The 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s first and largest event dedicated to the content creation sector, has announced MBC GROUP, the MENA region’s largest and most influential media organisation as the Strategic Partner for its fourth edition.
Organised by the UAE Government Media Office, the Summit will take place in Dubai from 9–11 January 2026, across Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future, under the overarching theme “Content for Good.”
This strategic collaboration underscores the crucial role of Arab media institutions in championing meaningful content creation across the region. It aims to boost the development of Arabic content, expand its global reach, amplify Arab media’s presence internationally, and empower creators to produce impactful stories that contribute to more aware and creative societies.
Bassam Albraikan, Director of PR, CSR and Corporate Communications at MBC GROUP, said, “We are proud to be the Strategic Partner of the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit – a global platform that brings together creators, influencers, and content makers from around the world.”
He added that this partnership reflects MBC GROUP’s commitment to empowering young Arab talent while elevating Arabic content to compete and make an impact in the global digital landscape.
Albraikan highlighted that, backed by more than 30 years of media and entertainment leadership, MBC GROUP will support the Summit’s programmes and its participating creators by sharing its extensive expertise in premium content production. This contribution, he noted, will further enhance the role of Arab media in shaping the global digital landscape.
“Our partnership with the 1 Billion Followers Summit opens new horizons of collaboration between traditional and digital media, paving the way for a more integrated media environment across the Arab world.”
Hussein Al Atouli, Director of the New Media Academy, said, “MBC GROUP holds a pioneering position in supporting Arabic content and advancing the media industry across the region. Through its partnership with the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, we will jointly enhance the capabilities of talented content creators by equipping them with the knowledge, expertise, and technology needed to advance their creative output.”
He added, “Empowering content creators goes beyond providing them with tools—it’s also about giving them opportunities to engage with leading media institutions like MBC GROUP, and to benefit from its experience in developing creative skills and building professional capabilities that elevate Arabic content to global standards.”
Al Atouli affirmed that the partnership enhances the synergy between traditional and digital media, paving the way for collaborative initiatives that reflect the rapid evolution of the digital media world.
“The 1 Billion Followers Summit provides an ideal platform to exchange expertise, build new partnerships, and enhance the quality and global impact of Arabic content, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for creativity and purposeful media,” he said.
The partnership reflects the shared mission of the Summit and MBC GROUP to provide creators with cutting-edge tools and technologies aligned with the fast-changing digital landscape. It equips them to produce innovative, meaningful content that reflects Arab identity, promotes positive social values, and boosts the competitiveness of Arabic content globally.
The collaboration also offers Arab creators the chance to connect with leading global influencers and content makers throughout the Summit’s sessions, fostering cooperation between traditional media and emerging digital platforms and contributing to a thriving environment for creative, high-impact media production.
Founded in London in 1991 as an independent satellite broadcaster, MBC GROUP has grown into one of the region’s most prominent media conglomerates, with a diverse portfolio that includes more than 13 free-to-air TV channels and three radio stations.
The fourth edition of the Summit builds on the major success of its January 2025 event, which brought together over 15,000 creators and influencers, 420 speakers, and 125 CEOs and global industry leaders, drawing more than 30,000 in-person attendees and generating 1.5 billion digital interactions.
Ahead of its 2026 edition, the Summit has unveiled several major international initiatives, including the world’s largest AI-generated film award—worth US$1 million—launched in partnership with Google. It has also introduced the Creators Ventures Accelerator, part of the second edition of the Creators Ventures programme, supported by Creators HQ in collaboration with 500 Global, allocating up to AED 50 million to fund and incubate creators and start-ups.
Additionally, for the first time since its inception, the Summit will feature a dedicated pavilion for content creation companies, marking a significant milestone aimed at advancing the creator economy and inspiring young talent through the success stories of leading influencers who have built their own ventures.
(Inputs from WAM)
