Muscat Media Group

What Muscat Media Group does

Muscat Media Group (MMG) is a privately held Omani media conglomerate headquartered in Ruwi, Muscat, founded in 1975 by Essa bin Mohammed Al Zadjali and operated under the Flamma International group of companies. It publishes news, analysis, and multimedia content across print, broadcast, and digital channels, serving both Arabic-speaking and English-speaking audiences in Oman and the broader GCC. The group operates 32+ uniquely branded products spanning print titles (Times of Oman, Al Shabiba, T Weekly, Sabat Ayam, Novagram), radio stations (T FM and Shabiba FM under Muscat Media Galaxy), digital TV channels (T TV, Al Shabiba TV on YouTube), news websites (timesofoman.com, shabiba.com), mobile apps (Whatsnews, Whatsoulum), and a B2B digital marketing distribution service (Eshhar).

MMG's technology is a multi-platform digital media delivery system consisting of online editions (launched 2005, the first in the Gulf), mobile-optimized websites (2008), native mobile apps with customizable push notifications, and YouTube-based video channels. Proprietary features include the Whatsnews and Whatsoulum notification apps (41,000 and 73,000 notification subscribers respectively) and the Eshhar service, which converts paper-based marketing collateral into electronic material distributed via WhatsApp, websites, and social media.

The company generates revenue across four streams: print subscription/sales of newspapers and magazines, digital advertising across owned websites, mobile apps, and social media properties, broadcast/radio advertising through T FM and Shabiba FM, and professional services through the Eshhar digital marketing distribution offering. Customer segments include the Omani general audience (English and Arabic readers), Omani youth (Al Shabiba newspaper, Shabiba FM), and advertisers/marketers seeking access to Omani audiences through MMG's owned media inventory. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through a dedicated sales and business development team. Headcount is reported in the 101–250 range, and ownership remains within the Al Zadjali family (Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali, CEO Ahmed bin Essa Al Zadjali), with no disclosed external institutional or private equity investors.

Name

Muscat Media Group

Legal name

Muscat Media Group

Website

https://mmg.om

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Muscat Media Group is a privately held Omani media conglomerate founded in 1975 that publishes 32+ branded news, lifestyle, and broadcast products in Arabic and English across print, radio, digital TV, websites, and mobile apps for Omani audiences and advertisers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Newspaper Publishing & Multi-Platform Media

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711), Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

News Agencies & Wire Services (General & Specialized) (MPAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Periodicals, Magazines & Newspapers Distribution (CRAOALAB), Music/Audio-Visual Streaming Channels (Concerts, Music Video Channels) (MPABAHAL)

Keywords

• Newspaper publishing
• Broadcast media
• Digital media
• Print journalism
• Radio broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Ruwi

HQ country

Oman

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Print Publications: Revenue from sale of print newspapers and magazines including Times of Oman, Al Shabiba, Sabat Ayam, and T Weekly
2. Digital Advertising: Advertising revenue from digital platforms including websites (Times of Oman Digital, Al Shabiba Digital), mobile apps, and social media channels with high audience reach
3. Broadcast/Radio Advertising: Revenue from radio station advertising across T FM and Shabiba FM stations reaching young audiences in Oman
4. Eshhar Digital Distribution: Digital marketing distribution service transforming paper-based marketing into electronic material for corporate clients

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Muscat Media Group is a diversified media company that publishes, broadcasts and distributes news, lifestyle and entertainment content across print newspapers and magazines (Times of Oman, Al Shabiba, T Weekly, Sabat Ayam), FM radio stations (T FM, Shabiba FM), digital TV channels (T TV, Al Shabiba TV), news websites and mobile applications (Times of Oman Digital, Al Shabiba Digital, Whatsnews, Whatsoulum). It also operates the Eshhar digital marketing distribution service and the Novagram print agency for graphic and infographic content.

Product overview

Muscat Media Group operates a diversified portfolio of more than 32 uniquely branded products spanning print, broadcast, digital, and next-generation platforms. The group comprises: print publications (Times of Oman, Al Shabiba, T Weekly, Sabat Ayam, Novagram); digital platforms (Times of Oman Digital, Al Shabiba Digital, Whatsnews, Whatsoulum, Eshhar); radio stations under Muscat Media Galaxy (T FM, Shabiba FM); and digital TV channels (T TV, Al Shabiba TV). The group serves both Arabic and English language audiences across Oman with news, entertainment, and marketing distribution services, and has been recognised as a forerunner of innovation in the Gulf's digital media space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Times of Oman: Flagship print title and Oman's oldest English language newspaper founded in 1975, covering hard news and lifestyle content in print and digital formats.
• Al Shabiba
• Sabat Ayam
• T Weekly
• Novagram
• Muscat Media Galaxy
• Shabiba FM
• T FM
• Al Shabiba TV
• T TV
• Al Shabiba Digital
• Times of Oman Digital
• Eshhar
• Whatsnews
• Whatsoulum

