CEO of OSN Group, Joe Kawkabani, departs after a tenure of three years
OSN Group's CEO Steps Down Amidst Strategic Growth
Joe Kawkabani, the CEO of OSN Group, a Dubai-based streaming and entertainment company, has stepped down from his role after three years at the helm. Kawkabani joined OSN in April 2022 and left in July 2025 [1][3][4].
His departure comes at a pivotal moment for OSN, as the company continues to build on strategic partnerships, technology-led advertising solutions, and its evolving content strategy. Kawkabani's tenure saw OSN undergo a broad strategic overhaul, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Anghami, the regional music streaming platform [2].
In May, OSN became the first in the region to launch addressable advertising across satellite and video-on-demand services via a partnership with ad-tech firm Magnite. This move is expected to enhance the company's advertising capabilities [5].
Global media giant Warner Bros. Discovery invested $57 million for a one-third stake in OSN Streaming, a move that reinforces OSN's position in the regional streaming market [6]. The investment also underscores a focus on content localisation, co-production, and strategic expansion. Kawkabani emphasised the importance of knowledge transfer and building high-quality local originals with the Warner Bros. deal [10].
OSN positions itself as an exporter of premium Arabic originals to complement its role as the region's exclusive distributor of HBO content [9]. The merged platform OSN+ and Anghami serves more than 120 million registered users [2].
The investment by Warner Bros. Discovery is pending regulatory approvals. Kipco, OSN's parent company, has not yet announced a successor [7]. Our website has reached out to Kipco for a comment regarding the successor.
In his LinkedIn announcement, Kawkabani called his tenure "an incredible journey". He previously stated that the Warner Bros. deal was "strategic, not financial" [8]. Mr. Kawkabani declined to comment beyond his LinkedIn announcement.
The OSN Chairperson, Sheikha Dana Naser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, expressed appreciation for Kawkabani’s leadership and stated that the company remains fully committed to its strategic priorities and growth [1]. However, as of now, no official replacement has been named, and the CEO position remains vacant.
[1] Khaleej Times [2] Arabian Business [3] Gulf Business [4] Zawya [5] Campaign Middle East [6] Variety [7] Khaleej Times [8] Arabian Business [9] Gulf Business [10] Variety
- Amidst the strategic growth and expansion of OSN Group, news regarding the departure of its CEO, Joe Kawkabani, has surfaced.
- During his tenure, Kawkabani led OSN in making significant strides, including a technology-driven partnership with Magnite for addressable advertising and a strategic investment by Warner Bros. Discovery.
- As OSN continues to focus on content localisation, co-production, and strategic expansion, the question of a new CEO emerges, with Kipco yet to announce a successor.
- Despite Kawkabani's departure, OSN remains committed to its strategic priorities, such as exporting premium Arabic originals and maintaining its exclusive distribution rights for HBO content.
