Elie Habib, the co-founder of Anghami and now the driving force behind both Anghami and OSN+, recently shared a captivating blog post detailing the extraordinary journey of rebuilding the OSN+ video streaming platform in a mere 120 days. This incredible feat of engineering and determination showcases the immense talent and innovation thriving in the Middle East’s tech industry.
A Bold Decision and Skeptical Whispers
Habib recounts the audacious decision made on November 21, 2023, following the Anghami-OSN merger: to rebuild the OSN+ platform from the ground up. The goal was ambitious – to have the new platform ready for launch in time for the premiere of House of the Dragon season 2. Industry experts were skeptical, questioning whether such a massive undertaking could be accomplished within such a tight timeframe.
Leveraging Past Experiences and Expertise
Habib’s team, armed with a decade of experience building Anghami, was undeterred. They leveraged the existing Anghami platform’s strengths, including authentication systems, analytics infrastructure, cloud architecture, and billing mechanisms. However, they soon realized that long-form video streaming presented a whole new set of challenges, from content complexity and device diversity to ensuring a seamless transition for existing users.
A Race Against Time
With the clock ticking, the team of 50 engineers divided into specialized groups, each tackling a specific aspect of the platform’s development. They worked tirelessly, sacrificing weekends and holidays, driven by the belief in their abilities and the desire to prove the skeptics wrong.
Overcoming Obstacles and Launching the New Platform
On April 1, 2024, the merger received final regulatory approval, and the very next day, the new OSN+ platform was rolled out. Despite initial limitations, such as the absence of an Apple TV app and support for older Samsung TVs, the platform covered over 90% of the user base. The team’s dedication didn’t waver, and within weeks, they had developed the missing apps and expanded device compatibility. By early June, premium 4K and Dolby Atmos offerings were launched, just in time for the House of the Dragon season 2 premiere.
Early Success and a Promising Future
While it’s still early days, the new OSN+ platform has already shown promising results. Users are reporting faster load times, enhanced image and sound quality, improved recommendations, and lower bandwidth consumption. The platform has also seen a 30% increase in time spent and a significant decrease in operational costs.
A Testament to Middle Eastern Innovation
Elie Habib emphasizes that this achievement is not just a technical triumph but a testament to the talent and potential of the Middle Eastern tech industry. The OSN+ team’s story is one of courage, resilience, and innovation, demonstrating that the region can compete on a global scale.
Habib encourages entrepreneurs and innovators across the Middle East to dream big, take risks, and embrace the challenges that lie ahead. The story of OSN+’s rebirth is a powerful reminder that what seems impossible today could become a reality tomorrow.
Check out the full post here.