What Dubai Studio City does

Dubai Studio City is a free zone business district operated by TECOM Group PJSC that functions as the regional hub for film, television, and broadcast production in the Middle East. Established in 2017 within Dubai, UAE, the district hosts the largest sound stages in the MENA region (ranging from 11,000 to 50,000 sq.ft) equipped with specialized production features including water tanks for underwater filming, grid and cat-walk systems for lighting and equipment mounting, elephant doors for set construction access, and advanced soundproofing rated at NRC 1.05 and NC 25. The district is anchored by 2,800+ creative professionals and serves more than 3,500 customers across film and TV production houses, broadcasting networks (MBC, Al Dafra), digital broadcasting platforms (Bytedance/TikTok, Playco Entertainment), and streaming services (Starzplay, Discovery Networks).

The district operates a multi-product commercial real estate and services platform. Core physical products include Sound Stages, Boutique Studios (office spaces with attached studios on multiple floors), Commercial Spaces (700-1,300 sq.ft offices), Retail spaces, Light Industrial Units, and Warehouse Storage, alongside Venues and Event Spaces including amphitheatres (1,000-15,000 capacity) and a 275-seat auditorium. Supporting products include D/Quarters co-working (with three pricing tiers from AED 1,000 to AED 4,500 per month), GoFreelance (a freelancer permit package for independent media professionals), in5 Media (a startup incubator offering editing suites, podcast studio, screening rooms, and green rooms), and the axs platform providing 200+ government and corporate services including licensing, visas, and registrations. Business licensing is offered for FZ-LLC incorporation, branch operations, and freelance permits, all renewable annually.

Revenue mechanics are predominantly subscription/recurring through commercial leasing, coworking subscriptions, annual licensing fees, and event venue hire, with quote-based pricing for sound stage and boutique studio rentals. The district does not report standalone financials and operates as a non-listed subsidiary within TECOM Group's portfolio of 10 business districts serving 124,000+ professionals and 11,800+ customers. In 2023, the ecosystem recorded 358,000 minutes of original content across 198 calendar days of shoots, and more than 12,000 hours of original content was facilitated across 2023-2024 combined. The creative talent community expanded 12% year-on-year in H1 2024, reflecting demand momentum. Distribution is multi-channel: enterprise sales through dedicated account managers for large tenants, self-service business setup via the website wizard for SMBs and freelancers, and event-driven acquisition at international trade shows (CABSAT, Broadcast India Show) targeting global production companies.

Name

Dubai Studio City

Legal name

TECOM Group PJSC

Website

https://dubaistudiocity.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dubai Studio City is a Dubai-based free zone business district operated by TECOM Group, providing MENA's largest sound stages, production studios, commercial spaces, co-working, and licensing services to film, TV, broadcasting, and digital media companies, anchor tenants, and freelance creators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media Production Infrastructure

NAICS

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Sound Recording Studios (512240)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350)

akta.pro primary industry

Studio Campus / Production Facility Operators (MPADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soundstage & Stage Rental (Film/TV) (MPADAIAA), Production Office Space & Support Facilities (MPADAIAD), Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA)

Keywords

• Film production facilities
• Sound stage rental
• Media free zone licensing
• Commercial space leasing
• Broadcast infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial Space Leasing: Rental revenue from flexible and strategically located offices, commercial spaces, and Grade-A office spaces. Sizes range from 700sq.ft to 1,300sq.ft with fitted and non-fitted options.
2. Boutique Studios Rental: Office spaces coupled with attached studios on multiple floors, perfect for TV stations and production companies.
3. Sound Stages Rental: Region's largest sound stages ranging from 11,000 to 50,000 sq.ft with water tanks, grid systems, elephant doors, available for film, TV, and commercial production.
4. Retail Space Leasing: Retail spaces available onsite serving the 2,800+ professionals in the community.
5. Business Licensing: Free zone business licenses for new incorporation (FZ-LLC), branch of existing foreign/UAE company, and freelance permits. Licenses valid for one year and renewable annually.
6. Coworking Spaces (D/Quarters): Co-working spaces including Office Quarters (AED 4,500/month), DeskQuarters (AED 3,000/month), and OpenQuarters (AED 1,000/month) with various amenities and visa eligibility.
7. Government and Corporate Services: axs platform provides 200+ government and corporate solutions including visas, licensing, registration, and building fit-out permits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dubai Studio City is a free zone business district that leases purpose-built media production infrastructure including the region's largest sound stages (11,000-50,000 sq.ft), boutique studios, commercial offices, retail spaces, coworking facilities, and warehouses to film, television, broadcasting, and digital media companies. It also provides free zone business licensing, freelance permits via GoFreelance, startup incubation through in5 Media, and 200+ government and corporate services via the axs platform.

Product overview

Dubai Studio City is a media and entertainment hub operated by TECOM Group PJSC, providing a comprehensive ecosystem for content creation. The portfolio consists of core production facilities including Sound Stages (ranging from 11,000 to 50,000 sq.ft with advanced features like water tanks, elephant doors, and cat-walk systems), Commercial Spaces (700-1,300 sq.ft offices), Boutique Studios (offices with attached studios), and Retail spaces serving 2,800+ professionals. Supporting infrastructure includes D/Quarters co-working spaces (Office Quarters at AED 4,500/month, DeskQuarters at AED 3,000/month, OpenQuarters at AED 1,000/month), GoFreelance for independent professionals, and in5 Media startup incubator with production facilities. The venue portfolio includes amphitheatres (1,000-15,000 capacity), auditoriums (275 seats), and conference facilities. Additional services include axs for government/corporate solutions (200+ services), warehouse storage, light industrial units, and Dubai Film and TV Commission support. The district facilitates over 12,000 hours of original content annually and hosts more than 3,500 customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dubai Film and TV Commission: Supports an array of content production activities offering seamless shooting experiences to producers, film crews, and filmmakers based at the district.
• in5 Media

