‘Pakistan Idol’ Goes Global With Begin Streaming Deal, Including India

U.A.E.-based platform Begin has secured worldwide streaming rights to “Pakistan Idol,” expanding the South Asian music competition series beyond its local market to international territories including India.

The acquisition represents a significant move for Begin as it continues building out its South Asian content library for international audiences. The series, produced under license from Fremantle’s global “Idol” franchise, showcases emerging musical talent from across Pakistan.

The show features a star-studded judging panel including actor Fawad Khan, singer Zeb Bangash, qawwali artist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Strings musician Bilal Maqsood. 

“Pakistan Idol” currently airs Saturdays and Sundays across seven Pakistani television channels: Geo TV, PTV, Green Entertainment TV, Express Entertainment, APlus Entertainment, Aur Life, and Aan TV. While the series has been available for streaming within Pakistan, Begin’s deal marks its first global digital distribution.

The show will stream on the Begin app in the U.S., Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the U.A.E. Viewers in the U.K., Germany, India, Australia, South Africa, and Nigeria can access the series directly via begin.watch.

“The international distribution of ‘Pakistan Idol’ demonstrates how far South Asian entertainment has come in reaching global audiences,” said Zoya Merchant, director at production company MHL. “We are proud to see a format rooted in local culture and talent become accessible to viewers worldwide. This collaboration with Begin represents an important step toward integrating Pakistani creativity into the broader entertainment ecosystem.”

Jonathan Mark, co-founding CEO of Begin, said the acquisition aligns with the platform’s content strategy. “At Begin, our focus is on curating content that connects communities through shared cultural experiences,” Mark said. “‘Pakistan Idol’ embodies the kind of storytelling and talent that transcend geography. Making it available worldwide aligns with our vision of bringing authentic South Asian voices to a truly global stage.”