Abdulrahman Abu Malih resigns as CEO of Thmanyah, retains 25% stake
Saudi broadcaster Abdulrahman Abu Malih has resigned as CEO of Thmanyah but will remain a 25% partner, saying he supports the company’s future and content plans.
Abdulrahman Abu Malih, the Saudi media personality and founder of Thmanyah, announced his resignation as the company’s chief executive while confirming he will retain a 25% share in the business. He denied reports of any dispute with the Saudi Research and Media Group, which holds roughly 75% of the firm, and said he would assist with the leadership handover. Abu Malih expressed confidence in Thmanyah’s creative team and reaffirmed the company’s strategic goal to produce Saudi and Arabic content.
Abu Malih announces resignation as chief executive
Abu Malih posted the announcement on the social platform X, stating that he was stepping down from the CEO role but remaining a shareholder and adviser. He framed the move as a formal transfer of executive leadership rather than a break with the company he founded. In his message he thanked the team and emphasized belief in the plans they had laid out to build Saudi and Arabic content that he said represents their vision.
The statement was delivered directly to followers and stakeholders and sought to address circulating media reports of internal tensions. Abu Malih explicitly rejected the notion of a dispute with the majority shareholder and positioned his departure as part of an orderly transition.
Shareholding structure and relationship with Saudi Research and Media Group
Thmanyah’s majority ownership by the Saudi Research and Media Group gives the group approximately three-quarters of the company’s equity. Abu Malih confirmed his 25% stake in the business, signalling he remains financially and strategically tied to the venture. That ownership split places operational control with the majority investor while keeping the founder engaged as a meaningful minority partner.
Abu Malih’s public assurance that there were no disagreements aimed to clarify the company’s governance picture. By stressing collaboration with the group and continuity of the company’s strategy, he sought to reassure partners, advertisers and creative staff about stability during the leadership change.
Transition timetable and advisory commitments
In his post, Abu Malih said he would remain available to support a handover over the coming two months and would continue to offer advice afterwards if needed. He described the departure as relinquishing the CEO title while keeping a long-term stake and a willingness to consult, signalling a phased rather than abrupt exit. That approach is intended to reduce operational disruption and give the board time to identify or install a successor.
The founder’s pledge to assist with the transition addresses a common concern in media startups when leadership shifts occur. It also provides space for the board and majority shareholder to execute a structured search or internal promotion with the benefit of Abu Malih’s ongoing institutional knowledge.
Editorial plans and content strategy going forward
Abu Malih reiterated the company’s editorial objective to create Saudi and Arabic content that reflects the team’s identity and creative ambitions. He underlined confidence in Thmanyah’s editorial staff and production teams and affirmed existing plans to expand the company’s content slate. That continuity in strategy suggests management changes are expected to be operational rather than a reset of editorial priorities.
Maintaining the established content roadmap could be important for commercial partners and distribution deals, which often hinge on predictable programming and audience development. Abu Malih’s emphasis on the creative team and planned initiatives signals a focus on execution rather than radical repositioning.
Implications for the Saudi media sector and next steps
The founder’s step back from daily management while retaining ownership follows a pattern seen in regional media ventures where founders transition to minority roles as companies scale. For the Saudi media sector, Thmanyah’s leadership change will be watched for its impact on content partnerships, talent retention and investor confidence. The involvement of a major media investor alongside an active founder is likely to shape how the company approaches growth and monetisation.
Observers may expect a formal appointment process or announcement of an interim executive in the near term, and the company’s stakeholders will likely seek clarity on operational leadership and commercial priorities. Abu Malih’s public reassurance and ongoing stake could smooth that process, but the market will assess how quickly new leadership is established and whether the editorial roadmap remains on course.
Abu Malih’s resignation marks a notable shift for Thmanyah but leaves the founder tied to the company’s future through his ownership and advisory role. Industry watchers and partners will now focus on the succession process and how new management balances the company’s creative ambitions with commercial and investor expectations.