Products and services

• Sound Stages The region's largest and most sophisticated sound stages designed for film, TV, and entertainment production, featuring water tanks, grid and cat-walk systems, elephant doors, and advanced soundproofing with NRC 1.05 and NC 25 ratings. Available in three types ranging from 15,118 sq.ft to 50,000 sq.ft for production companies, film studios, and broadcasters.
• Commercial Spaces Flexible and strategically located offices and commercial spaces ranging from 700 sq.ft to 1,300 sq.ft with fitted and non-fitted options, available for lease to media, broadcasting, and entertainment companies.
• Boutique Studios Unique adaptive spaces with attached studios on one or more floors, ideal for TV stations and production companies, providing offices and production facilities in one location.
• Retail Retail spaces available onsite serving the 2,800+ professionals in the Dubai Studio City community, offering thriving and dynamic retail options within the media hub.
• D/Quarters A unique co-working space providing independent thinkers and game changers with a collaborative community. Offers Office Quarters (AED 4,500/month), DeskQuarters (AED 3,000/month), and OpenQuarters (AED 1,000/month) with amenities including 24/7 access, meeting rooms, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
• GoFreelance The easiest package to start a freelancing career in design, media, or education, simplifying the process for independent talent through a 3-step registration via the axs platform. Includes access to Marketplace for bidding on projects and expanding networks.
• in5 Media A digital media hub and startup incubator providing access to high-end media production facilities including editing suites, green rooms, screening rooms, and a podcast studio. Supports media entrepreneurs and startups with workspace, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
• Venues and Event Spaces Centrally located spaces suitable for concerts, gala dinners, exhibitions, brand activations, meetings, and conferences, including amphitheatres (capacity 1,000-15,000), auditoriums (275 seats), conference halls, outdoor activations, and sound stages for galas and product launches.
• Warehouse Storage Storage spaces used for storage of goods by manufacturing companies, wholesale businesses, and logistics businesses operating within the Dubai Studio City free zone.
• Light Industrial Units Properties used by organizations and businesses that produce or manufacture end-user products and goods, available at Dubai Production City and Dubai Science Park.
• axs Services TECOM Group's integrated smart services platform offering more than 200 government and corporate solutions including visas, licensing, registration, and building fit-out permits for businesses operating in the free zone.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 12,000 hours of original content created in 2023 and 2024 (500+ hours of film, TV, and advertising content per month)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2023Partnership to launch the Escape Climate Change – Mangrove Edition escape room to boost climate awareness and action as part of the Year of Sustainability leading up to COP28. The initiative aims to raise awareness about climate risks using nature-based solutions.
• Emirates Nature-WWFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2023Collaboration with EAD and TECOM Group to deliver the Escape Climate Change experience, with participants invited to join the Leaders of Change community and participate in conservation activities through the Sahim programme.
• Dubai Film and TV CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports content production activities from Dubai Studio City base, offering seamless shooting experiences to producers, film crews, and filmmakers.
• Business FranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetworking event hosted by Dubai Studio City at CABSAT 2025 with Business France to facilitate connections between French and regional media companies.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Ramoji Film City: India's largest integrated film studio complex offering sound stages, sets, production support, and tourism. Comparable as a multi-purpose production campus, with stronger Indian content focus making it the relevant South Asian peer to DSC's emerging Indian-language content push.

Direct peers

• Pinewood Group (Pinewood Studios): The UK's premier integrated film/TV studio campus operator running multi-stage production facilities, attached office space, and production support for major global productions. Closest comparable operator of large-scale sound stages leased on a long-term, film-by-film basis to major productions.
• Shepperton Studios: A UK-based studio campus operating large sound stages used by Hollywood and streaming-era productions, with attached commercial/production office space. Directly comparable in business model — sound-stage rental plus integrated boutique studio/office leasing for production companies.
• twofour54: Abu Dhabi's media free zone offering production facilities, sound stages, and content services. The most direct regional competitor to Dubai Studio City with near-identical free-zone structure, Hollywood-grade infrastructure, and overlapping customer base of broadcasters, production houses, and digital content creators.
• Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden: A UK studio complex with multiple sound stages plus production and office facilities, used by both internal Warner productions and external clients on a lease/rental basis. Comparable as a large multi-tenant sound-stage facility with attached commercial/production space.
• CBS Studio Center: A long-established Los Angeles production campus offering sound stages, production offices, and support services for TV and film clients. Directly comparable in concept as a multi-tenant production facility campus that leases stages and offices to outside producers.
• Trilith Studios: A large US studio campus in Georgia purpose-built for film and TV production, offering sound stages, production offices, retail, and a residential/mixed-use community. Mirrors DSC's model of combining production facilities with on-site commercial and community infrastructure.
• Manhattan Beach Studios: A Southern California-based independent studio facility operating multiple sound stages used for major feature films and episodic TV. Closely comparable as a purpose-built multi-stage rental operator serving both major studios and independent producers.

Broad incumbents

• Paramount Pictures Studios: A historic Hollywood major studio campus operating multiple sound stages and production facilities primarily for its own content but also with third-party leasing capacity. Relevant incumbent peer demonstrating the integrated studio-campus template DSC operates at smaller scale.
• NBCUniversal Studios (Universal Studios Lot): One of the largest integrated Hollywood studio campuses with extensive sound stages, production offices, and post-production facilities. Comparable business archetype to DSC's full-stack production campus, though at much greater scale and oriented around NBCU's own productions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Dubai Studio City