The UAE's rise as MENA's media tech hub: Streaming starts here

The UAE is fast becoming one of the most advanced streaming markets in the world, not only in terms of content consumption, but also as a regional headquarters for innovation, infrastructure, and investment in the over-the-top (OTT) media space.

As demand for on-demand entertainment continues to grow across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the UAE stands out for the depth and maturity of its digital ecosystem. High-speed connectivity, aggressive cloud adoption, AI-powered platforms, and supportive government regulation have converged to make the country a launchpad for global and regional streaming services alike.

The UAE boasts some of the highest internet penetration and mobile connectivity rates in the world. According to Speedtest Global Index, the UAE ranked second globally for mobile internet speed in 2024, with average download speeds exceeding 300 Mbps, this is a critical enabler for seamless streaming on mobile.

The widespread rollout of 5G networks by operators such as Etisalat by e& and du has significantly improved bandwidth and latency, allowing high-definition and even 4K streaming with minimal buffering. Combined with a robust fibre-optic network and nearly 100% urban internet coverage, this infrastructure enables both users and content platforms to operate without the constraints often seen in emerging markets.

OTT platforms in the UAE have increasingly embraced cloud-native infrastructure to handle growth and deliver dynamic user experiences. Shahid, Starzplay, and OSN+ have all migrated major components of their platforms to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, enabling them to scale instantly, reduce operational costs, and personalise content delivery.

Cloud platforms also support rapid experimentation. Whether through real-time analytics, A/B testing of user interfaces, or automated transcoding for different devices and regions. With 63% of MENA viewers now accessing streaming content through mobile, according to PwC, optimising user experience across screen sizes and operating systems is essential.

AI is emerging as a cornerstone of the region’s streaming infrastructure. In the UAE, AI is being deployed across the content lifecycle.  This can be seen from automation of subtitling and translation to enhancing recommendation engines and analysing real-time viewer data.

For example, Shahid’s AI recommendation engine reportedly increased average view time per session by 35% after its implementation. Similarly, Starzplay has used AI to localise Western content into Arabic with high accuracy, making international shows more accessible to local audiences at scale.

Natural language processing and synthetic voice generation are also improving multilingual access, a major factor in a market as linguistically diverse as the UAE. With over 200 nationalities residing in the country, and Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, and Tagalog among the most spoken languages, localising content efficiently is an important competitive differentiator.

As the industry matures, regional platforms are not only adopting global tools, they are also building original content strategies that resonate with local tastes. Shahid’s slate of Arabic originals continues to expand, while Starzplay launched Starzplay Sports in 2023, tapping into the region’s passion for football, MMA, and cricket.

The growing demand for locally produced content is reflected in investment figures: according to Statista, the MENA OTT market is projected to surpass $4 billion by 2027, with the UAE accounting for a significant share of that growth due to its production capabilities, investor confidence, and digital maturity.

The UAE government has taken a forward-looking approach to media regulation and investment. Zones such as twofour54 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Media City offer production incentives, licensing support, and access to state-of-the-art studios, attracting both startups and established media companies.

Regulatory bodies like the Media Regulatory Office and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) are also preparing the ground for next-generation media monetisation.  This vision includes technologies such as NFTs, blockchain-enabled content rights and direct-to-audience subscription models.

Furthermore, the introduction of Golden Visas for creative professionals is helping retain and attract global talent, bolstering the country’s ambition to become a cultural as well as a technological leader in the sector.

A clearly noticeable trend is the blurring line between social media and streaming. In the UAE, short-form platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are acting as feeder systems for longer-form streaming content. Influencers and content creators are increasingly signing deals with OTT platforms or launching their own production studios.

This creator-led evolution is supported by digital payment infrastructure, cloud-based editing tools, and real-time analytics.

While countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt will continue to grow as content production markets, the UAE remains the technological backbone of MENA’s streaming future. Its combination of infrastructure, cloud capabilities, regulatory agility, and international accessibility makes it uniquely positioned to host the next generation of media platforms.

Chris Redmond is a global Tech Executive who is now an entrepreneur in the media tech space. Chris has pioneered the industry community approach to business over the last 5 years with a community of people spanning 1,300 companies in 65 countries.