NKN Media valued at AED 300 million, following strategic deal with Dhiraj Jain

NKN Media, a UAE-headquartered media and television distribution company, has reached a valuation of AED 300 million, following a strategic investment of AED 15 million by entrepreneur and investor Dhiraj Jain, Founder & Chairman of 1XL. He has acquired a 5% stake in the company.

The investment marks a significant milestone in NKN Media’s journey as the company accelerates its expansion beyond the UAE and strengthens its position within the global media and entertainment ecosystem. Founded with a focus on media distribution, NKN Media has been steadily evolving into a diversified media company with a growing portfolio of original intellectual properties, entertainment formats, international events and strategic media partnerships.

The company’s latest growth phase is being driven with its focus on developing original IPs from the UAE for audiences across India, the Middle East and international markets. One of NKN Media’s latest original properties - Falcons of Majlis, is a UAE-focused reality funding show built around the country’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem. 

The format brings together entrepreneurs, investors and prominent personalities from the worlds of business and entertainment, with selected startups pitching their businesses to a panel of investors. Dhiraj Jain’s association with Falcons of Majlis will add value to the project as combined synergies work towards building unique properties.

Majid Abdul Khan, CEO & Managing Director, NKN Media, said: “Reaching a valuation of AED 300 million is a proud milestone for NKN Media and a strong validation of the vision we have been building from the UAE. Dhiraj Jain’s association is not only a strategic investment in the company, but also reflects the growing confidence in our ability to create original, scalable IPs for the global audiences. His experience as an entrepreneur and investor, together with his association with Falcons of Majlis, brings valuable strategic perspective as we enter our next phase of growth. Our ambition is to build NKN Media into a global media company originating from the UAE, with a strong portfolio of original properties.”

Dhiraj Jain, Founder & Chairman, 1XL, said: “Having closely experienced NKN Media’s vision through my association with Falcons of Majlis, I see strong potential in the company’s transition from media distribution to building original, scalable IPs. The UAE’s growing media and entertainment ecosystem presents a compelling opportunity, and I look forward to contributing to NKN Media’s next phase of growth.”

Falcons of Majlis features prominent personalities from business and entertainment, including Suniel Shetty, Chitrangada Singh, Rizwan Sajan, Ankur Agarwal, Tauseef Khan and Dhiraj Jain, alongside other investors and entrepreneurs. The show is part of NKN Media’s broader strategy to develop distinctive IPs that can travel across markets and create long-term value beyond traditional media distribution.

With its expanding international presence, strategic partnerships and growing portfolio of original properties, NKN Media is entering its next phase with a clear focus on building a global media and entertainment platform from the UAE.

About NKN Media

NKN Media is a global media conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, with a strong presence across the UAE, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Bahrain, India, and Sri Lanka. A 360-degree media powerhouse, it partners with leading broadcast networks including Republic TV, Aaj Tak, India Today, and Times Now, while also publishing SpiceRoute, the in-flight magazine of SpiceJet. With a growing portfolio of IPs such as Falcons of Majlis, Dubai Property Expo, Indo-UAE International Property Expo, Icons of UAE and more, NKN Media continues to drive innovation and expansion across international markets.