Dubai Media Incorporated
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA government-owned Dubai media organization operating television, radio, publishing, news, and related media businesses.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Overview
Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) is the official media organization of the Government of Dubai and a major public-sector media group in the United Arab Emirates. Established in 2003, it brought a number of Dubai government-owned television, radio, newspaper, printing, and publishing activities under a single corporate umbrella. Its formation marked a shift away from the earlier model in which Dubai’s media outlets were managed through the Dubai Department of Media. DMI’s initial strategy emphasized television. The organization developed and repositioned channels intended to serve several distinct audiences: Dubai TV as a general Arabic-language entertainment and news service for viewers across the Arab world; Sama Dubai as a channel focused on Emirati and Gulf culture, traditions, local affairs, and youth; Dubai One as a free-to-air English- and Arabic-facing service built around international entertainment and programming for expatriate and cosmopolitan audiences; and Dubai Sports as a platform for domestic and regional sports coverage. DMI also developed specialized services such as Dubai Racing, Dubai Zaman, and Dubai Drama at different points in its history. The group’s programming model combined in-house production, commissioned programming, news operations, event coverage, and acquired content. In 2004, DMI established a news center that supplied bulletins and reporting to several of its television services. Shared news infrastructure allowed channels with different editorial and audience identities to use common reporting resources while maintaining separate programming strategies. DMI’s scope changed substantially after the creation of Arab Media Group in 2005. Radio stations and newspapers were moved into that structure, leaving DMI temporarily concentrated on television. Following the effects of the global financial crisis, Arab Media Group’s Noor Dubai television and radio services, together with print and publishing activities, were transferred or merged back into DMI in late 2009. This expanded DMI again into radio, newspapers, online news, printing, and distribution, making it a more integrated media group. The organization subsequently broadened its radio portfolio. Dubai FM was launched in 2011 using infrastructure and expertise associated with Noor Dubai, with a programming strategy aimed at Emirati youth through talk, current affairs, and music. DMI has also operated or been associated with English-language radio, including Stereo 97.3 FM, and with newspapers such as Al Bayan and Emarat Al Youm. Its publishing and print activities have included the production and distribution of newspapers and the operation of printing facilities. DMI’s television portfolio has also been adjusted over time. In 2015, the organization was temporarily branded Dubai Channels Network, and channels including Dubai Zaman and Dubai Drama were introduced under the revised structure. The former name Dubai Media Incorporated was restored in 2017. The group’s portfolio and channel line-up have continued to evolve as audience habits, satellite television competition, digital media, and Dubai’s broader development strategy have changed. DMI occupies a distinctive position in the regional media landscape. It is both a broadcaster serving domestic audiences and a vehicle for presenting Dubai’s culture, public affairs, sporting events, tourism, and economic development to wider Arab and international audiences. Unlike a purely commercial private broadcaster, it operates within the public-media ecosystem of Dubai and combines news, cultural programming, entertainment, sports, radio, newspapers, and digital publishing.
History
Before DMI existed, Dubai’s government media outlets were administered through the Dubai Department of Media. The earlier system included television channels and radio services that were launched, renamed, or closed as Dubai’s audience and communications needs changed. These outlets included Dubai TV, Dubai 33, Dubai Business Channel, Dubai 92, Dubai FM, and the Al Bayan newspaper. DMI was created in 2003 as a state-owned umbrella organization. Its establishment coincided with Dubai’s effort to develop a more coordinated and internationally visible media sector. The new organization concentrated initially on television and sought to build channels capable of serving both local audiences and the wider Arab market. Dubai TV was repositioned as a broad Arabic entertainment and news channel, while Sama Dubai was created in 2005 with a stronger emphasis on Emirati and Gulf culture, heritage, local affairs, and youth. The former Channel 33 service was replaced by One TV, later known as Dubai One, which used subtitled Western content and English- and Arabic-oriented presentation to appeal to expatriates and cosmopolitan viewers. In 2004, DMI established a centralized news center. The facility supplied news content and bulletins for several channels, including Dubai TV, Sama