Setup, Operate and Grow Your Media & Creative Business in Saudi Arabia
AstroLabs supports international media and creative companies — including agencies, entertainment firms, and broadcasting studios — in building compliant, market-ready operations in Saudi Arabia.
Media Market Entry in Saudi Arabia, Built for Long-Term Growth
Saudi Arabia’s media sector, accounting for 30% of MENA’s market and projected to reach $23 billion by 2026, is transforming rapidly, offering major opportunities for international media enterprises. AstroLabs helps companies get licensed and operational quickly, enabling them to tap into the Kingdom’s digital-first population, government support, and growing creative economy.
Why Media Companies Trust AstroLabs in Saudi Arabia
Sector-Specific Activity Classification
edia and marketing companies in Saudi Arabia operate across a wide range of licensed activities — from advertising and production to broadcasting, digital content, and event management — and the wrong classification limits what you can do and who you can invoice. AstroLabs has expanded broadcasters, creative agencies, digital media platforms, and production houses, giving us clear visibility of which activity codes apply to your business model.
Strong Grasp of Local Regulations
Operating in Saudi media means navigating content guidelines, General Commission for Audiovisual Media requirements, and advertising standards alongside the standard MISA setup process. AstroLabs ensures your entity is structured with full awareness of the regulatory environment specific to the sector.
A Platform for Growth Beyond Setup
Media companies grow through relationships. AstroLabs' network of 20,000+ regional decision-makers, combined with our community of 850+ high-growth businesses already operating in the Kingdom, gives media clients immediate access to brands, agencies, platforms, and event organizers that become your first Saudi clients and partners.
The Setup Process
First Stage: Legal Entity Establishment (1 Month)
- Obtain a MISA Investor License (valid for one year)
- Reserve company name
- Draft & notarize Articles of Association (AoA)
- Secure Commercial Registration (CR) from the Ministry of Commerce
- Register with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC)
Second Stage: Authorization & Hiring (2–3 Months)
- Obtain the official company seal
- Register with the Ministry of Labor
- Enroll with GOSI for employee insurance
- Register the business National Address
- Issue a General Manager (GM) visa
- Register with ZATCA for VAT compliance
Essential Post-Incorporation Checklist
Tax Filing with ZATCA
File your annual tax returns through ZATCA (formerly GAZT) to remain compliant with Saudi tax regulations.
Business License Renewals
Be vigilant about renewing your Commercial Registration (CR), MISA license, and the GM’s Iqama, as well as any other required approvals.
Government Platform Management
Keep your accounts active and updated on Muqeem, Qiwa, and Mudad platforms to ensure smooth compliance and reporting
Payroll and HR Compliance
Regularly report payroll and social insurance obligations, keeping salary records and GOSI registrations current.
Saudization (Nitaqat) Requirements
You must meet local hiring (Saudization) targets based on your industry and company size. Failing to comply can lead to restrictions or operational penalties.
Media License Types
Media Production License
- Film and television production
- Documentary production
- Commercial and advertising content
- Digital content creation
- Animation and visual effects
Media Publishing License
- Digital publishing platforms
- News and editorial content
- Magazines and periodicals
- Online media outlets
- Content aggregation platforms
Broadcasting and Distribution License
- Radio broadcasting
- Satellite and cable distribution
- Streaming services
- IPTV platforms
- Content distribution networks
Advertising and Marketing License
- Advertising agencies
- Media buying and planning
- Creative agencies
- Digital marketing services
- Influencer marketing platforms
Media and Creative Expansion Announcements
February 20, 2026
Catapult Expands to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs
Catapult, the global full-service live experience agency with offices in Dublin, London, New York, and LA, has announced its strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia. The company's entry into the Kingdom is supported by AstroLabs, the Gulf's leading business expansion platform.
Media and Creative Expansion Announcements
February 20, 2026
Aurora Media Worldwide Expands to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs
Aurora Media Worldwide, a multi-award-winning production house providing content services across live and non-live channels, has just announced its expansion to Saudi Arabia and the opening of its new office, facilitated by AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading expansion platform.
Media and Creative Expansion Announcements
February 20, 2026
5dVR expands to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs to Fuel Growth of the VR and AR Sectors
5dVR, a virtual reality content and production studio, has expanded to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform. The move aligns with 5dVR’s mission to enable a wider range of businesses across multiple industries to adopt and make use of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality and virtual reality (VR) technologies.
Incepted in 2016, the Cairo-based company specializes in the creation of immersive experiences and provides bespoke solutions to cater to the unique needs of its clients across a variety of sectors.
Media and Creative Success Stories
February 20, 2026
Footballco’s 14 Million Saudi Reach Drives Fan Engagement in the Kingdom
Football remains a crucial catalyst for the sustained growth of the Saudi sports sector, which is likely to reach a market volume of $22.4 billion by 2030.
As such, the football media landscape is undergoing profound change, transforming into a multifaceted industry that brings investments and global interest, ushering in a new era for increased football fan engagement in Saudi Arabia.
Capitalizing on the ongoing momentum, Footballco, the leading UK-headquartered football content and media company, has deepened its investments and on-ground presence in the Kingdom with the launch of its regional headquarters (RHQ) in Riyadh.
Media and Creative Success Stories
February 20, 2026
Assembly Global: Leading the Digital Advertising Sector in Saudi Arabia
In 2022, the global digital advertising agency Assembly Global expanded to Saudi Arabia and has since proven to be a key player in this rapidly growing sector in the Kingdom.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, the US-headquartered Assembly Global has a presence in 25 markets in Europe, MENA, North America, and APAC. It employs over 1500 employees operating from its global offices.
The staggering pace with which Saudi Arabia embraces digital transformation goals has brought about a dramatic surge in demand for global expertise and business consulting capabilities of Assembly Global. As a result, the global firm has consistently identified Saudi Arabia as a fast-growing market for its services.
Media and Creative Success Stories
Teads: Unlocking the Potential of Adtech in Saudi Arabia
Worldwide, digital advertising has opened up new avenues for businesses, allowing them to expand their reach and target a broader clientele with precision. Teads is one company that assists businesses in bolstering their digital advertising capabilities by adopting a data-driven and programmatic approach. That way, it enables them to effectively measure advertising outcomes, deliver contextually relevant, dynamic content, and unlock troves of value-creation opportunities.
Leveraging a workforce of 1200 people in 50 offices across 30 countries, Teads, a prominent industry leader in the advertising technology (adtech) space, has been diligently working to propel companies in Saudi Arabia forward to new heights in their digital advertising game, orchestrating their next growth chapter. Across its global markets, Teads enables advertisers (buyer) to reach 1.9 billion unique monthly users and ensure they achieve better outcomes and deliver the ROI on their media spending. Using Teads, publishers (sellers) can maximize the value and reach of their digital content.
Media and Creative Success Stories
7awi Media Group: Shaping the Future of Digital Storytelling in Saudi Arabia
7awi Media Group continues to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, reshaping digital storytelling through localized, audience-driven content.