The 8th edition of the Dubai International Content Market (DICM) returns in November next year to Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, continuing its regional outreach across the MENA region and beyond.

The 2024 edition of the two-day show earlier this month drew attention to, among other topics, evolving tastes for Arabic originals as the cornerstone of regional streaming strategies, with record-high demand in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the growing popularity of anime in Saudi Arabia, and crime drama engagement among Moroccan viewers.

Speakers also highlighted the expanding opportunities for unscripted content, family programming, and cross-genre productions for younger audiences.

Announcing 2025 dates, organisers said this year’s edition on 12-13 November attracted over 900 participants from more than 70 countries, with 87 exhibitors on the market floor. 

During the DICM Talks section of the two-day event, streaming platforms including OSN+, STARZPLAY and Yango Play shared strategies and upcoming projects. 

OSN+ previewed its first original Kuwaiti drama-comedy mini-series, "The Fashionista", which premieres in 2025. OSN+/Anghami’s VP product, Mohammed Ogaily, said the platform was expanding into comedy and horror. He also underlined the platform’s ongoing commitment to blockbusters and originals.  

e&’s (formerly Etisalat) STARZPLAY emphasised its investments in sports and Arabic originals. Content director, Farah Makarem, showcased investments in sports leagues like cricket and Serie A, Arabic originals, and family-friendly content. 

Yango Play’s head of content strategy Elena Brodskaya showcased AI-powered user experiences and original unscripted content such as its first Egyptian reality series "Al Ghaleb Ghaleb", which offers an exclusive glimpse into the life of Hadia Ghaleb, an Arab woman who wears many hats, balancing her personal and professional life.

Discussions also highlighted the growing importance of Turkish content, and opportunities for unscripted content. Speakers, including Hasret Ozcan, president of Inter Medya, spotlighted Turkey’s role as the world’s second-largest content exporter. Among the deals signed during the event were Korea Studio S’s partnership with Dubai’s evision for 11 series and Neon Creation’s US$1.5 million MoU (with an unnamed regional distributor), were announced.

Amit Devani, Parrot Analytics’ director of insights EMEA, said demand for animated content had tripled since 2021, while genres like crime and thrillers remain dominant in regional preferences. Meanwhile, “Franchise Fatigue” is causing a decline in traditional blockbusters such as Marvel and Star Wars, creating opportunities for fresh narratives.