A Chat with Jonathan Mark, Founding CEO at On-Demand Streaming Service: Begin

Tell us about Begin

 

Begin is an Emirati video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. We’re delivering a sleek, ad-free, and intuitive streaming experience packed with local hits, international blockbusters, and live sports, all in one place. Our vision is simple: make premium content accessible and engaging for audiences who have been overlooked for too long.

Whether it’s the thrill of a live match, a binge-worthy drama, or a hidden gem from the Pakistani entertainment scene, Begin is the future of streaming. Bold, fresh, and built for the modern viewer.

 

Begin - Logo

 

How did you come up with the idea for the company?

 

Great ideas come from frustration. I looked at the streaming landscape and saw a problem. Too many platforms, too many ads, and too little focus on the audiences that actually matter. In Pakistan, entertainment was either outdated, overpriced, or filled with barriers like clunky UIs and unnecessary sign-ups. Sports fans were forced to jump between unreliable streams because major leagues and international platforms didn’t have official distribution partners here.

Begin was born to fix that. We built a platform that puts the audience first—seamless, ad free, and packed with the content people actually want, all in one place. What makes us unique isn’t just what we offer, but how we think. We’re not just another Streaming service. We’re breaking down barriers. Streaming should be easy, and with Begin, it finally is.

 

What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

 

Solve a real problem. Too many startups fail because they chase trends instead of fixing something that actually needs to be fixed. Find the gap, understand your audience, and build something they can’t live without.

And finally, don’t be afraid to challenge the norm. If we had listened to people who said the streaming space was too crowded or that Pakistan wasn’t ready for a premium OTT experience, Begin wouldn’t exist today. The biggest opportunities are often where others see barriers. That’s where you break through

 

What most excites you about Begin?

 

What excites me most about Begin is the impact. We’re not just another streaming service. We’re changing how Pakistan watches entertainment. Premium content and live sports are now accessible, ad-free, and effortless. The best part? Seeing fans finally enjoy their favourite shows and matches without overpriced subscriptions or unreliable streams. And this is just the start. We’re not following the industry, we’re redefining it.

 

How has the company evolved over the last couple of years?

 

Begin launched in June last year, so we’re just getting started, but the growth has been incredible. In a short time, we’ve built a seamless, ad-free platform, secured premium content, and brought official live sports streaming to Pakistan. More importantly, we’ve proven there is a massive demand for better entertainment options.

The response from users has been phenomenal, and we are evolving fast, expanding our content library, refining the experience, and setting the stage for even bigger moves. This is just the beginning

 

What can we hope to see from Begin in the future?

 

The future of Begin is bigger, bolder, and even more immersive. We are expanding our content library, securing more exclusive sports rights, and bringing international hits alongside premium local productions. Our goal is to make streaming effortless and accessible, not just in Pakistan but across new markets.

We are constantly improving the user experience, optimizing streaming quality, and making sure our platform stays ahead of the curve. This is just the start. Begin is not here to follow industry trends, we are here to set them.