Three new cinema operators in Saudi Arabia, 2500 screens in five years

 Moviegoers will have access to innovative screen experiences in Saudi Arabia after three new international cinema operators entered the Saudi market.

According to the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, with the launch of UAE's Rail Cinemas, South Africa's New Metro and Lebanon's Grand Cinemas, Saudi Arabia plans to expand its screens over the next five years to develop the country's cinema and family entertainment industry. It wants to increase to 2,500, which is worth about 1.2 billion dollars.

According to Arab News, the General Commission for Audio-Visual Media has also stated that MVI Cinemas and Empire Cinemas expanded their cinema outlets for the first time this year in three new cities, Khamis Mushit, Rabigh and Arar.

It is to be noted that since the kingdom lifted its 35-year-long ban on the screening of films four years ago, the kingdom is fast emerging as a major market for cinema chains.

Salim Ramiya, CEO of Grand Cinemas, told Arab News that 'Grand Cinemas, being a well-known brand in the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon since 2000, is now opening its own cinema in the Kingdom to take the cinema experience to the next level. will run the circuit.'

He informed that Grand Cinemas plans to open cinema outlets in at least six to 10 locations in the Kingdom to tap into the growing cinema market of the country.

"Grand Cinemas strive to provide the best halls that differentiate them from the rest of the operators in terms of luxury, decor and state-of-the-art technology in sound, picture and seating," Saleem Ramia said.

Grand Cinemas plans to launch around 11 screens at The Park Complex in Taif in October.

The CEO of Grand Cinemas said they also plan to install screens in a few other locations, notably the Souq Sat properties in Jeddah and the Al Mamsha project in Al Ahsa city.

The entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years as the General Commission for Audiovisual Media has been effectively facilitating national and foreign investment into the sector.

The total number of cinemas in the kingdom has reached 59. The aim is to increase career opportunities for Saudi youth and women and activate the local cinema sector in terms of entertainment and diversity in the Kingdom.

The return of cinema to Saudi Arabia has reinvigorated the country's industry.

According to officials of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, it aims to build 350 theaters in the next five years, which will create more than 30,000 jobs by 2030.