Abu Dhabi Media Company

What Abu Dhabi Media Company does

Abu Dhabi Media Company is a government-owned media conglomerate headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, founded in 1969 under the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It operates 21 distinct media platforms organized around six strategic content pillars: UAE affairs, children, news, entertainment, sports, and education/knowledge. The portfolio spans 7 television channels (including Abu Dhabi Channel, Emirates, Abu Dhabi Sports, Yas, Majid, National Geographic Abu Dhabi, and Baynounah), 8 radio stations broadcasting in Arabic, English, and Hindi (Quran Radio, Emarat FM, Abu Dhabi Radio, Star FM, Abu Dhabi Classic FM, Kadak FM, Radio 1, Radio 2), 3 print magazines (Zahrat Al Khaleej, Majid, National Geographic Arabic), and a digital/app presence accessible across iOS, Android, Apple TV, Samsung TV, and LG platforms. The company also owns a wholly-owned production subsidiary, LIVE, which provides television production services to broadcasters and production institutions across the UAE and MENA.

The company's core technology is the ADMN (Abu Dhabi Media Network) digital platform, a unified streaming aggregator offering live TV, video-on-demand, and podcast services. In November 2025, ADM entered a flagship partnership with STARZPLAY granting exclusive distribution of its 5,000+ hour Arabic content catalogue on STARZPLAY's ad-supported tier, reaching 2.6 million subscribers across MENA. The ADMN app is embedded within the STARZPLAY application, making STARZPLAY the primary digital distribution vehicle rather than a standalone OTT build.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: advertising on broadcast and digital platforms, content licensing and distribution fees (notably the STARZPLAY deal), subscription and freemium revenue through ADMN/STARZPLAY, and print magazine subscriptions. The company is wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi government with no disclosed private equity or venture capital ownership, and plays a central role in promoting UAE strategic orientations. No AI/ML capabilities, patents, certifications, or external funding rounds are disclosed in the source data.

Name

Abu Dhabi Media Company

Legal name

شركة أبوظبي للإعلام (Abu Dhabi Media Company)

Website

https://admedia.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Abu Dhabi Media Company is a government-owned UAE media conglomerate operating 21 platforms across TV, radio, print, and digital, serving Arabic-speaking audiences in MENA with entertainment, news, sports, and cultural programming distributed via its ADMN streaming platform and the STARZPLAY partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Media

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

International TV Broadcasters (Free-to-Air/Satellite/Cable) (MPABAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distribution Feeds & Syndication (Partner Delivery, APIs, Feeds) (MPAHALAJ), International TV Program Distribution (Sales/Output Deals) (MPABAMAD)

Keywords

• Broadcast television
• Digital streaming
• Radio broadcasting
• Print publishing
• Media content production

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Traditional broadcast and digital advertising across the company's extensive network of TV channels, radio stations, and digital platforms.
2. Content Licensing / Distribution Fees: ADM licenses its catalogue of 5,000+ hours of Arabic entertainment, sports, and cultural programming to STARZPLAY in exchange for exclusive distribution rights on the platform's ad-supported tier, generating distribution and licensing fees.
3. Subscription Revenue via Platform Partners: Revenue generated through the ADMN platform accessible via STARZPLAY subscription, providing live TV, video-on-demand, and podcast services to subscribers.
4. Digital and Streaming Services: Free and subscription-based digital content services through the ADMN app and website, including live streaming, on-demand content, and podcasts across multiple device platforms.
5. Print Publication Revenue: Revenue from print magazines including Zahrat Al Khaleej, Majid, and National Geographic Arabic Magazine, distributed through newsstands and subscriptions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Abu Dhabi Media Company produces, curates, and distributes Arabic-language entertainment, news, sports, cultural, and educational content through 21 owned media platforms spanning linear television (7 channels), radio (8 stations), print (3 magazines), and digital streaming (ADMN platform delivered via STARZPLAY). Revenue is generated through advertising sales, content licensing, subscriptions, and print sales to Arabic-speaking audiences across the UAE, MENA region, and global Arab diaspora.

