Faizan Khan
Karachi: Begin, the UAE-based OTT streaming platform, has acquired the global streaming rights for Pakistan Idol, one of South Asia’s most celebrated music reality formats. The move marks a major step in Begin’s strategy to expand South Asian entertainment to international audiences and elevate local talent onto a global stage.
Produced under license from Fremantle, the global entertainment powerhouse behind the Idol franchise, Pakistan Idol has become a cultural phenomenon, discovering new voices and showcasing the country’s exceptional musical talent.
Airing every Saturday and Sunday across seven major Pakistani television channels — Geo TV, PTV, Green Entertainment, Express Entertainment, APlus Entertainment, Aur Life, and Aan TV — the show has emerged as a weekly national event, drawing strong viewer engagement and trending discussions across social media.
While Pakistan Idol has been streaming locally, it will now reach a worldwide audience via the Begin app in the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Viewers in other regions, including the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Australia, South Africa, and Nigeria, can access it through begin.watch, expanding the show’s reach across multiple continents.
In Pakistan, live streaming will continue to be available at 8 PM via Tapmad, Daraz, Zong, and Begin.
“The international distribution of Pakistan Idol demonstrates how far South Asian entertainment has come in reaching global audiences,” said Zoya Merchant, Director at MHL. “This collaboration with Begin represents an important step toward integrating Pakistani creativity into the broader entertainment ecosystem.”
Jonathan Mark, Co-Founding CEO of Begin, added: “Pakistan Idol embodies the kind of storytelling and talent that transcend geography. Making it available worldwide aligns with our vision of connecting communities through shared cultural experiences.”
The addition of Pakistan Idol further strengthens Begin’s growing South Asian library, as the platform continues to expand its regional catalogue and engage global audiences with authentic and diverse content.
