Piracy and Account Sharing in Saudi Arabia: Streaming Trends and Industry Impact 

In Saudi Arabia, 84% of connected households watch online content, and there are more than 530 streaming services available in the country. However, this wide range of platforms coexists with high rates of piracy and account sharing—two factors that directly impact the digital ecosystem. 

Piracy in Saudi Arabia  

Online piracy in Saudi Arabia has shown a gradual decline. It dropped from 52% in Q2 2024 to 43% in Q4 of the same year. Despite the decrease, it remains one of the highest rates in the EMEA region. It is on par with South Africa (46%) and Denmark (43%). 

The main method is through M3U lists (95%) followed by IPTV with 39%. In addition, 17% of users access pirated content via streaming platforms and torrents. Additionally, usage frequency is high: 35% of users consume online pirated content daily. Meanwhile, 78% do so at least once per week. This reflects a well-established habit among viewers. 

Account Sharing Increases Despite Lower Prices 

Despite offering one of the most affordable streaming ecosystems in the EMEA region—an average monthly subscription cost of USD 12, 16% below the regional average of USD 14—Saudi Arabia records the highest account sharing rate in the region, at 35%. 

This figure has increased by 6% over the past year, indicating a growing trend. The rise suggests that even with relatively low prices, users continue to seek cost-saving alternatives by sharing access. 

While platforms like Netflix and Disney+ have introduced account sharing restrictions in other markets through "extra member" plans, these measures have not yet been enforced in Saudi Arabia. This delay may be contributing to the persistence of account sharing behavior. 

An additional insight: both Netflix and Disney+ report the highest churn rates in Saudi Arabia, with economic reasons cited as the main driver. This indicates that, despite affordability, subscription costs remain a sensitive factor in user retention.  

Among the available services, Eros Now (USD 3.20) and Crunchyroll (USD 4) offer the most affordable monthly plans, while OSN+ (USD 13.06), Disney+ (USD 11.46) and Netflix (USD 9.33) rank as the highest-priced basic options in the market. 

Revenue Pressure from Piracy and Sharing 

The combination of piracy and account sharing creates significant pressure on actual revenue per subscriber. While 71% of households have access to subscription platforms, shared use and illegal access dilute the potential benefits of that penetration. 

This situation raises a key question for the industry: how can platforms achieve effective monetization in an environment where access does not always translate into sustainable income? 

One of the most promising answers lies in diversified monetization models—particularly ad-supported streaming options. The strong presence of free-with-ads users in the market suggests a greater openness to hybrid models that offer lower subscription fees in exchange for advertising. These models not only broaden access but also ensure that each view has a measurable value. 

Addressing this challenge will require comprehensive strategies. These may include usage controls, financial incentives, and digital education to promote more responsible viewership practices.