Riyadh, 14 Sha'ban 1447 AH (2 February 2026)

Princess Reem bint Saif Al-Islam bin Saud, Deputy President for Strategy and Enablement at the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, stressed the importance of accurate statistics and data in charting the media sector's road map, speaking in a panel titled "Media and Investment: A Partnership for Creating Value" at the fifth Saudi Media Forum.

She was joined by Eng. Al-Hassan Hamid Al-Din, Director General of the Saudi programme for attracting regional headquarters of global companies at the Ministry of Investment, and Thani Al-Ahmad, Director General of Capacity Building at the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at).

Princess Reem explained that the commission oversees a trusted channel for data and statistics on the five media sectors of video, audio, publishing, advertising and gaming, giving a precise picture of audience preferences and trends. Saudi audiences, she noted, lean towards fast, honest local content while keeping an eye on global developments.

The Saudi media market attracted 20 foreign media companies last year and ranks among the fastest-growing and most attractive markets in the G20, she said, forecasting a compound annual growth rate of 8.2 percent between 2024 and 2029. The Kingdom accounts for roughly 30 percent of the Middle East media market, with internet penetration above 99 percent.

Al-Ahmad outlined Monsha'at's programmes for emerging media businesses, including specialised training, tracks for entrepreneurial media, and the "Tomooh" service for companies that have recorded tangible growth over the past three years, ensuring they benefit from advantages tied to their expansion.

Hamid Al-Din reviewed the support available to small and medium enterprises entering the media field, from feasibility studies to strategic planning, and pointed to Vision 2030's role in positioning the Kingdom as a leading regional media hub with robust digital infrastructure, alongside incentives such as the "Invest Saudi" platform and the one-stop service centre.

The speakers agreed that the arrival of international media companies raises the skills of local talent, localises knowledge and enriches the national economy through the sector's added value.

At a Glance

  • Venue: Saudi Media Forum, Riyadh
  • Occasion: Fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum
  • Key speakers: Princess Reem bint Saif Al-Islam, Eng. Al-Hassan Hamid Al-Din, Thani Al-Ahmad
  • Goal: Strengthen the media-investment partnership, localise knowledge and support sector growth