Dubai Public Relations Council Reveals Arab Media Forecast Report in Response to Changing Regional Media Landscape
Dubai, UAE - The Arab Media Outlook - Future Vision report, unveiled at the Arab Media Summit 2025 in Dubai, offers a comprehensive analysis of the transforming media landscape in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The data-driven study, developed in partnership with Dubai Media City and Strategy&, provides a strategic roadmap for policymakers, investors, and innovators navigating a media sector reshaped by digital disruption and evolving audience behavior.
The report spans five crucial segments—video, audio, publishing, advertising, and gaming—and forecasts the MENA media market to grow from $17 billion in 2024 to $20.6 billion by 2028. Advertising remains the region's largest media subsegment, while digital-first formats are rapidly gaining traction. Internet advertising is projected to grow at 7.2% annually, with gaming close behind at 4.4%.
Growing trends include OTT video and music streaming, podcasting, and esports, serving as new growth engines in the burgeoning digital media landscape. The report underlines the key role of artificial intelligence (AI) across the media value chain and emphasizes the importance of updated regulation, talent development, and access to funding in fostering sustainable growth.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, President of the Dubai Press Club, underscored the report's significance. As Dubai positions itself as a global creative hub, the report aligns with the objectives of Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to a future-ready media landscape.
The report highlights the ambition to elevate the role of Arab media not just regionally but also on the global stage, aiming for greater influence and international reach. The MENA media industry is increasingly shaped by digital platforms, social media, and innovative approaches to content creation and audience engagement, focusing on young professionals and demographic preferences in the region.
With strategic partnerships and increased collaboration expected between media organizations, tech companies, and content creators, the report paints an optimistic picture for the future of the MENA media industry. The transformation driven by technology, youth, and innovation is expected to lead to robust growth, global outreach, and increased influence for Arab media.
- The report, developed through collaboration with Dubai Media City and Strategy&, delineates the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainable growth within the MENA media industry, a vital component of the region's transforming economy.
- As the MENA media landscape continues its digital evolution, business opportunities in emerging sectors such as OTT video and music streaming, podcasting, and esports are anticipated to drive growth, strategically aligning with Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy.
- In the future, the expansion of digital media in the MENA region—propelled by technology, youth, and innovation—is expected to pave the way for robust growth, global outreach, and increased influence for Arab media on a global scale, underscoring the industry's ambitious aspirations for international recognition and influence.
