Dubai Media City Celebrates 25 Years as Global Media Hub

Dubai Media City, the Middle East’s leading hub for media and content creation, is celebrating its 25th anniversary of driving innovation and growth in the creative industries.

Part of TECOM Group’s 10 business districts, Dubai Media City has helped transform Dubai into a global media hub and a top destination for talent, investment, and innovation. Launched to establish Dubai as a multi-dimensional Arab media capital, the district provides state-of-the-art infrastructure and a nurturing ecosystem to support industry growth.

Dubai Media City laid the foundation for TECOM Group’s Media Cluster, which also includes Dubai Production City and Dubai Studio City. Together, the cluster supports over 40,000 creative professionals and houses more than 60% of Fortune 500 media companies. It hosts TV and radio networks, social media platforms, and content creators producing in languages such as Arabic, English, German, Hindi, Chinese, and Tagalog.

Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City, Dubai Production City, and Dubai Studio City, said, “Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Media City has attracted global media leaders for over 25 years, strengthening the nation’s knowledge and innovation-based economy.”

Empowering Content Creation

Dubai Media City has attracted global media giants like CNN, Discovery Networks, WPP, and Publicis Groupe, along with leading regional players such as ITP Media Group and OSN Group. The district has also helped Dubai earn recognition as the Capital of Arab Media in 2020 and 2021.

In 2024, Dubai was the top destination globally for Greenfield FDI in cultural and creative industries for the third consecutive year. The city attracted 971 projects, bringing AED 18.86 billion in investment and creating 23,517 new jobs.

Empowering Talent

The district supports talent initiatives like the Emirati Media Talent Pledge and hosts the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism’s InstaBlock Lab to protect intellectual property. Dubai Media City also engages professionals through events like Creative Brunch and partners with Dubai Lynx, MENA’s leading creative platform.

Empowering Innovation

Dubai Media City nurtures start-ups through in5 Media, part of Dubai’s leading incubator in5. Since 2013, in5 has supported over 1,100 start-ups, raising AED 9 billion in funding. The incubator provides creative spaces, training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Additionally, D/Quarters, a co-working platform in Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City, supports freelancers and companies with high-tech, flexible workspaces.

Dubai Media City continues to lead as part of TECOM Group’s 10 specialized business districts, driving Dubai’s creative economy and solidifying its position as a global media hub.