What streaming works in UAE — 2026 availability list

Updated 2026-04-24

TL;DR

UAE's streaming is relatively open. Netflix MENA, Disney+ MENA, Prime Video, and Apple TV+ all run normally. Shahid VIP (MBC, Saudi group) is the Arabic core. OSN+ (premium Middle East SVOD) and StarzPlay are also active. But UAE's VoIP restrictions exceed Saudi's: Skype is fully banned, WhatsApp/FaceTime/Messenger calls are blocked, Telegram is selectively blocked. Locals use Botim (the telco-licensed VoIP app) or Talabat-integrated calling. Spotify and Anghami both work — Anghami is headquartered in Abu Dhabi. BBC iPlayer unavailable. AI tools widely available; UAE government is very pro-AI.

✓ Available

netflix

Netflix MENA, UAE edition

disneyplus

Disney+ MENA, launched 2022

primevideo

Prime Video UAE

appletv

Apple TV+ full service

mbc

Shahid VIP, Arabic drama core

starz

StarzPlay, MENA-licensed operation

Plus fully works; UAE pushes AI hard

claude

Anthropic Pro works

gemini

Google AI Advanced available

tiktok

Major MENA market, moderate moderation

Full service

instagram

Full service

✗ Not available / Restricted

VoIP calls blocked; text still works

messenger

VoIP calls blocked

Selective block, intermittent

discord

VoIP restricted, text partial

hulu

US-only

bbciplayer

UK-only

tving

Korea-only

grindr

UAE bans LGBT apps

Tips

VPN legal status in UAE is gray: a 2016 law bans VPN use for 'criminal activity', but daily use (streaming / VoIP) is common but theoretically fineable. Du/Etisalat actively block OpenVPN/WireGuard signatures — obfuscated protocols (V2Ray/Trojan/Shadowsocks) are needed for stability. If VPNing into UAE for Shahid/OSN+: OSN+ signup requires UAE or GCC phone numbers. Prefer Dubai or Abu Dhabi nodes with Du/Etisalat residential IPs, but residential UAE IPs are rare on international VPN networks. The most common local VoIP alternative is Botim (telco-paid licensed VoIP, legal); not recommended for overseas users.