NEOM, xx July 2024: NEOM Media Industries Sector and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA)
have unveiled a successful strategic partnership to produce mainstream local episodic content while
simultaneously propelling the growth of a vibrant Saudi talent pool.
As part of the collaboration, SBA and NEOM Industry Learning are co-developing training programs
across the entire creative industries value chain. These programs are strategically designed to
contribute to SBA’s digital transformation efforts and concurrently nurture the Saudi component of its
workforce. The joint efforts reflect a commitment to building a robust foundation for the media industry
in Saudi Arabia, ensuring a skilled and capable workforce is equipped for the challenges and
opportunities of the digital era. Through this program, 80 trainees will graduate by 2025. In addition,
each TV production will support placements to offer invaluable on-set, hands-on experience.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr, Chief Executive Officer of NEOM, said: “At NEOM, we are committed to
reinforcing our leadership position and establishing a premier hub for the media industries that
competes on a global scale. This initiative is pivotal in accelerating our ascent to regional and global
prominence. We anticipate that this strategic partnership will catalyze innovation, spur economic
growth and strengthen cultural foundations, thereby advancing our vision of significantly contributing
to the evolution of the global media landscape. In collaboration with (SBA), we aim to harness and
elevate local talent, bringing regional narratives and productions to the international forefront. This
partnership is set to redefine media and cultural perceptions globally, bridging cross-cultural
boundaries.”
Mohammed bin Fahad Al-Harthi, CEO of SBA, said: “We are committed to producing original
local content with international standards, and at the same time empowering local talents to work on
such high-caliber projects, side by side with stars from all over the Arab world and highly-acclaimed
crew members. Our partnership with NEOM embodies every aspect of this vision. With its cutting-
edge infrastructure and commitment to invest in local talents, NEOM aligns with SBA’s goal to
produce authentic Saudi content with a global visibility and to enrich local expertise.”
As a testament to the depth and ambition of this alliance, SBA is exploring the prospect of
establishing an ongoing operational presence within the NEOM Media Hub, harnessing the
advantages of cutting-edge infrastructure, technology services, financial production incentives and a
regulatory framework which is resonating within the industry. These factors are attracting productions
and media companies from the region and beyond. This partnership is part of a long-term plan where
SBA will take up residency in the forthcoming end-state hub on THE LINE.
This collaboration has already resulted in the successful production of the local reality TV series,
‘Unbreakable,’ which is now in pre-production for its second season. This marks the initiation of a
strong pipeline of six productions across multiple genres and formats. With the support of NEOM,
SBA endeavors to consistently develop and acquire programs that will be produced, either partially or
entirely, in NEOM.