What thmanyah does

Thmanyah (ثمانية) is a Riyadh-headquartered Arabic-language media company founded in September 2016 by Abdulrahman Abumalih, producing podcasts, documentary films, and email newsletters as the largest Saudi documentary producer and one of the leading Arabic podcast networks. The company operates a multi-format content platform distributed through its website (thmanyah.com), the Radio Thmanyah mobile application with personalized recommendations, satellite TV channels on Arabsat and Nilesat, and a sports broadcasting app available across iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung, and LG smart TVs. Its proprietary library spans 180+ documentary films, 18+ radio programs (including the flagship 'Fnjan' podcast with 12M+ listens), and 30+ new episodes released monthly, reaching 2.8M+ followers, 126M+ lifetime podcast listens, and 56M+ film views, with 1M+ weekly downloads.

The business model combines four revenue streams: (1) subscription revenue from a premium tier priced at 58 SAR/month offering 50fps streaming, analytical studio access, exclusive content libraries, and match statistics; (2) advertising and sponsorship across podcasts, video content, and newsletters with sponsorship tiers starting at SAR 100,000; (3) broadcast rights revenue from a six-year SAR 2.32 billion exclusive MENA contract for Saudi Pro League tournaments (Super Cup, Roshn League, King's Cup, Yallo League) running through 2031; and (4) professional creative production services through the 'Thmanyah Creative' (ثمانية الخلاقة) agency arm, producing branded documentaries, podcasts, and content for enterprise and government clients including Aramco, STC, Saudi Ministry of Health, Saudi Customs, Misk Foundation, Ithra, Al Arabiya, the United Nations, and Harvard University.

Thmanyah became a majority-owned subsidiary of SRMG (Saudi Research and Media Group) in July 2021, when SRMG acquired a 51% controlling stake through a subsidiary acquisition. The company holds B Corporation / 'License B' certification (second in Saudi Arabia), operates under Saudi Personal Data Protection Law, and has scaled to 260+ employees producing content across consumer and enterprise segments.

Name

thmanyah

Legal name

Thmanyah Publishing and Distribution Co.

Website

https://company.thmanyah.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Thmanyah is a Riyadh-based Arabic media company producing podcasts, documentaries, newsletters, and live Saudi football broadcasts, with 260+ employees and exclusive MENA broadcast rights under a SAR 2.32 billion contract.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arabic Digital Media and Content Streaming

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Sound Recording Industries (5122)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Podcast Networks & Studio Platforms (MPAIADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ), Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE), Audiobook & Spoken-Word Streaming Platforms (MPAIADAE)

Keywords

• Arabic podcast production
• Documentary filmmaking
• Sports broadcast rights
• Digital content streaming
• Creative content services

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Subscription Services: Monthly subscription packages starting at 58 SAR providing enhanced viewing experience including higher frame rate quality (50fps), analytical studio access, exclusive content library, and match statistics.
2. Advertising and Sponsorship: Advertising opportunities across podcast programs, streaming content, and newsletter publications. Sponsorship tiers available starting from 100,000 SAR for advertising/partnership requests.
3. Creative Production Services: Professional content creation services for corporate clients including documentary films, podcast programs, branded content, and radio programs under 'ثمانية الخلاقة' creative arm.
4. Broadcast Rights: Revenue from exclusive broadcast rights of Saudi football tournaments in the MENA region under a six-year agreement valued at SAR 2.32 billion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Thmanyah produces and distributes Arabic multimedia content including podcast programs, documentary films, and email newsletters via its proprietary mobile applications, satellite TV channels, and website. The company is the largest Saudi documentary producer and runs one of the largest Arabic podcast networks, while also operating as the exclusive broadcaster of Saudi football tournaments across the MENA region. Through its Thmanyah Creative (ثمانية الخلاقة) arm, it provides documentary, podcast, and branded content production services to corporate and government clients.

Product overview

Thmanyah is a comprehensive Arabic media platform offering podcast programs, documentary films, email newsletters, and sports broadcasting. The platform operates through its main website (thmanyah.com), Radio Thmanyah mobile app, and satellite TV channels (ArabSat and Nilesat). Key products include flagship podcasts like Fnjan (فنجان) and Socrates (سقراط), documentary series such as Jawab (جواب) and Genome (جينوم), newsletters, and the newly launched sports channels broadcasting Saudi football. The company offers a subscription service (starting at 58 SAR/month) for premium features alongside free content, and provides creative production services through its Thmanyah Creative division for branded content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• راديو ثمانية (Radio Thmanyah): The company's podcast platform and mobile radio application featuring multiple podcast programs.
• ثمانية الخلاقة
• فنجان (Fnjan)
• سياق (Siyaq)
• جواب (Jawab)
• سؤال (Su'al)
• ثمانية أسئلة (8 Questions)
• جميعها (Jam'iyyaha)
• النشرة السرية
• رياضة ثمانية

