SRMG

Name

SRMG

Legal name

المجموعة السعودية للأبحاث والإعلام (Saudi Research and Media Group)

Website

https://srmg.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media Publishing and Advertising

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Aggregator/Platform Channels & Marketplace Bundles (Channel Stores, Super-Aggregators) (MPABAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audio/Podcast/Streaming Media Buying (MPAAABAF), Trade Shows & Industry Expos (B2B) (MPAGAHAB), Creator Licensing & Rights Monetization (UGC Licensing, Music/Video Rights) (MPACAFAK)

Keywords

• Media advertising services
• News publishing brands
• Content licensing
• Media consulting services
• Audience targeting solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: SRMG generates primary revenue through advertising across its multi-platform media ecosystem, including digital, social, TV, audio, print, and out-of-home channels. SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) serves as the exclusive media sales representative for SRMG's brand portfolio, offering advertisers industry-leading advertising models, immersive storytelling, branded content, and experiential IPs.
2. Publishing and Content Licensing: SRMG generates revenue through publishing newspapers, magazines, and digital platforms across seven languages. The company also licenses content and brands, including partnerships such as Bloomberg Asharq and The Independent editions in multiple languages.
3. Experiential Events and IPs: SRMG monetizes experiential intellectual properties such as the Billboard Arabia Music Awards, Hia Hub, and other experiential activations, generating revenue from event sponsorships, branded experiences, and related advertising.
4. Government Contracts and Consulting Services: SRMG subsidiaries sign contracts to provide operational services for media platforms and media consulting services to government entities. Examples include a SAR 252 million annual contract for operational services across multiple media platforms and a SAR 204 million annual media consulting services contract.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SRMG operates as the largest integrated media group in the MENA region, owning and operating more than 30 media platforms across news (Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News, Al Majalla, Akhbaar24), business and finance (Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Al Eqtisadiah, Argaam), lifestyle (Sayidaty, Hia, Aljamila, Arrajol, Billboard Arabia, Manga Arabia), sports (Arriyadhiah, Sport 24), and podcasts (Thmanyah). The company monetizes its audience reach of 165–172 million users primarily through advertising sold via SRMG Media Solutions (SMS), supplemented by content licensing, government media consulting contracts, and experiential event monetization.

Product overview

SRMG (Saudi Research and Media Group) is a global media group from the Middle East operating as an integrated media conglomerate with a portfolio of news, business/economy, lifestyle, and sports brands across multiple languages and platforms. The company offers a comprehensive One-Stop solution from strategy, creative, production to distribution through 6 integrated companies. The product portfolio includes flagship news publications (Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News, Al Majalla), business/financial platforms (Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Al Eqtisadiah, Argaam), lifestyle brands (Hia, Sayidaty, Billboard Arabia, Manga Arabia), and the podcast platform Thmanyah. SRMG also operates SRMG Media Solutions (SMS), a next-generation data-driven advertising and media solutions company launched in April 2025, which serves as the exclusive media sales representative for SRMG's brand portfolio, leveraging AI-driven audience segmentation and first-party data to deliver personalized campaigns across digital, social, TV, audio, print, and experiential channels to over 170 million users globally. Business verticals include SRMG Media (digital platforms and podcasts), SRMG International (global investments and partnerships), SRMG Think (research and polling), SRMG X (events and conferences), SRMG Labs (innovation and incubation), SRMG Academy (training), and SRMG Ventures (venture investments).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Asharq Al-Awsat: Leading Arabic-language international newspaper
• Asharq News
• Asharq Business with Bloomberg
• Arab News
• Al Majalla
• Al Eqtisadiah
• Akhbaar24
• Argaam
• Sayidaty
• Hia
• Aljamila
• Billboard Arabia
• Manga Arabia
• Thmanyah
• Independent Arabia
• Arriyadhiah
• Sport24