Dubai, Dubai One, Dubai Sports, and later other services. This shared infrastructure helped DMI operate multiple channel brands with different editorial and audience propositions. The organizational structure changed in 2005 when Arab Media Group was established within the Dubai Holding and TECOM-related media ecosystem. Radio stations and newspapers were moved under Arab Media Group, leaving DMI with a primarily television-focused portfolio. Arab Media Group later launched Noor Dubai radio and television in 2008. Noor Dubai initially combined religious and community-oriented radio programming with a television service and attracted audiences beyond Dubai through satellite distribution. The global financial crisis prompted a further restructuring. In late 2009, Noor Dubai’s television and radio operations, along with print and publishing assets, were merged or transferred into DMI. The transaction returned radio and newspapers to the DMI umbrella and expanded the organization’s capabilities in print, online news, and commercial media operations. It also brought personnel and operating experience from Arab Media Group into the consolidated group. DMI expanded its radio offering in 2011 with Dubai FM, a service oriented toward Emirati youth and built around music, discussion, and news programming. The group also maintained or developed English-language radio activity, including Stereo 97.3 FM. In print, Al Bayan remained an important Arabic newspaper associated with Dubai’s public media system, while Emarat Al Youm served as another newspaper title launched in the mid-2000s and later incorporated into DMI’s broader portfolio. Sports became another major part of DMI’s identity. Dubai Sports began in 1998, before DMI’s formation, and developed from coverage of UAE sporting events into a broader sports network. It carried local football and other competitions and obtained coverage or broadcast rights for selected regional and international events. Dubai Racing operated as a specialized service for horse racing and camel racing, including major events held in the UAE. DMI continued to adjust its television portfolio as competition from pan-Arab broadcasters and pay-TV operators intensified. Dubai One added local programs and the Emirates News bulletin while retaining an international entertainment orientation. Sama Dubai developed cultural and heritage programming, including formats associated with traditional Gulf performance. Dubai Zaman was introduced to showcase older programs and films, while Dubai Drama focused on Arabic dramatic programming before ending operations in 2016. On 23 April 2015, DMI was rebranded as Dubai Channels Network. The name change was later reversed, and on 22 May 2017 the organization resumed the Dubai Media Incorporated name. Across these changes, DMI remained part of Dubai’s public communications infrastructure, combining television, radio, news, newspapers, digital media, printing, and event-oriented coverage. Its strategic role has been to serve domestic audiences while projecting Dubai’s cultural identity, public agenda, economic development, and international profile across the Arab region.
- 2017
DMI name restored
[1]The organization reverted from Dubai Channels Network to Dubai Media Incorporated.
- 2015
Dubai Channels Network branding introduced
[1]DMI temporarily adopted the Dubai Channels Network identity and introduced services including Dubai Zaman and Dubai Drama.
- 2011
Dubai FM launched
[1]DMI introduced a radio station aimed at Emirati youth with talk, current-affairs, and music programming.
- 2009
Noor Dubai and print assets moved into DMI
[1]A restructuring brought Noor Dubai and various radio, print, publishing, and online activities under DMI.
- 2008
Noor Dubai television and radio launched
[1]Arab Media Group introduced Noor Dubai as a religious and community-oriented radio and television service.
- 2005
Sama Dubai launched
[1]Sama Dubai began broadcasting with a focus on Emirati and Gulf culture, traditions, local issues, and youth.
- 2004
Dubai News Center opened
[1]DMI created a centralized news production facility serving several of its television channels.
- 2004
Dubai One introduced
[1]One TV replaced the former Channel 33 positioning and was later known as Dubai One, targeting regional viewers and expatriates with international programming.
- 2003
Dubai Media Incorporated established
[1]The Government of Dubai created DMI as an umbrella organization for government-owned media activities.
- 1998
Dubai Sports launched
[1]Dubai Sports began broadcasting coverage of UAE sporting events before becoming part of DMI’s later television portfolio.
Products and positioning
Government-owned, multi-platform Dubai media group combining Arabic broadcasting, local news, cultural programming, sports coverage, radio, newspapers, digital publishing, and media production.
Arabic television channel · 2004
Dubai TV
DMI’s principal Arabic general-interest television service. Dubai TV combines news, locally produced entertainment, documentaries, cultural programs, religious content, and commissioned productions. Its audience extends beyond Dubai to viewers across the Arab world and international Arabic-speaking communities.
