South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM has struck a long-term partnership with MBC Group to launch a TVing-branded hub on the Middle Eastern broadcaster’s streaming service Shahid, extending its push to reach more international audiences with its globally bankable Korean content.
Announced Tuesday at MIPCOM in Cannes, the agreement expands the companies’ existing content-supply relationship across streaming and linear television. The dedicated hub will feature a curated selection of programming from CJ ENM, its streaming platform TVing and other Korean production studios.
The companies said more than 13 new titles are scheduled for release during 2026, alongside more than 20 titles from CJ ENM’s library, with the selection growing over the course of the partnership. The lineup includes recently premiered romantic comedy My Bias, My Boss, as well as The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, Filing for Love, The Judge Returns and Our Universe.
All new titles covered by the agreement will be available on Shahid simultaneously with their Korean releases, allowing audiences across the Middle East and North Africa to follow the shows as they debut at home. Arabic dubbing and subtitles will be offered for selected programming.
The deal also includes a linear television component, with CJ ENM titles set to air on MBC4 under a time-limited exclusive window. Broadcast schedules will be announced later.
The announcement did not disclose financial terms, the precise duration of the agreement or a launch date for the TVing hub.
“Expanding our collaboration this year to launch a dedicated TVing-branded space, following our content supply agreement last year, is a meaningful achievement that once again underscores the competitiveness and growth potential of Korean content in the Middle East,” said Sebastian Kim, CJ ENM’s vp and head of its content distribution business unit. “Through the dedicated TVing brand hub on MBC Shahid, we are making it easier and more convenient for viewers across the Middle East to access and enjoy premium K-content.”
The agreement continues CJ’s effort to expand TVing’s international reach through established streaming partners. A TVing collection launched on Disney+ in Japan last November, followed in January by a branded hub on HBO Max in 17 Asia-Pacific markets, including territories across Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. CJ ENM also expanded its partnership with Amazon’s Prime Video in July, signing a deal to bring more than 100 Korean titles to the service in India over two years. Many in the Asian industry are speculating that TVing may eventually attempt to launch the K-drama service as a standalone offering in key markets across the globe.
For MBC, the expanded Korean offering adds to its strategy of bringing more international programming to Arab audiences across its streaming and broadcast businesses.
“This partnership brings together two companies with a shared ambition: to take great local storytelling to audiences far beyond its home market,” said Tareq Alibrahim, director of MBC1, MBC Drama and MBC Shahid content. “CJ ENM has played a defining role in taking Korean entertainment global, while MBC Group has built an unparalleled connection with audiences across MENA. Together, we see significant long-term opportunities across content, streaming and entertainment.”
Alibrahim added: “The launch of a dedicated TVing space on MBC SHAHID, together with Korean content across our television channels, strengthens the breadth and quality of entertainment we can offer Arab audiences. It also reflects our broader strategy of building partnerships with leading international media companies and strengthening MBC Group’s position as a gateway between global content and audiences across the region.”