Product overview

Abu Dhabi Media Company operates a portfolio of 21 media platforms across digital, television, radio, and print channels, organized around six strategic pillars: Emirati affairs, children, news, entertainment, sports, and education/knowledge. The core digital offering is ADMN (Abu Dhabi Media Network), a streaming platform accessible via Starzplay that delivers live TV, on-demand content, and podcasts. This digital platform connects Abu Dhabi's television channels (Abu Dhabi Channel, Emirates Channel, Abu Dhabi Sports, Yas, Majid, National Geographic Abu Dhabi, Baynounah), radio stations (Emarat FM, Abu Dhabi Radio, Star FM, Abu Dhabi Classic FM, Kadak FM, Radio 1, Radio 2, Quran Radio), and print publications (Zahrat Al Khaleej, Majid Magazine, National Geographic Arabic) to audiences across multiple distribution channels including smart TVs, mobile apps, and streaming platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Emirates (الاتحاد): Unified news center providing local and global news content in multiple languages with professionalism and high accuracy
• Aletihad (الاتحاد - English)
• Abu Dhabi TV Channel (قناة أبوظبي)
• Emirates TV Channel (قناة الإمارات)
• Abu Dhabi Sports (أبوظبي الرياضية)
• Yas Channel (ياس)
• Majid Kids Channel (قناة ماجد)
• National Geographic Abu Dhabi (ناشيونال جيوغرافيك أبوظبي)
• Baynounah TV (قناة بينونة)
• Zahrat Al Khaleej Magazine (زهرة الخليج)
• Majid Magazine (مجلة ماجد)
• National Geographic Arabic Magazine (مجلة ناشيونال جيوغرافيك العربية)
• AD Quran Radio (إذاعة القرآن الكريم)
• Emarat FM (إمارات أف أم)
• Abu Dhabi Radio (إذاعة أبوظبي)
• Star FM (ستار أف أم)
• Abu Dhabi Classic FM (أبوظبي كلاسيك أف أم)
• Kadak FM
• Radio 1 (راديو 1)
• Radio 2 (راديو 2)
• ADTV App (adtv-app)

