From Hollywood to Riyadh: Adapting American Entertainment Policies for Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The study, "From Hollywood to Riyadh: Adapting American Entertainment Policies for Saudi Arabia," looks at how the US entertainment industry's strategies can be transferred and implemented into the rehabilitation and strengthening of the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia, considering Vision 2030. It is a plan to reduce the dependence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on oil by developing other economic sectors and public services, including health and education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. This is about the research that discusses the economic and socio-cultural contexts of both the US and Saudi Arabian entertainment industries, thus demonstrating the main differences and identifying the areas for policy adaptation. The United States is known as a global leader in its entertainment industry, which has varied revenue sources, robust infrastructure, and is highly competitive by nature. The sector enjoys huge investments in technology and production, which have fueled innovation and continued growth. Key revenue streams include box office sales, television subscriptions, streaming services, merchandise sales, licensing deals, and advertising revenue, all contributing to a market size reach USD 660 billion. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has a nascent entertainment industry that is driven by significant government investments in the wake of recent reforms under Vision 2030. These are aimed at giving the kingdom a pulsating and highly diversified cultural milieu that should vastly improve the quality of life of its citizens and consequently make the country an attractive destination for both local and international tourists and fun seekers (Shesha & Yusuf, 2021). The market size of the entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia is bound to go up from the value of USD 211 million in 2022 and reach 541 million by 2029, representing significant growth potential and economic diversification. Other areas of study of the research will be the sustainability and long-term impacts of subsidy-driven initiatives, without which moving toward market-driven approaches that instill innovation and efficiency is indispensable. While subsidies can offer initial support, reliance on funding from the government becomes an overreliance on the same entity that can easily cause market distortions and reduce competitiveness within the very industry. Therefore, in view of building a resilient and self-sustaining entertainment industry, much importance should be attached to encouraging private-sector investment and public-private partnerships. More critically, there is a call for continuous evaluation and adaptation of policies within the ever-changing socio-economic conditions. Investment in education and training programs for the development of local talent, in particular among youth and women, would mean the success and inclusivity of the entertainment sector in the long term (Shesha & Yusuf, 2021). With the adoption of appropriate strategies, Saudi Arabia can replicate this kind of success in meeting the Vision 2030 goals, which in turn will result in a vibrant entertainment industry contributing toward economic and cultural development.