OSN’s focus on entertainment for all types of viewers has allowed it to more than make up for losing its rights to air football tournaments. Strategic acquisitions to enhance its language offering and content mix will help attract more subscribers. It is also helpful for the firm that TV is a popular form of entertainment in the region and that there is a lack of significant competition.

An IPO could potentially lead to more funds coming in, allowing the network to expand its footprint and capitalise on some of the investments that have been made in the firm in recent years. However, pay-TV, in the Middle East especially, is seen as a difficult area for generating profit. There remains a question of exactly how profitable OSN is. More clarity on the firm’s future prospects will become available if it decides to go public, as it will need to disclose financial data.