Products and services

• SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) Next-generation data-driven advertising and media solutions company, launched in April 2025, that serves as the exclusive media sales representative for SRMG's brand portfolio. SMS uses proprietary first-party data, advanced AdTech, and AI-driven audience segmentation to deliver personalized, results-oriented campaigns across digital, social, TV, audio, print, and experiential channels, reaching over 170 million users worldwide. Targeted at enterprise brands and advertisers seeking multi-platform campaigns in MENA.
• Asharq Al-Awsat (with English, Turkish, and Persian editions) Flagship Arabic-language international news publication providing comprehensive coverage of regional and global affairs, with English, Turkish, and Persian editions reaching global audiences. Serves readers seeking authoritative international news in multiple languages.
• Arab News (with French, Pakistan, and Japan editions) English-language international news publication based in Saudi Arabia providing coverage of regional and global news, with international editions serving French, Pakistani, and Japanese audiences. Targets English-speaking readers seeking Middle Eastern perspective.
• Asharq Business with Bloomberg (Bloomberg Asharq) Multi-platform Arabic-language business and financial news service operated in partnership with Bloomberg, offering 24-hour television, radio, and digital content including Bloomberg Businessweek in Arabic. Serves business leaders, investors, and policymakers across the MENA region.
• Argaam Leading Arabic financial news portal providing real-time updates on financial markets, listed companies, and macroeconomics in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. Serves investors, analysts, and financial professionals.
• Thmanyah Podcast Platform Leading Arabic podcast platform and documentary producer in the MENA region. Offers a library of Arabic podcasts and documentary content distributed across multiple platforms, serving Arabic-speaking audiences.
• Billboard Arabia Arabian version of the renowned Billboard music brand, providing Arabic music charts, awards, and music industry coverage for the MENA region, including the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards and the TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50 chart.
• Al Majalla Prestigious Arabic political affairs magazine established in 1980 providing in-depth analysis and investigative journalism. Underwent a major digital transformation introducing bilingual website and interactive digital platforms.
• Independent Editions (Arabia, Turkish, Persian, Urdu) Multilingual digital news platforms in Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, and Persian, operated under a licensing partnership with The Independent UK. Each edition features dedicated editorial teams operating from major cities including New York, Istanbul, and Islamabad.
• Al Thaqafeya Channel Management Services Operational management and editorial services for the Al Thaqafeya (Culture) Channel, a government-owned cultural television channel under the Saudi Ministry of Culture. Includes editorial process development, content scope expansion, and digital presence enhancement using AI tools.
• Lifestyle Magazines (Sayidaty, Hia, Aljamila, Arrajol, Manga Arabia, Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Robb Report Arabia) Portfolio of Arabic lifestyle publications covering women's, men's, luxury, fashion, beauty, and entertainment topics, including Sayidaty, Hia, Aljamila, Arrajol, Manga Arabia, Ahlan Wa Sahlan, and Robb Report Arabia. Targets Arabic-speaking lifestyle audiences.
• Akhbaar24 Arabic-language breaking news platform providing 24-hour news coverage across multiple sectors, serving Arabic-speaking readers seeking timely digital news.

Quantifiable outcome

• 910% increase in page views (Al Majalla digital transformation)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and strategic.

