Dubai Studio City (DSC), a member of TECOM Investments, announced it will showcase at CABSAT 2008 top of the range technical and community infrastructure that has successfully attracted global media production companies to its cluster.

The 14th edition of CABSAT, the Middle East's largest electronic media and satellite communications event, will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4-6 March, bringing together leading industry players from around the world to the region.

At CABSAT 2008, DSC will seek to leverage its participation to attract new industry players to the free zone, highlighting its enormous networking potential for broadcasting services and technology while targeting the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets.

Jamal Al Sharif, Director, Dubai Studio City, said: 'CABSAT 2008 is an ideal platform showcasing latest technologies in broadcasting, especially for the onset of digital high definition TV (HDTV) transmission. Key regional and international brands participate in this event to gauge market trends and explore business opportunities.'

'Dubai Studio City consistently endeavours to bring new products and services to facilitate the seamless functioning of its current business partners. Geared to becoming a 'one stop shop' for production related services, we aim to evolve as a popular destination for suppliers and clients to convene.'

Al Sharif will feature as a keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of CABSAT on 4 March, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Currently, Dubai Studio City is home to over 70 broadcasters, while more than 160 TV channels operate from Dubai Media City (DMC), yet another TECOM Investments entity. DSC has over 75 licensed business partners, comprising recognized broadcasters such as NDTV (Arabia), MTV, Spacetoon; and value chain companies including EVS Broadcase, Irdeto, Alpatron, and Mediapro.

Al Sharif added: 'In our pursuit of excellence, Dubai Studio City seeks to leverage our business partners' strengths, expertise, and solutions to create the most sophisticated infrastructure and services for the local, regional and international media community. This has helped us attract globally recognised brands to set up their regional operations in Dubai Studio City.'

At CABSAT 2008, DSC will co-exhibit with du, the official integrated satellite services provider for the premier technology exhibition. du's technology will allow business partners to uplink and downlink content and live feeds.

Dedicated to the growth of film, TV, radio production, post-production and broadcast industries in the region, the 22 million sq. ft Dubai Studio City boasts 14 sound stages, 3.5 million sq. ft. back lot for outdoor shooting, commercial offices, pre-built studios, a business centre and post-production studios.

SpaceToon Media Group, one of the most recognized children's media brands in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced it is setting up its regional base at the Dubai Studio City (DSC), a member of TECOM Investments.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Dubai International Film Festival.
SpaceToon is leasing 57,861 sq. ft. in Dubai Studio City to build a dedicated facility that will include Spacetoon Academy for Animation, state-of-the-art studio and offices.

Jamal Al Sharif, Director, DSC, said: 'The arrival of SpaceToon at Dubai Studio City adds a fresh dimension to the bouquet of production entities present in the cluster. SpaceToon's unique offering, combining education and entertainment components, will add high value to the niche regional programming for children.

'Dubai Studio City is aggressively investing in developing state-of-the-art facilities to help our partners launch their operations effectively. The increasing interest from major film and broadcast houses is a testimony to its ability to provide world-class infrastructure and quality ancillary services.'

SpaceToon is an integrated media company involved in TV, radio, licensing, merchandizing, online and interactive products. It holds the rights to the largest library of Arabic dubbed animated cartoons in the region. Spacetoon is currently a multinational brand name that has extended its footprint to Indonesia, Korea, and India.

Fayez Weiss Alsabagh, President and CEO, SpaceToon Media Group, said: 'SpaceToon Media Group is pleased to announce the leasing of land at Dubai Studio City, a destination of dreams and fantasies for millions of children. Kids will have an incredible opportunity to tour the fascinating building and experience first hand the step by step creation of animations.

'In line with SpaceToon's strategic expansion plans, our move to Dubai Studio City will give us a much larger avenue of opportunity for commercial and social growth. The management team at SpaceToon is looking forward to launching this endeavour as a vital move for the group's development.'

SpaceToon Animation College will be the first institution in the Middle East, offering the transfer of a television station's know-how to students through 2D and 3D animation technology. On completion, the young graduates will be given the opportunity to pursue their careers within the SpaceToon Group.

Meanwhile, SpaceToon is expanding to new markets with its Hindi language channel, which is scheduled to launch early next year. This will be followed by three additional channels in Farsi, Russian and Turkish. SpaceToon aims to launch channels in 10 languages by 2010.

Dubai Studio City offers a complete technical and community infrastructure catering to the film, TV, radio production and broadcast industries. The facility aims to attract production and broadcast companies, as well as providers of support services such as animation, dubbing, makeup, costume design, set design and construction, casting, telnet agencies, telecine, and laboratory facilities.

Dubai Studio City (DSC), a member of TECOM Investments, today announced the official opening of 18 Boutique Studios at a special on site ceremony held to celebrate the moving in of its first business partners.

Offering an ideal environment for independent production and broadcast companies, the Boutique Studios have been developed at an investment of Dhs110m part of Dubai Studio City's Phase 1 development. All the Boutique Studios have been reserved by regional and international broadcasters.

Each Boutique Studio will provide 6,000 sq. ft. of office space, and offer dedicated studio facilities ranging from 1,000 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. The designs of all the units correspond to the highest international standards to meet high end production needs..

Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Executive Director of Media, TECOM Investments, said: 'The new Dubai Studio City offerings will help accommodate the mushrooming growth in the region's broadcasting sector. Dubai's top of the range infrastructure, hassle free business environment and investor-friendly services have significantly contributed to this fast-paced growth.'

Jamal Al Sharif, Director of Dubai Studio City said: 'The early reservation of all the Boutique Studios is an indication of the global players' keenness to take advantage of our state-of-the-art infrastructure. This confirms our strategy of offering optimum facilities to meet the diverse requirements of our partners.