Products and services

• Podcast Programs (برامج البودكاست) Arabic podcast programs covering diverse topics including culture, history, science, society, and current affairs. Thmanyah produces its own podcasts and produces podcasts for clients, with flagship shows such as Fnjan (12+ million listeners) and Socrates documenting Saudi transformation.
• Documentary Films (وثائقيات) Arabic documentary film series produced by Thmanyah, making it the largest Saudi documentary producer and one of the most prominent in the Arab world. Series include Siyaq, Jawab, Genome, 8 Questions, and others covering Saudi transformation and other topics.
• Email Newsletters (نشرات بريدية) Email newsletter publications (including the Secret newsletter النشرة السرية) covering various topics in concise formats for subscribers.
• Radio Thmanyah Mobile Application (راديو ثمانية) Mobile application for listening to Thmanyah's podcast programs and radio content with personalized recommendations, episode tracking, and user interaction features including comments on episodes. Available on iOS and Android (Google Play store: com.thmanyahapp).
• Thmanyah Creative (ثمانية الخلاقة) Creative services division (B2B) offering branded content production for organizations, including documentary films, podcasts, radio programs, and creative storytelling for advertising and marketing purposes. Clients include Aramco, STC, Saudi Ministry of Health, Saudi Customs, Misk Foundation, Ithra, Al Arabiya, United Nations, and Harvard University.
• Sports Thmanyah Channels (ثمانية الرياضة) Satellite TV and mobile streaming channels broadcasting Saudi football tournaments including the Saudi Super Cup, Roshn Saudi League, King's Cup, and League 2, plus sports documentaries and programs, under exclusive six-year MENA broadcast rights valued at SAR 2.32 billion.
• Thmanyah Premium Subscription (اشتراك ثمانية) Paid subscription service starting from 58 SAR per month, offering an enhanced viewing experience with higher quality (50fps) streaming, analytical studio access, exclusive content library, match statistics, and other premium features for the Thmanyah sports streaming service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 126+ million total podcast listens
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Saudi Pro LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Six-year exclusive broadcast rights agreement for Saudi football tournaments in MENA region, valued at SAR 2.32 billion. Includes rights for multiple leagues and tournaments starting from the 2025/2026 season until 2031.
• JakomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 August 2025Partnership with Jako application platform for distribution of Saudi football tournament broadcasts in Saudi Arabia, expanding reach to domestic audience alongside Thmanyah's proprietary app and satellite channels.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MBC Group (Shahid): MBC Group is the largest MENA broadcaster and operates Shahid, the region's leading Arabic streaming platform. It competes directly with Thmanyah for streaming audiences, sports rights, and premium subscription ARPU, and is the most natural alternative buyer if Saudi Pro League rights are rebid.
• beIN Media Group: beIN is the pre-eminent Pan-Arab sports broadcaster and previously held MENA rights to top football leagues. It competes head-to-head with Thmanyah for premium sports rights and shares the Arabic content distribution play across MENA.
• Anghami: Anghami is the leading Arabic audio streaming platform with tens of millions of users. It directly overlaps with Thmanyah's Radio Thmanyah podcast app in the Arabic podcast and spoken-word audio market and competes for listener attention and advertising spend.

Others

• SRMG (Saudi Research and Marketing Group): SRMG is Thmanyah's 51% parent and one of the largest media groups in the Arab world (Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News, Al Eqtisadiah). Relevant as both strategic owner and ecosystem partner for content syndication, advertising sales, and corporate services.

Regional players

• Rotana (Al Rotana): Rotana is a leading Arab entertainment conglomerate with extensive music, film, and broadcast assets. It is comparable as a vertically integrated Arabic content producer and distributor serving the same MENA audience as Thmanyah.
• Abu Dhabi Media (ADTV): Abu Dhabi Media operates leading UAE-based Arabic TV, radio, and digital channels. It is comparable as a Gulf-state-backed broadcaster producing Arabic-language content for regional audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Al Jazeera Network: Al Jazeera operates Arabic-language news, documentary, and digital channels across MENA and globally. It overlaps with Thmanyah in Arabic documentary production and digital news/content distribution to Arab audiences.
• Spotify (MENA): Spotify is the global leader in audio streaming and has been actively expanding Arabic podcast and music content. It is comparable as a podcast/audio streaming platform competing for the same listener base and advertising dollars in MENA.
• iHeartMedia: iHeartMedia operates one of the largest podcast networks globally and a multi-platform audio distribution business. It is comparable as a podcast-network-plus-broadcast incumbent, useful as a strategic benchmark for Thmanyah's podcast monetization model.

Emerging players

• Sowt Podcasts: Sowt is one of the leading independent Arabic podcast networks, producing narrative and journalistic podcasts. It competes with Thmanyah in the Arabic podcast production and network space, though at a smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/thmanyah
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thmanyah
• Instagraminstagram.com/thmanyah
• Xx.com/thmanyahcompany
• Facebookfacebook.com/Thmanyah

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about thmanyah