ZEE5 Global Appoints Ali Zaidi as Territory Head for MENA

ZEE Entertainment has elevated Ali Zaidi as Territory Head MENA, entrusting the seasoned media executive with leading ZEE5 Global’s growth strategy across the Middle East and North Africa. The appointment underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening its regional footprint while expanding its portfolio of South Asian and Arabic entertainment offerings.

In his expanded role, Zaidi will oversee ZEE5 Global’s business across the GCC, driving subscriber growth, strengthening market presence and accelerating the company’s long-term expansion plans across the region.

Driving Regional Growth

As Territory Head MENA, Zaidi will lead ZEE5 Global’s strategic initiatives across multiple business verticals, including digital streaming, television and advertising.

His responsibilities include expanding the reach of ZEE’s South Asian entertainment brands, including Zee TV and Zee Cinema, while growing the company’s FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channel offerings across the region.

He will also continue leading the growth of Arabic entertainment channels Zee Alwan and Zee Aflam, alongside scaling ZEE’s co-production initiatives with regional partners.

Strengthening Arabic Content

As part of its evolving content strategy, ZEE5 Global has also expanded its Arabic entertainment portfolio by integrating Weyyak content onto the ZEE5 platform.

The move reflects the company’s strategy of delivering culturally relevant and locally resonant content while strengthening its appeal among audiences across the GCC and wider MENA region.

The enhanced content offering is expected to further position ZEE5 as a comprehensive destination for both South Asian and Arabic entertainment.

Experienced Media Leadership

Zaidi brings more than 28 years of experience across broadcast and digital media to his new role.

During his tenure at ZEE, he has held several senior leadership positions across content, strategy and revenue.

As Business Head of ZEE’s English Cluster, he led Zee Cafe and Zee Studio, introducing the pioneering “Uncut” initiative that brought uncensored Hollywood programming to Indian audiences, including the exclusive Indian premiere of House of Cards.

Most recently, as Chief Strategy Sales Officer for ZEE’s North Branch and Hindi Speaking Markets (HSM) cluster, Zaidi managed a business portfolio valued at approximately US$650 million while leading a cross-functional team of more than 100 professionals.

He also played a key role in building strategic partnerships with leading global brands, including Reckitt, Pepsi, Nestlé and Coca-Cola.

Vision for the MENA Market

Commenting on his appointment, Zaidi described the MENA region as a unique meeting point of South Asian and Arabic entertainment cultures.

He highlighted the integration of Weyyak content, expanding co-production partnerships and the transition to in-house advertising through Z5X Global as key developments that demonstrate ZEE5 Global’s long-term commitment to the market.

Zaidi said he looks forward to building a sustainable entertainment ecosystem driven by compelling content, innovation and technology while strengthening the platform’s position across the region.

Expanding the Entertainment Ecosystem

Under Zaidi’s leadership, ZEE5 Global aims to focus on:

• Expanding its subscriber base across MENA
• Strengthening South Asian and Arabic content offerings
• Growing FAST channel distribution
• Increasing regional co-productions
• Enhancing advertising and monetisation capabilities

The company believes these initiatives will support long-term audience growth while reinforcing ZEE5’s competitive position in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital entertainment markets.

The Bigger Industry Shift

Zaidi’s appointment reflects broader trends shaping the streaming industry:

• Increased investment in regional leadership
• Expansion of multilingual content libraries
• Growth of FAST channels
• Rising demand for culturally relevant programming
• Stronger focus on local partnerships and co-productions

Streaming platforms are increasingly combining global content with regional storytelling to strengthen audience engagement and build long-term loyalty.

The Bottom Line

Ali Zaidi’s elevation to Territory Head MENA marks an important step in ZEE Entertainment’s regional growth strategy.

With extensive leadership experience and a mandate spanning digital streaming, television, content partnerships and advertising, Zaidi will play a central role in expanding ZEE5 Global’s presence while delivering richer entertainment experiences for audiences across the Middle East and North Africa.