Name: Maaz Sheikh
Designation: Co-Founder & CEO
Company: STARZPLAY
Maaz Sheikh is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the streaming revolution in the Middle East, a leader who recognised early that entertainment would move away from scheduled television towards personalised, on-demand viewing. As Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of STARZPLAY, he has played a central role in reshaping how millions of viewers across the region access movies, television series and live sports, building one of the Middle East’s most successful subscription video platforms. Born in Pakistan, Sheikh pursued an engineering education before transitioning into telecommunications and digital services.
In 2015, he co-founded STARZPLAY with a clear and ambitious mission: to deliver global-quality streaming experiences to the Middle East while adapting to local tastes, infrastructure and market realities. Launching a subscription platform in a region challenged by piracy and inconsistent internet speeds required both conviction and innovation. However, Sheikh’s has positioned STARZPLAY as a platform that successfully balances international blockbusters with Arabic originals and premium live sports content, including major regional events.