Cultural and entertainment television channel · 2005
Sama Dubai
A television service centered on Emirati and Gulf identity, heritage, traditions, local affairs, and youth. Its programming presents traditional culture in contemporary formats and has included competition and reality programming based on regional performance traditions.
International entertainment television channel · 2004
Dubai One
A free-to-air channel developed from the former Channel 33 and One TV service. It targets expatriate and pan-Arab audiences with Western and international films and series, Arabic-subtitled content, local productions, and the Emirates News bulletin.
Sports television channel · 1998
Dubai Sports
DMI’s sports broadcasting brand, covering UAE football and other domestic competitions as well as selected regional and international events. Additional feeds have been used when multiple live events take place simultaneously.
Horse and camel racing television channel
Dubai Racing
A specialized racing service covering horse racing, camel racing, related events, and supporting programs. It has been used to present major UAE racing events, including coverage associated with the Dubai World Cup.
Radio and television broadcasting · 2008
Noor Dubai
Originally launched by Arab Media Group as a community and religiously oriented radio and television service. After consolidation with DMI, the brand continued with cultural, traditional, religious, and community-oriented programming.
Radio station · 2011
Dubai FM
A radio service introduced for Emirati youth, using music, talk shows, news, and current-affairs programming. It drew on operational infrastructure associated with Noor Dubai.
Arabic newspaper · 1980
Al Bayan
A Dubai government-established Arabic newspaper reporting on local, Arab, and international affairs. The title has been associated with Dubai’s public-sector media system and later became part of DMI’s consolidated print portfolio.
Arabic newspaper · 2005
Emarat Al Youm
An Arabic newspaper launched in the mid-2000s and later associated with DMI. It was developed alongside an English-language newspaper concept and sought to reach younger newspaper readers.
Archive television channel · 2015
Dubai Zaman
A channel created to showcase older television programs and films from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s as part of DMI’s channel restructuring.
Arabic drama television channel · 2015
Dubai Drama
A television channel focused on Arabic dramatic programming. It was introduced in 2015 and ceased operations in 2016.
Brand decisions
2015
Temporary Dubai Channels Network rebrandStrategyBackground
DMI undertook a television-channel and brand restructuring.
Action taken
The organization adopted the Dubai Channels Network name and launched or organized services such as Dubai Zaman and Dubai Drama under the revised identity.
Aftermath
The organization returned to the Dubai Media Incorporated name in 2017.
2009
Integration of Arab Media Group activitiesM&ABackground
The global financial crisis and workforce reductions contributed to a restructuring of Dubai’s media holdings.
Action taken
Noor Dubai television and radio, together with various print, publishing, and online media assets, were merged or transferred into DMI.
Aftermath
DMI regained a broad multi-platform footprint spanning television, radio, newspapers, digital media, printing, and distribution.
2003
Consolidation of Dubai government media assetsStrategyBackground
Dubai’s government-owned media activities had previously been managed through the Dubai Department of Media.
Action taken
The government established DMI as an umbrella organization covering television, radio, print, publishing, and related media operations.
Aftermath
The structure enabled a more coordinated television-led media strategy and supported Dubai’s regional and international communications ambitions.
Recent events
- 2017
Dubai Channels Network name reverted to Dubai Media Incorporated[1]
Other
The organization restored its Dubai Media Incorporated name after the interim Dubai Channels Network branding.
- 2015
DMI rebranded as Dubai Channels Network[1]
Other
Dubai Media Incorporated adopted the Dubai Channels Network name as part of a television-channel restructuring and branding change.
- 2011
Dubai FM launched[1]
Product launch
DMI launched Dubai FM as a youth-oriented Emirati radio service featuring talk, news, and music programming.
- 2009
Arab Media Group and DMI media assets consolidated[1]
M&A
After the financial downturn, Noor Dubai and a number of radio, print, and publishing activities associated with Arab Media Group were merged or transferred into DMI.
- 2004
DMI opened a dedicated news center[1]
Other
The Dubai News Center was established to produce and coordinate news bulletins for multiple DMI television services.
- 2003
Dubai Media Incorporated established as Dubai government media organization[1]
Other
Dubai consolidated a number of government-owned television, radio, print, and related media activities under the newly established Dubai Media Incorporated.
Sources1 sources
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