Saudi Arabia Music Streaming Market Overview, 2030

Saudi Arabia’s music streaming landscape is undergoing a distinct evolution, shaped by rapid digital adoption, shifting cultural norms, and a government-supported push toward entertainment diversification. With a majority of its population under the age of 35, Saudi Arabia presents a digitally native audience that has quickly integrated music streaming into everyday life. Platforms such as Spotify, Anghami, YouTube Music, and Apple Music are now deeply embedded in the daily routines of urban consumers, especially in cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, where demand for mobile-first, on-the-go entertainment is rising. Listening trends are particularly influenced by regional preferences such as the growing popularity of Khaleeji pop, Arabic rap, and religious recitations which are now easily accessible on platforms offering Arabic-language interfaces and curated playlists. Additionally, increased acceptance of public music consumption in cafes, cars, retail spaces, and even in events reflects a broader social shift as the Kingdom opens up to cultural engagement through entertainment. Alongside content preferences, platform features have become a key differentiator, with users seeking seamless access, offline listening, and smart recommendations in both Arabic and English. The availability of music streaming through smartphones, smart TVs, and wearable tech has expanded consumption touchpoints throughout the day. Wearable integration particularly through fitness devices and smartwatches is growing in urban areas where health and wellness trends are intersecting with entertainment choices. Music has also become an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s retail and hospitality sectors, with businesses subscribing to streaming services for background music aligned to local tastes. In religious contexts, demand for audio Quran streaming, nasheeds, and Islamic content during specific periods such as Ramadan or Hajj has solidified music apps as platforms for spiritual engagement as well.

According to the research report ""Saudi Arabia Music Streaming Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia Music Streaming market is anticipated to add to more than USD 990 Million by 2025-30. The acceleration of music streaming growth in Saudi Arabia is being driven by a mix of national reforms, digital infrastructure investment, and changes in media consumption habits across various population groups. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, aimed at reducing oil dependency and building a thriving entertainment sector, has paved the way for a creative economy where digital music is gaining institutional and grassroots support. The establishment of the Music Commission under the Ministry of Culture and the rise of music education initiatives in schools are normalizing music appreciation, particularly among younger generations who are now more open to exploring both local and international sounds. As music becomes a key part of school curricula and public discourse, the pipeline of future listeners and creators expands. These changes are also encouraging independent artists to distribute their work directly through streaming platforms, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and allowing for a more diverse digital audio ecosystem. A further contributor to this trend is the increasing affordability and reach of mobile data, driven by competitive telecom offerings from STC, Mobily, and Zain. High-speed internet penetration, including in smaller cities and rural areas, has enabled wider access to streaming platforms without reliance on physical music sales or satellite channels. Cloud storage and AI-enhanced content recommendation algorithms have helped platforms retain listeners by aligning content with personal and seasonal preferences. Meanwhile, national festivals like Riyadh Season and MDLBEAST Soundstorm have created new intersections between physical music events and digital listening behaviors, as users turn to platforms to revisit performances, discover artists, or follow event playlists. The influence of social media is also notable many Saudi influencers and content creators regularly share music links, soundtracks, or streaming recommendations, blending lifestyle trends with streaming activity.

In terms of service modes, on-demand streaming dominates music access habits across Saudi Arabia, with platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Anghami frequently used for creating personalized listening sessions across various genres. Urban users, especially in Riyadh and Jeddah, gravitate toward apps that offer deep recommendation engines and allow offline downloading, making them a staple for travel and mobile data management. Customized content delivery, such as Ramadan-themed playlists or Khaleeji genre mixes, has helped these services establish loyal user bases. Arabic hip-hop, pop, and nasheed content are also gaining a foothold among younger Saudis who are using these services to explore regional and international music trends. Alongside on-demand growth, live streaming of performances and artist sessions is rising rapidly, driven by increased hosting of virtual concerts, talent shows, and artist collaborations through platforms like Instagram Live and YouTube Live. With the growing cultural appetite for real-time interactions with local and international stars, this service type is becoming a favored engagement channel, especially among Gen Z users. Artists themselves are using these channels for debuting new releases or hosting behind-the-scenes interactions, making live formats an expanding component of the music streaming ecosystem. As broadband coverage extends and more artists begin experimenting with hybrid performances, live streaming is anticipated to deepen its imprint on music engagement patterns within the Kingdom.

When exploring the format of streamed content, audio remains the most prominent type in Saudi Arabia, catering to a wide spectrum of listeners across age groups, religious inclinations, and daily life contexts. Audio-based streaming offers flexibility and is embedded into numerous aspects of Saudi life whether it’s listening to Quran recitations during evening hours, tuning into Arabic podcasts on social issues, or streaming global music during workouts or shopping trips. Audio content is particularly favored due to its compatibility with multitasking and lower data consumption, especially in regions where users may manage limited bandwidth. Spotify, Deezer, and Anghami continue to thrive with diverse audio libraries and features that align with Saudi consumer expectations. However, video-based music consumption is scaling rapidly, especially among younger users in cities like Jeddah and Khobar, who consume music videos, live performances, and visual interviews via YouTube and Apple Music Video. Events such as MDLBEAST Soundstorm have catalyzed demand for video replays, backstage footage, and artist interviews, expanding viewer engagement beyond audio formats. Music videos that highlight traditional Saudi backdrops or modern cultural references tend to gain viral traction on social platforms, pointing to a clear intersection between digital video streaming and music fandom. Influencers, vloggers, and content creators in the Kingdom are increasingly using music video snippets in their productions, further driving visibility of this format.

In terms of monetization, subscription-based models currently serve as the main revenue stream for music platforms operating in Saudi Arabia, as premium tiers attract users interested in ad-free access, high-quality audio, and exclusive features. Given the country's steadily rising disposable income among middle- and upper-income groups, monthly and annual plans are being widely adopted especially among users in large cities who are accustomed to global digital subscription norms across other services such as video streaming and gaming. Family plans and student-focused offerings are particularly popular among households and university-goers. Subscription-based music services are also being bundled with telecom operator plans and mobile phone purchases, making them more accessible and reducing user friction during signup. Meanwhile, non-subscription channels are emerging as a rapidly growing revenue avenue. Freemium access supported by ads, artist tipping during live events, and brand-sponsored content campaigns are finding increasing relevance. Platforms like YouTube and Audiomack have leveraged advertising and influencer partnerships to tap into user engagement without paywalls. Local brands and event organizers are also beginning to sponsor playlists or partner with artists to promote music-related campaigns.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Music Streaming Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Service
• On-demand Streaming
• Live Streaming

By Content Type
• Audio
• Video

By Revenue Channels
• Subscription
• Non-Subscription Show more