation, and expert validation. [Learn more]