Dubai, UAE — Dubai has rolled out Dubai+ digital media platform, a new free streaming service built around family-friendly content and local storytelling. The move, announced during the Dubai Media Council 2026 meeting chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, is part of a broader Dubai media strategy for 2026 to deepen the emirate’s digital media ecosystem and boost the creative economy.
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Dubai Media Council 2026 meeting sets strategic tone
At the Council’s first gathering of the year, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed — chairing the session — set out priorities that go beyond launches and headlines. Officials talked about strengthening local production, attracting international partners, and polishing Dubai’s profile as a regional media hub. The meeting made clear that Dubai+ is not just another platform but a central plank in an integrated digital media ecosystem that Dubai plans to build.
Dubai+ aims squarely at family-friendly streaming and local stories
Dubai+ debuts as a free, family-focused service offering roughly 30,000 hours of content, from Emirati dramas to international series and films. It bundles on-demand titles with live streams for select sports and cultural events, aiming to meet how households in the UAE now watch TV — on their own schedule.
A local first approach with global reach
The platform leans into regional identity without shutting out international viewers. Think Emirati and Arab narratives up front, with global titles to broaden appeal. That balance is deliberate: officials want a service that reflects local culture while still attracting a wide audience.
Film and creative economy gains attention in council plan
Discussion at the meeting also turned to the film sector and creative economy. Plans include talent development, industry partnerships, and incentives to keep production activity in Dubai. The message was practical — invest in people and infrastructure, and the content will follow. This is the sort of long game that can pay dividends if execution matches the rhetoric.
What this launch means for the media in Dubai
Dubai+ signals a shift: the emirate wants domestic platforms to sit alongside international streamers, not beneath them. For viewers, it promises easier access to family-appropriate programming. For creators, it promises another outlet and, possibly, more commissioning dollars. And for regulators and policymakers, it’s an experiment in shaping digital consumption trends in the UAE 2026.
