UAE issues new law establishing the National Media Authority, consolidating media oversight, regulation and national messaging
Media
Latest in Media
Artificial intelligence
Mickey, Darth Vader and Iron Man enter the AI age as Disney strikes deal with OpenAI
New partnership will allow fans to create short AI-generated videos featuring characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars using OpenAI’s Sora platform
Dubai
Million Dollar Listing UAE Season 2 lands on STARZPLAY as Dubai’s record property boom takes centre stage
The STARZPLAY Original premiered on Wednesday, with two new episodes released weekly
Wyclef Jean on OpenWav empowering artists to own their future
Wyclef Jean reveals how his OpenWav platform aims to empower emerging artists through ownership, community, and creative independence
acquisition
Hollywood-hungry Gulf states bankroll Paramount’s Warner Bros bid
Gulf sovereign funds rarely join forces on single takeovers
Netflix
Netflix agrees to buy Warner Bros. film and streaming assets for $72bn
Netflix cash and stock transaction valued at $27.75 per Warner Bros. Discovery share and total enterprise value is approximately $82.7bn
acquisition
Netflix in exclusive talks to buy Warner Bros. Studios and HBO – report
Streaming giant enters advanced negotiations on a blockbuster takeover of Warner Bros.’ film and TV studios and HBO Max, with a reported US$5 billion breakup fee on the table if regulators block the deal
Dubai Media City
Dubai Media City to spotlight $20.6bn MENA media boom at BRIDGE Summit 2025
MENA media market is forecast to grow to $20.6bn by 2028. Dubai Media City will highlight expansion at BRIDGE Summit 2025
mental wellbeing
TikTok introduces new Time and Well-being space
New features expand TikTok’s efforts to support mental health and balanced screen time, particularly for teens with more than 50 built-in safety and privacy protections
Dubai GDP growth
Dubai sets target to double media sector GDP contribution as Sheikh Ahmed orders digital acceleration
Dubai aims to double its media sector GDP share to 3 per cent by 2033, as Sheikh Ahmed reviews KPIs and investment plans
Sharjah Media City (Shams)
Sharjah approves major media city expansion with new studios, production facilities and cultural centre
Sharjah approves a major package of media projects, including new studios, a government media hub, and cultural and creative facilities
Daily Mail
Major shake-up in UK newspaper industry as Daily Mail agrees to buy The Telegraph
DMGT says it has signed an agreement with Redbird IMI over the acquisition of the Telegraph Media Group for US$650 million
Consultancy
Meet Boye Balogun – Nigeria’s soft-power strategist using Dubai to rewrite Africa’s global story
FutureTech’s CEO Boye Balogun is turning creativity into capital and connecting Africa to the world
Abu Dhabi
Viola Communications teams up with NIM Digital to power next-generation tech experiences in the UAE
The alliance focuses on five areas: AI-driven marketing, immersive user experiences, data-powered campaign performance, and technology-enabled client solutions
Dubai Film
Dubai hits ‘Play’ on film and gaming revolution to boost creative economy
Dubai Media Council presses start on new film and gaming committees to strengthen creative industries and boost media innovation
Creative economy
GCC’s creator economy grows 75% in two years
Qoruz report finds there are now more than 263,000 influencers active across the Gulf, with creator economy diversifying beyond lifestyle and fashion into finance, health, and entertainment
StarzPlay
STARZPLAY ranked MENA’s most positively received streaming platform
A new report by analytics firm DataEQ has named STARZPLAY the most favourably viewed streaming service in the Middle East and North Africa
