Waleed oversees the operation of the biggest and strongest free-to-air TV channels in the Arab world as well as its SVOD platform Shahid VIP. While MBC’s focus has been on showcasing Hollywood and Bollywood movies in the past, MBC has allocated a hefty budget to spend over the next five years making Arab content particularly long-running soap operas and limited mini-series. As part of a new $100 million annual spending plan, MBC will be doubling down on fewer but bigger-budget projects, with a particular focus on Young Adult programming to bolster appeal across a region where two-thirds of the population is under the age of 35. Egyptian comedies are also high on its content agenda. The company co-produced and co-financed the Gerald Butler CIA action thriller KANDAHAR that starting shooting in December in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ula region.