Products and services

• Times of Oman Muscat Media Group's flagship English language newspaper founded in 1975, serving as Oman's oldest English daily. It has maintained market leadership for four decades as a comprehensive source of hard news and lifestyle content, available in print, online (since 2005), and mobile app (since 2014), targeting English-speaking readers in Oman.
• Al Shabiba Leading Arabic language newspaper targeting young, ambitious, and connected audiences. Launched in 1990 as a sports magazine and evolved into a daily newspaper. Available in both print and digital formats, it is the fastest-growing Arabic daily in Oman with international reach.
• T Weekly Oman's most popular weekly English language tabloid, originally called Hi Weekly and rebranded in 2018. Features four unique multimedia editions monthly covering T Travel, T Business, T Style and T Gourmet, delivering news, features and insight on lifestyle and business topics.
• Sabat Ayam Free weekly Arabic tabloid launched in August 2011, showcasing local and international news across beauty, fashion, technology, sports and cars.
• Times of Oman Digital Digital version of Times of Oman newspaper. Has dominated the online news market in Oman since 2004, generating over 7.2 million page views and 1.1 million unique users per month.
• Al Shabiba Digital Digital version of Al Shabiba newspaper, consistently ranked as the number one most-read Arabic language news website since its launch in 2004. Generates more than four million page views and one million unique users per month.
• Whatsnews Mobile app launched in 2014 providing breaking English language news updates from Oman with 41,000 fully customisable download notifications enabling subscribers to create tailor-made content. Available on Google Play and Apple Store.
• Whatsoulum Mobile app launched in 2014 providing breaking Arabic language news updates from across the Sultanate with almost 73,000 downloads for fully customisable notifications. Available on Google Play and Apple Store.
• Eshhar First-of-its-kind digital marketing distribution service launched in 2018 to support sustainability commitment. Transforms paper-based marketing collateral into electronic material distributed via WhatsApp, websites and social media platforms for corporate clients.
• T FM English FM radio station launched in 2018, serving as the heartbeat of the local English FM scene in Oman. 24/7 station featuring music, entertainment, discussions on local issues, and news for both Omani and expat community.
• Shabiba FM Arabic language radio station launched in 2018 celebrating local Omani talent, targeting youth listeners with fresh dynamic programming and engaging young presenters. Top-rated pick for the country's younger generation.
• T TV YouTube-based digital TV channel presenting the latest news from in and around the Sultanate since 2009. One of the most-watched YouTube channels in Oman with more than nine million viewers following its coverage of important local news stories. Features regular bulletins and daily shows reflecting top stories from Times of Oman.
• Al Shabiba TV Official video channel of the Shabiba brand, complementing the successful Shabiba FM radio station. Covers diverse programming including daily news bulletins and special features on politics, careers, business, sport, health, travel and entertainment relevant to youth.
• Novagram Print agency staffed by experienced artists, data experts and journalists, specialising in developing impactful graphic, diagram and map content for publishing industry clients. Has earned global accolades with more than 100 prestigious awards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Al Shabiba Digital ranked #1 most-read Arabic language news website since 2004 with 4M+ page views and 1M+ unique users per month
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Dubai Media Incorporated: DMI operates a broad portfolio of newspapers, radio stations, TV channels, and digital platforms in the UAE. A broader incumbent peer to MMG with overlapping multi-platform media operations but a wider geographic and portfolio scope.
• Abu Dhabi Media: Abu Dhabi Media operates newspapers (The National), radio stations, TV channels, and digital platforms across the UAE. Broader incumbent peer to MMG with overlapping newspaper, broadcast, and digital media operations in the Gulf.
• Al Jazeera Media Network: Al Jazeera operates pan-Arab TV channels, digital news platforms, and AJ+ targeting Arabic-speaking audiences globally. A broader incumbent and dominant pan-Arab news competitor that competes with MMG for audience attention and ad spend in the region.
• MBC Group: MBC Group is the largest pan-Arab broadcaster operating free-to-air TV, radio (MBC FM), and the Shahid streaming platform. Broader incumbent peer that competes for the same Arabic-speaking advertiser and audience budgets MMG targets.

Direct peers

• Arabian Radio Network (ARN): ARN operates multiple FM radio stations in the UAE (Virgin Radio, City FM, etc.) targeting Arabic and English-speaking youth, directly comparable to MMG's T FM and Shabiba FM operations under Muscat Media Galaxy.
• Gulf News: Gulf News is the UAE's leading English-language daily newspaper with a parallel digital platform (gulfnews.com), serving the same expatriate and English-reading GCC audience that MMG targets with Times of Oman. Direct structural peer for English-language newspaper + digital news in the Gulf.
• ITP Media Group: Dubai-based multi-brand publisher of magazines (Cosmopolitan, Time Out) and digital media serving the Middle East. Comparable to MMG as a diversified Arabic/English media portfolio with print, digital, and lifestyle brands targeting a similar regional audience.
• SRMG (Saudi Research and Marketing Group): SRMG publishes Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News, and other leading Arabic/English publications across print and digital channels. Closely comparable to MMG as a multi-title Arabic and English newspaper publishing group in the Gulf with diversified media operations.
• Al Madina Newspaper: One of Saudi Arabia's leading Arabic-language daily newspapers with an established print and digital presence. Comparable to MMG as a regional Arabic newspaper publisher with strong local market leadership and a parallel digital platform.

Others

• Choueiri Group (Arabian Outdoor / Radio): Choueiri Group operates outdoor advertising and radio sales representation across the MENA region. Adjacent ecosystem participant comparable to MMG's broadcast advertising business model and OOH/media representation activities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Shabiba
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCexample
• Facebookfacebook.com/muscatmediagroupllc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/muscatmediagroup
• Instagraminstagram.com/shabiba

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Muscat Media Group