A guide to Dubai Media City

Launched in January 2001, Dubai Media City was built with the aim to have an integrated media hub in Dubai. The goal was to have a stimulating, creative space which would put Dubai on the global media map. Today, MyBayut brings you more information about what makes this area lucrative, including its history, what attracts investors to it, things to do here, the media outlets it has and places to visit in Dubai Media City.

About Dubai Media City

Owned by Dubai Holding, DMC was built with the aim to establish Dubai’s foothold in the media industry. It is home to some of the most prominent broadcasting, production, advertising, online media, publishing and news agencies in the Arabian Gulf as well as the rest of the world. The inclusion of DMC in an international media network has given Dubai the required media exposure. The International Cricket Council (ICC) which governs cricket around the world is also headquartered in Dubai Media City.

What attracts investors to Dubai Media City?

Dubai Media City is basically one of the many tax-free zones to encourage the growth of different types of businesses. What makes this area appealing to investors is the fact that it is a free zone in Dubai. This means it has its own authority – an independent body, Free Zone Authority (FZA) – that grants tax incentives to foreign investors. DMC falls under Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCCA), formerly known as Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone (DTMFZ). While onshore companies in Dubai pay corporate taxes dependent on their respective industries, companies in DMC are exempted. Dubai Media City companies enjoy these tax incentives:

• No corporate or personal tax for 50 years (licensees can get this exemption renewed)
• Repatriated profit is not taxed
• No customs tax on imported goods
• Repatriated capital is not taxed

Foreign investors enjoy full ownership in Dubai Media City companies. However, since some investors were facing tax issues in their home countries on repatriated capital and profits, the UAE signed a number of double-taxation deals that allow exemptions to investors from the USA, UK and other countries.

Corporate Segments in Dubai Media City

A wide range of corporate segments currently operates in Dubai Media City. These include news and information agencies, multimedia software firms, website design firms, media broadcasters, film and production, printing and publishing, marketing and digital media companies. This has not only given a boost to the economy but has also created a lot of career opportunities at Dubai Media City. The basic framework for infrastructure had already been laid down (including fibre optic cables) to further relax the company setup procedure. Operational and visa procedures have also been relaxed for companies in DMC.

Other Activities at Dubai Media City

There is a lot happening in this neighbourhood! From Dubai Media City events to eateries, hotels and theatre, you can never run short of things to do in Dubai Media City.

Dubai Media City Amphitheatre

A popular outdoor venue for both local and international concerts, the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre can accommodate up to 15,000 people per sitting. It is famous as one of the best venues for outdoor concerts. The amphitheatre has also previously hosted John Legend, Ed Sheeran, Lionel Richie, The Stone Roses and JLo. The annual Emirates Airline Jazz Festival was recently hosted here for three nights in March.

Besides concerts, this amphitheatre also hosts exhibitions, award shows and gourmet festivals. DMC Amphitheatre is located near Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. If you plan a visit to it, make sure you make it an evening visit to experience the magic under the stars.

Cafés and Eateries

Feeling hungry while in Dubai Media City? Worry not as there are a number of eateries and cafés in Dubai Media City. There is Urban Bistro on Al Sufouh Road, with an outdoor terrace where you can lunch or have snacks, in addition to a café and deli.

If you are in the mood to have Italian food, Certo Italian Restaurant in Radisson Blu Hotel is walking distance from Urban Bistro. People who love Thai food can drive to Little Bangkok, Urban Thai Cuisine in Business Central Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Dubai Media City Events

• On Saturday, March 23, the eve of Global Teacher Prize ceremony, Little Mix, Liam Payne and Rita Ora performed a gig named ‘The Assembly’ to thank teachers around the world.
• On Tuesday, March 26, entrepreneur Heather Henyon will discuss women’s contribution to the global work world in an event hosted by Startup Grind.
• Egyptian vocalist Amr Diab will perform live in the Amphitheatre on Thursday, March 28.

Dubai Media City Hotels

If you are vacationing in Dubai Media City, you’ll be looking for places to stay in. There are a lot of hotels in this area to keep you covered:

• There is Media One Hotel, a 4-star hotel located 10 kilometres away from Mall of the Emirates. It has an outdoor pool, steam and sauna rooms, a terrace, a rooftop bar and a Mediterranean restaurant.
• The 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel offers modern lounging and has two pools and a spa. It is two kilometres away from Dubai Marina and has a number of dining areas, including a poolside terrace and an Italian restaurant. The hotel also offers you access to a private beach club.
• If you’d rather stay at a 5-star hotel, try Arjaan by Rotana. Located seven kilometres from Burj Al Arab, it has three eateries, a pool and a 24/7 restaurant. Arjaan also has a gym and an Arabian atrium.

Leading Media Outlets at Dubai Media City

A number of leading international media channels including CNBC, CNN, BBC, MBC, Reuters, Channel One, Showtime and OSN have offices here. In addition to these, several famous magazines including Laylina and Siddi also have offices in Dubai Media City.

The Dubai Media City license fee depends on what kind of license is being acquired to open up a company. To register in DMC, a licensee can acquire either of these types of licenses:

• Web design
• Publishing
• News Agency
• Music and entertainment
• Media and marketing services
• Film Distribution or management
• TV or radio broadcasting

Facts & Figures

Since it was built, the area has attracted over 1,500 companies with 25,000 employees working in more than 2,000 international and local companies. These employees come from142 different nationalities, bringing diversity and cultural richness to the region.

Transport & Commute

Media professionals working in DMC need daily commute if they are living and working in the area. For those using public transport to Dubai Media City nearest metro stations include Nakheel, situated between Emirates Golf Club and DMC on Sheikh Zayed Road. Then there is another metro station as well as a bus station in Dubai Internet City. People also travel via taxis and trams here.

For Contact and Inquiries

• Call: +971-4-391-4555
• Email: info@dmc.ae
• Dubai Media City Direction: Dubai Media City location is alongside Dubai Internet City. If you approach from Barsha Heights, you can take Abdullah Omran Taryam Street and Al Falak Street. From the Jumeirah side, Sheikh Zayed Road is the best route to reach DMC.

DMC is not just attractive to investors, as is evident by the presence of amphitheatre, eateries and hotels there. Investors can consider renting an office in Dubai Media City.

People working in the area can also choose to rent apartments in Dubai Media City. There are however a limited number of properties available in the area, but DMC employees can easily also look at Dubai Marina or Barsha Heights for other residential areas with access to this free zone development. 

If you are looking at other popular areas to open up offices in Dubai, you can look into these top 5 most searched-for locations.