• Princess Nourah UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Salesforce partnered with Princess Nourah University in Saudi Arabia to upskill Saudi citizens in AI, with a goal to train 30,000 learners. SRMG was showcased as a customer at this Salesforce Innovation Day event.
• Ministry of Culture (Saudi Arabia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2025SRMG was awarded a contract by the Saudi Ministry of Culture to operate and manage the Al Thaqafeya (Culture) Channel. This partnership reflects SRMG's expansion into cultural media and represents trust in SRMG's media expertise. The contract involves developing editorial processes, expanding content scope, and enhancing the channel's digital presence, with plans to launch new programs and modern storytelling techniques supported by AI.
• PhistrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2025SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) formed a strategic partnership with Phi, a leading OOH advertising company in the Middle East established in 2019, to enable global advertisers to access Phi's network of over 350 premium OOH locations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco. The partnership combines SMS's cross-platform content distribution capabilities with Phi's OOH advertising solutions, offering diversified advertising across the MENA region.
• Veyron MarketingstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2025SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) signed an MoU with Veyron Marketing, a leading media buying and marketing agency in Saudi Arabia and subsidiary of Naif Alrajhi Investment, to enable Veyron's clients to access SMS's portfolio of advertising solutions including innovative digital formats, branded content, and experiential advertising. Veyron brings expertise in traditional media planning and buying, complementing SMS's digital capabilities.
• Naif Alrajhi InvestmentstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025SRMG and Naif Alrajhi Investment, a leading Saudi investment firm with a diversified portfolio and track record in the media sector regionally, announced a strategic partnership to advance innovation and growth across MENA's media and advertising industries. The partnership focuses on expanding Phi's OOH advertising footprint and partnering with Veyron Marketing to drive innovation in media and marketing. SRMG's SMS and Naif Alrajhi Investment's diversified assets are brought together to create a dynamic ecosystem for brands.
• TikTokstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2025Billboard Arabia and TikTok partnered to launch the 'TikTok Billboard Arabia Top 50' music chart, a weekly chart that tracks the number of videos created on TikTok using popular artists' songs and the engagement on artists' profiles. This is the first chart of its kind for the MENA region, aligning with Billboard's global 'Top 50 Songs on TikTok' initiative and showcasing Middle Eastern artists on the global music stage.
• ThmanyahcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2021SRMG acquired a 51% controlling stake in Thmanyah, a leading Arabic podcast platform and producer of podcasts and documentaries in the MENA region, for approximately $9 million at a transaction valuation of $17.4 million. The acquisition aimed to integrate the platform into SRMG's digital content strategy and expand its content creation and distribution capabilities across multiple platforms and geographies as part of its digital-first strategy.
• BloombergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2018SRMG partnered with Bloomberg to launch Bloomberg Asharq (Asharq Business with Bloomberg), a multi-platform Arabic-language business and financial news service. The partnership includes a 24-hour television and radio network, digital platform, Bloomberg Businessweek magazine in Arabic, and a series of conferences and live events. Bloomberg Asharq is headquartered in the UAE with major operations in Dubai, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Cairo.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• News Corp: Global diversified media conglomerate with newspapers, digital platforms, and advertising. Comparable to SRMG's diversified news/lifestyle/sports portfolio and multi-platform monetization model, though at vastly larger scale and geographic reach.
• Thomson Reuters: Global news, business information, and media company. Comparable to SRMG's Asharq Business with Bloomberg and Argaam in business news/data verticals, and shares a similar multi-platform content + advertising model.
• Hearst Communications: U.S. diversified media conglomerate spanning newspapers, magazines, TV, and digital. Comparable to SRMG's portfolio structure (Asharq Al-Awsat, Sayidaty, Hia, Billboard Arabia) and multi-platform content + advertising monetization approach.

Direct peers

• Dubai Media Incorporated: Government of Dubai media entity operating TV, radio, print, and digital brands. Comparable as a Gulf-based multi-platform Arabic media group with similar advertiser relationships and audience profile.
• MBC Group: Saudi Arabia's largest private media conglomerate (MBC, Shahid, Al Arabiya). Directly comparable to SRMG as a MENA multi-platform media group with broadcast, digital, and advertising operations targeting the same Arabic-speaking audience.
• Sky News Arabia: UAE-based 24-hour Arabic news broadcaster with digital platforms. Comparable to SRMG's Asharq News and Bloomberg Asharq as a multi-platform Arabic business/news offering for MENA audiences.
• Al Jazeera Media Network: Qatar-based multi-platform Arabic news and media network with TV, digital, and Arabic-language operations. Closely comparable to SRMG's news and broadcasting verticals (Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News with Bloomberg) and similar audience targeting.
• Abu Dhabi Media: UAE government-backed media group operating TV channels, radio, print, and digital platforms. Comparable as a state-aligned, multi-platform Arabic media group competing for MENA advertisers and audiences.
• Rotana Group: Saudi-owned MENA entertainment and music conglomerate with TV channels, production, and digital distribution. Comparable to SRMG's Billboard Arabia and entertainment verticals targeting pan-Arab audiences.

Emerging players

• Bloomberg Media: Global business and financial media company partnered with SRMG via Bloomberg Asharq. Comparable as a business-news multi-platform operator; SRMG also competes with Bloomberg for Arabic-language business audience and advertisers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/srmggroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCofj0kV7Qb1bMoYpSjY4lQA
• Facebookfacebook.com/SRMGHQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/srmghq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about SRMG