Products and services

• ADMN (Abu Dhabi Media Network) Digital Streaming Platform A digital streaming platform delivering live TV broadcasts, video-on-demand, and podcasts from Abu Dhabi Media's portfolio of channels and programs, accessible via the STARZPLAY app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Samsung TV, and LG, targeting Arabic-speaking audiences in MENA.
• Abu Dhabi TV Channel (قناة أبوظبي) Comprehensive entertainment television channel established in 1969, strengthening national identity and cultural heritage through diverse high-quality programming targeting Arab families across the Middle East and North Africa via broadcast, cable, and satellite.
• Emirates TV Channel (قناة الإمارات) Television channel offering diverse dramatic, talk, entertainment, cultural, and social programs targeting Arabic-speaking youth and family audiences across MENA via linear broadcast.
• Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (أبوظبي الرياضية) Sports television channel covering regional and international sporting events and sports-related programming for Arabic-speaking audiences in MENA.
• Yas Channel (ياس) Television channel offering sports and entertainment programming to Arabic-speaking audiences in the MENA region.
• Majid Kids Channel (قناة ماجد) Children's television channel providing entertainment and educational Arabic-language content for young viewers in MENA markets.
• National Geographic Abu Dhabi (ناشيونال جيوغرافيك أبوظبي) Arabic-language documentary and knowledge-based television channel licensed under the National Geographic brand, providing factual and educational programming for MENA audiences.
• Baynounah Channel (قناة بينونة) Television channel providing diverse drama and entertainment programming to Arabic-speaking audiences in the MENA region.
• Aletihad (الاتحاد) Unified multi-language news center providing integrated local and global news content in Arabic and English with high professionalism and accuracy, aligned with the UAE's developmental trajectory.
• Abu Dhabi Radio Network (8 Radio Stations) Network of eight radio stations broadcasting in Arabic, English, and Hindi: Quran Radio, Emarat FM, Abu Dhabi Radio, Star FM, Abu Dhabi Classic FM, Kadak FM, Radio 1, and Radio 2 — covering news, music, sports, children's content, Emirati affairs, entertainment, and knowledge programming.
• Zahrat Al Khaleej Magazine (زهرة الخليج) Arabic-language print magazine covering fashion, women's lifestyle, and beauty content, distributed via newsstands and subscription to MENA audiences.
• Majid Magazine (مجلة ماجد) Arabic-language children's print magazine offering entertainment, educational, and cultural content for young readers, distributed via newsstands and subscriptions.
• National Geographic Arabic Magazine (مجلة ناشيونال جيوغرافيك العربية) Arabic-language edition of National Geographic magazine covering documentary, scientific, and knowledge-based content, distributed via newsstands and subscription in MENA.
• LIVE (لايف) Production Services Wholly-owned television production subsidiary (LIVE) providing television production services to broadcasters and production institutions across the UAE and MENA region.
• ADTV App (adtv-app) Companion digital platform providing access to Abu Dhabi Media's diverse content via web and mobile applications compatible with smart TVs and smartphones.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• STARZPLAYflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 November 2025Abu Dhabi Media and STARZPLAY announced a strategic partnership making ADM's catalogue of over 5,000 hours of Arabic entertainment, sports, and cultural programming exclusively available on STARZPLAY's ad-supported streaming tier. The deal grants ADM access to STARZPLAY's 2.6 million subscriber base while enabling STARZPLAY to significantly expand its Arabic content library. Research firm Omdia highlighted this as a leading example of the broader MENA trend of broadcasters partnering with established streamers rather than building standalone OTT platforms.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MBC Group: Saudi Arabia's largest private multi-platform broadcaster operating leading Arabic TV channels, Shahid streaming, and radio stations. Directly comparable to ADM as a MENA-wide free-to-air and streaming broadcaster competing for Arabic-speaking audiences and advertising budgets.
• Dubai Media Incorporated: UAE state-owned broadcaster operating multiple TV channels and digital platforms under the Dubai government. Closest structural analogue to ADM as a fellow UAE national media entity with linear TV, radio, and digital operations.
• Al Jazeera Media Network: Qatar-based state-affiliated multi-platform broadcaster with TV channels, digital platforms, and original Arabic content production. Comparable in scale, state backing, multi-platform reach, and Arabic-language content investment.
• beIN Media Group: Leading MENA pay-TV and sports broadcaster operating beIN Sports and entertainment channels. Comparable as a major MENA content distributor and rights-holder with significant sports and entertainment programming.
• Rotana Group: Largest MENA Arabic music and entertainment company operating Rotana TV channels, music label, and production. Comparable as a multi-platform Arabic entertainment content producer and distributor with similar regional audience focus.
• OSN (Orbit Showtime Network): Leading pay-TV operator in MENA offering premium international and Arabic content via satellite and streaming. Comparable as a competing MENA distribution platform and programming licensor.
• Shahid (MBC Group streaming): MBC Group's owned Arabic-language streaming platform and a leading competitor to the ADM-STARZPLAY distribution. Comparable as the dominant Arabic SVOD/AVOD platform competing for the same Arabic-speaking subscriber base.
• Sky News Arabia: Abu Dhabi-based 24-hour Arabic news broadcaster operating across TV and digital. Comparable as a UAE-headquartered multi-language news and content brand targeting MENA audiences.
• SRMG (Saudi Research and Media Group): Saudi publishing and media group operating Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News, and digital platforms. Comparable as a large-scale Arabic-language media company with print heritage pivoting to digital.

Regional players

• Sharjah Broadcasting Authority: UAE emirate-level public broadcaster operating radio and TV channels in Sharjah. Comparable as a UAE government-affiliated regional broadcaster with multi-platform Arabic content, though smaller in scale and geographically narrower than ADM.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AbuDhabiMedia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/AbuDhabiTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/abudhabimedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abudhabimedia
• Instagraminstagram.com/abudhabitv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Abu Dhabi Media Company