The rise of online video creation is one of the year’s biggest stories in the Middle East. With the region boasting 300 million views on YouTube daily, the second highest of any region worldwide, it’s easier today than it’s ever been for video producers to create high-quality content, and monetize it online.

We took a look at some of the leading content producers in Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, and how they are figuring out viable long-term revenue models while creating an industry that didn’t exist 5 years ago. In Jordan, we chat with multichannel entertainment company Kharabeesh and cooking tutorial channel Zaytouneh. In Saudi Arabia, which alone accounts for 190 million YouTube views a day- almost 7 daily views per person-  we ask UTURN Entertainment and Lumink about their revenue streams and relationship to traditional media. Finally, in Egypt, we reveal the evolution of online video comedy channel Disalata.

Each of these companies share with us how they have built a foundation for the online video industry in the region and create new breakout stars who have become celebrities both online and offline.