Media Business Setup in Saudi Arabia: License Types and Process

Saudi Setup Practical Guides

26 Jan 2025

Dunya Hassanein

Gain a complete overview of the key steps and requirements for a successful media business setup process in Saudi Arabia in 2025

Are you contemplating a media business setup in Saudi Arabia? Below is a complete walkthrough of the market entry process and the steps required to achieve a successful business setup.

With a market value of $4.6 billion (SAR 17.4 billion), Saudi Arabia’s media sector commands 30% of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s market share, making it attractive for companies with global growth aspirations.

Market Expansion and Entry Process in Saudi Arabia

While the government’s open-door policy for foreign businesses allows for 100% ownership of Saudi-incorporated entities, starting a media company in the Kingdom requires a thorough understanding of the local regulations and legal requirements.

By leveraging the services of AstroLabs and the expertise of its on-ground team, you can establish your company in Saudi quickly and efficiently while complying with media business regulations in Saudi Arabia. Book a free consultation now.

The market entry process involves three main stages:

Stage 1: Establishing a Legal Entity

The foundation of your Saudi operations begins with the establishment of a legal entity, a process that typically spans one month. This stage involves:

1. Secure the MISA investor license

2. Reserve a company name:

3. Draft Articles of Association (AoA)

4. Obtain a Commercial Registration (CR) certificate

5. Register with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC)

Stage 2: Authorization and Team Formation

The second phase, taking about two months, focuses on recruitment and compliance. Steps include:

6. Acquire a company seal

7. Register with the Ministry of Labor (MoL)

8. Enrol with the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI)

9. Register a national address

10. Issue a General Manager (GM) Visa

11. Register with the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT)

Stage 3: Finalizing Residency and Banking

The final stage, often requiring up to three months, involves completing essential residency and financial procedures:

12. Activate the Chamber of Commerce account

13. Obtain Health Insurance

14. Get a Medical Check-up

15. Issuing the GM’s Iqama

16. Register with the Muqeem portal for streamlined visa and residency management

17. Register with the Absher portal for an array of e-government services

18. Register with the Qiwa portal for business services designed for SMEs

19. Register with the Mudad Portal to manage essential municipal services for your company

20. Open a bank account

Important Considerations for Companies Setting up a Business in Saudi Arabia

Key stakeholders in the media sector:

  • General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM): Issues licenses for production, broadcasting, and content distribution.
  • Ministry of Culture (MoC): Oversees the development of Saudi’s creative economy and cultural initiatives, supports the development of local talent, and offers funding and partnership opportunities for cultural media projects.

A Summary of What a Media Business Setup in Saudi Arabia Looks Like

Here is a summary of the steps necessary to establish a media business in Saudi Arabia.

  • Start with MISA: Secure an investment license to legally operate a media business.
  • Get Production Approvals from GCAM: Apply for a production license before creating any content.
  • Register Your Business: Complete your commercial registration through the Ministry of Commerce.
  • Comply with Saudization Requirements: Meet local hiring quotas to avoid fines and penalties.
  • Leverage Local Partnerships: Collaborate with production houses, broadcasters, and streaming platforms like Shahid.

AstroLabs can help you speed up your GCAM licensing. Get in touch with one of their account managers to support a streamlined, faster market entry

Types of Licenses Available for Media businesses in Saudi

  • Audiovisual content production license
  • Importing and distributing audiovisual media content
  • License to distribute or import movies, videos and TV shows
  • License to operate a production studio
  • Printing license
  • Retail license for books and magazines
  • Advertising offices, audio-visual media, marketing offices and advertising agencies
  • Public Relations Activity License
  • Book publishing activity license
  • License to publish newspapers and magazines
  • Wholesale license for books and magazines
  • Press Services License
  • VoIP Audiovisual Content Distribution Platform License
  • Satellite Distribution Platform License
  • Import and distribution of media content receivers and accessories
  • License to practice the activity of operating fixed cinemas
  • License to operate the activity of operating temporary cinemas and specialized needs
  • Cinema theater operating license (temporary)
  • License to operate a cinema (for specialist needs)
  • Computer software cloning
  • Software Retail License
  • Licensing of copying and photocopying activities
  • Licensing for media studies and consulting
  • Electronic press activity
  • Broadcasting via mobile phone or other electronic means
  • Media Measurement License
  • Photography Activity License
  • Painting and Calligraphy Activity License
  • Retail used books license
  • Wholesale of software includes import
  • Sale and rental of audio-visual media content
  • Licensing the activity of designing and programming special software
  • Licensing of scheduled "linear" audio or video broadcasting services

Successful Expansion in the Saudi Media Sector: Augustus Media

As a leading media hub in the region, Saudi Arabia has attracted big international companies to establish their regional headquarters in the country.

Among those is Augustus Media, one of AstroLab's expansion champions, which set up a base in 2019 after launching its flagship brand, Loving Saudi. With a vision to cover the region’s entertainment industry across various categories, the platform aims to capture the pulse of the Saudi culture, business landscape, and lifestyle.

The company’s expansion into Saudi has set the stage for the debut of groundbreaking media products like SMASHI TV, a regional platform that works to transform content development and monetization.

Augusts Media continues to be a vital player in the Saudi media industry, harnessing unique approaches to remain attuned to the latest trends in this evolving environment as well as supporting the country’s efforts to boost local content production.

This was exemplified by the company’s recent participation in the $1.1 billion Ignite Program, which aims at turning the kingdom into a leading hub for digital content creation and entertainment.

Why Big-Name Media Companies Set up a Business in Saudi Arabia

The country’s emphasis on spurring local media production aligns with the nation’s broader development goals to make Saudi the first choice for global entertainment investments.

Global companies eyeing a media business set up in Saudi Arabia are not just looking to compete globally but also to set a new benchmark for the local industry.

The Kingdom’s media-focused blueprint hinges upon advancing the creator's economy, comprising competitive talent and leading players in television broadcasts, film, games, online video, and digital media.

Saudi Arabia has an extremely advanced internet infrastructure, a vital competitive edge that creates an attractive environment for digital nomads, investors, and developers.

The digital revolution taking place nationwide has significantly altered the consumer experience. This has provided a conducive operating environment for global digital marketing and advertising consultancies and innovative solutions providers.

Examples include firms like Assembly Global and Teads, both of which have recently expanded to Saudi Arabia with the help of AstroLabs.

Join AstroLabs’ growing community of industry leaders. Contact AstroLabs now and one of the on-ground team members will get back to you soon to kickstart the market entry process

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