Veteran TV executive Sam Barnett is stepping down as CEO of top Middle East broadcaster and streamer MBC Group and Mike Sneesby, former CEO of Australia’s Nine Entertainment, has been appointed his successor.
Barnett, who led MBC for more than 20 years in two separate stints, has been instrumental to MBC becoming a major Middle East player in both the linear and streaming spheres.
Barnett is joining PPF Group’s Central European Media Enterprises as its Prague-based CEO. CME runs 46 TV channels in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as streaming service Voyo.
Sneesby left Nine Entertainment, which spans TV, streaming and newspapers, in September 2024 following months of turmoil including the passing of a staff no confidence motion against him and the group’s board of directors.
Sneesby was previously co-founder of Australian streamer Stan and its CEO from 2015.
Sneesby’s appointment to lead MBC Group comes as the Saudi-owned group is on a growth trajectory after floating a 10% stake on the Riyadh stock exchange at the end of 2023 and gaining increasing traction on its streaming side.
The Saudi government owns a 60% stake in MBC while the rest is held by MBC Group chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim, who founded the pan-Arab satcaster that operates leading premium streamer Shahid VIP.
“Sam Barnett has played a key role in growing our group into a regional market leader within the competitive media and entertainment industry. I wish him great success in his move to Europe,” Al-Ibrahim said in a statement. “Looking ahead, we have ambitious growth and expansion plans, and I’m confident that Mike Sneesby, along with our stellar team, will propel the group to new heights,” he added.
Commented Sneesby: “MBC leads the way in media across the region and we will continue our growth with increasing global impact. We will deliver on this through innovation, creativity, digital transformation and our continued commitment to the production of world-leading content with fresh and compelling storytelling.”
Streaming is booming across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where the OTT subscription video market, led by MBC’s Shahid, generated revenues estimated at $1.2 billion in 2024, according to media analyst Omdia, which expects the MENA market’s online video and TV market will continue to grow in 2025.
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