'The moving in of the first of our business partners is a landmark for the Dubai Studio City. We also have an extensive waiting list of companies seeking space at the boutique studios, which underscore the facility's unique value addition to production entities.'

Dubai Studio City is dedicated to the growth of film, TV, radio production, post-production and broadcast industries in the region. Spread over an area of 22 million sq. ft, Dubai Studio City will include 14 sound stages, 3.5 million sq. ft. back lot for outdoor shooting, commercial offices, pre-built studios, a business centre and post-production studios. Please use this not to sound repetitive.

The Dubai-based Capital Plus holding Company today celebrated breaking the ground for its first development in Dubai Studio City, when it launched 'Media Hotel'.

The AED 1 billion development will be under the management of Windham Ramada Hotels.

The launch event was attended by the famous Arab signer Raghib Alama, who'll be the brand ambassador for thehotel and is one of the investors in this new project. The famous Lebanese singer believed that 'with the great support always given by both the public and private sectors in the UAE to art and artists, Dubai could play a major role in the region and in the near future become a leading hub for art and media production.'

The event was attended by Dr Mohamed Saleh, Chairman of Capital Plus Holding Company, Jamal Sheriff, Director of Dubai Studio City and the superstar Raghib Alama.

On this occasion Dr. Saleh said "we are glad to play a role in enhancing prominent media developments that will have an impact on the world of art, not only in the UAE, but in the region. We are seeking to offer a value-added service to the visitors of Dubai through a unique development which will contribute to developing the hospitality industry in the country". He added "the real value of a good investment lies in a smart concept based on innovation and creative ideas together with proper execution, a healthy business environment and the introduction of the highest degree of quality."

Congratulating Capital Plus on the new development, Sheriff said "this project will offer an important service that will support the growing business in Dubai in general and Dubai Studio City in specific. The hotel will cater to various multimedia production companies that are going to set up here and attract a large number of people from the industry.'

'With the largest outdoor screen in the world that will display different movies and commercials, the hotel is expected to be a remarkable icon in Dubai Studio City.' Added Sheriff.

Media Hotel will be a four star accommodation made up of 3 buildings built on a 100,000 sq feet piece of land, with a total built up area of 405,000 sq feet. Comprising of 258 rooms, 19 villas, 23 suits and 10 chalets overlooking a swimming pool, two 1600-sq-feet royal suits, 3 themed high class restaurants, 700-seat conference room. The hotel will also include a world-class Spa, and Asian-styled outdoor landscaping.

Completion of the project is expected at the end of 2008.

Dubai Studio City (DSC), a member of TECOM Investments, today announced its investment in phase one of the development has reached AED1.2 billion.

In an on-site meeting arranged for business partners and media, Dubai Studio City revealed 78 per cent of the infrastructure is already in place and the rest will be completed by year end.

Phase one of Dubai Studio City will feature 18 boutique studios, three mega sound stages, four six-level office buildings, a 15-storey tower, retail area, a warehouse and a workshop.

Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Executive Director of Media, TECOM Investments, said: "The development we witness today is a testimony to our commitment to provide the local and international media communities with a reliable infrastructure that fulfils their creative and operational requirements. Guided by the clear understanding of various film and broadcast media requirements, DSC will have an enabling environment which maximises opportunities for these businesses."

"Dubai Studio City is determined to play a positive role in diversifying Dubai's economy by creating a unique cluster for the film and broadcast media. Although we aim to attract international production organisations, we would like to assure you that local talents will not be overlooked. Our optimum goal is to lay the foundation to enable a UAE film industry to grow and flourish. Fledgling film makers, as well as mega production companies will find Dubai Studio City the ideal location."

The event also marked DSC's Location Approval Services (LAS) department's completion of two years in operation. LAS is the dedicated operational arm of Dubai Studio City, mandated with facilitating government permits for all photography and filming activities in Dubai. It also offers a full bouquet of enabling services including location scouting, access to talent and weather forecasts, as well as arranging visas, travel and accommodation. LAS has supported around 400 production projects since its inception in 2005.

Jamal Al Sharif, Director of Dubai Studio City, said: "We are investing in developing state of the art facilities to help our partners proceed with their operations in a smooth and effective manner. Best global standards are being followed to ensure our offering matches industry requirements.

"More than 40 companies have been licensed by DSC so far, while eight more are in the negotiation stage. The increasing interest is a testimony to the industry's confidence in Dubai's ability to provide a world-class infrastructure and quality ancillary services.'

Construction work at phase one of DSC's core production area is scheduled to start in June 2007. This will include three sound stages, starting with a 15,500 sq. ft. studio which will be ready by Q2 2008. The other two sound stages will provide each 25,295 sq. ft of sound-proofed studio space. These are expected to be ready by Q3 2008. The three studios will be supported by similar size of office space totalling 65,000 sq. ft. to cater administration and operational requirements to sustain production activities.

The two larger stages can be connected with large elephant doors to create a 50,000 sq. ft stage. They will be equipped to meet the requirements of the most demanding big-budget productions.

Building operations starting in June will also include a 130,000 sq ft warehouse dedicated to production companies to store their materials and equipment. A similar 130,000 sq ft. area will also be allocated for a workshop for producing interior and exterior decorations and shooting locations sets.

Launched in February 2005, Dubai Studio City aims to build a huge cluster of companies from across the film, broadcast and music production value-chain. These include production companies, support service providers offering production and post-production facilities, animation studios and services like dubbing, makeup, costume designing, stage designing and building, casting, telnet agencies as well as telecine and lab facilities.