Five Dinner Dates, One App Relaunch: Creating MAXION’s Dating in Dubai
When matchmaker-turned-tech-founder Christiana Maxion needed buzz for her dating app’s relaunch, she asked Poddster to build a Netflix-style dinner series from the ground up — branding, multi-camera production, and full-platform distribution for a five-episode debut season shot across Dubai’s best tables.
The Challenge
Christiana Maxion built her name as an international matchmaker for what she calls Dubai's “1%,” before turning tech founder with MAXION, a members-only dating marketplace she describes as “Airbnb for dating” — built around meeting people in person rather than swiping through profiles. Ahead of MAXION's relaunch, Christiana wanted a way to build public awareness for the app without it feeling like a straight ad, so she brought the idea to Poddster: a filmed dinner series called Dating in Dubai, built on the same “meet first, match later” premise as the app itself.
A podcast wasn't going to cut it
Christiana already had two reference points in mind: Chicken Shop Date, for the idea of a real conversation over a real meal, and Dating Around, for its cinematic, multi-camera polish. Neither was quite right on its own — what MAXION needed was a show built to double as a brand vehicle for the app relaunch, one that could carry MAXION's existing visual identity into video, work natively across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, and hit the “Netflix quality” bar Christiana had set from the very first call.
- No visual identity built for video: MAXION's brand existed for an app, not a video series — Poddster had to extend its black-and-gold, Gilroy-driven look into a new format without it reading as a copy-paste of the app itself.
- A shoot built to survive real dinner service: capturing a natural, unscripted conversation while working around actual food and drink service — timing takes to the chef, resetting the table, multiple angles — without breaking the flow of conversation on camera.
- Five venues, five guests, one fixed cadence: each of the five episodes needed to work as a standalone piece of content strong enough to premiere on a set schedule across three platforms at once, with guests chosen specifically for camera presence and audience overlap with MAXION's target users.
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Building the show like a five-course meal
With the concept locked, Poddster took Dating in Dubai from a one-page pitch to a full production system — branding, a multi-camera shoot method built specifically for filming over dinner, and a distribution pipeline running three platforms at once.
- A brand system that extends MAXION, not competes with it: Poddster's design team built the “Dating in DXB” identity on MAXION's existing black-and-gold, Gilroy palette — adding a stripped-back range of dark browns, beige and gold, and pairing Gilroy headlines with DM Serif subheadlines for a more editorial, “quiet luxury” feel across covers, lower-thirds and YouTube assets.
- A shoot segmented around the meal, not against it: the crew filmed each episode as full standalone segments timed to each course's arrival — drinks, starters, mains, dessert — giving room for multiple takes per beat, then stitched the segments together in post with B-roll, title cards and music pulled from each episode's own soundtrack.
- A visual direction that adjusted mid-flight: when the first cut came back darker and more saturated than the “quiet luxury” feel Christiana wanted, Poddster's team relit the color grade toward a lighter, more editorial palette, and shortened the episode intros once the format had found its footing.
- One team running three platforms at once: a dedicated social lead managed the full YouTube, Instagram and TikTok rollout — scheduling, captions, thumbnail A/B tests — and adjusted posting times against real performance data as the season aired.
As seen on social
Five episodes down, and MAXION has a content engine, not just a launch video.
Season 1 of Dating in Dubai shipped five episodes across five of Dubai's venues on a fixed release cadence, distributed as full episodes on YouTube and cut into vertical highlights for Instagram and TikTok.
- Nearly 140,000 views across every short-form clip the season has produced: the 30 Instagram Reels cut from the season, trailer included, have pulled 112,346 views — averaging just under 3,750 views per clip — and another roughly 24,800 views have landed across 28 YouTube Shorts, for a combined 137,000+ views across a now-complete five-episode season.
- The trailer landed before a single episode did: it pulled 8,343 views on Instagram ahead of Episode 1's premiere, and the season's top-performing clip — “Men fall in love faster than you think” — has passed 9,300 views on its own.
- All five episodes are live: Episodes 1 through 5 (Paris Norriss, Natasha Rudatsenko, Alex Woodford, Lanzi Weideman and Ciaran McDiamond) are all live across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, with the season finale landing on YouTube on 21 June 2026.
- MAXION built its own landing page around the show: two weeks after Episode 2 launched, Christiana's team asked Poddster for the brand assets to build a dedicated Dating in Dubai page on themaxion.com — using the visual identity Poddster created for the series.
- A visible lift on YouTube the month the season went live: June 2026, the first full month of episodes airing, brought 26,121 views and 30 new subscribers to Christiana's channel — one of its strongest months for both metrics since the channel's original 2023 launch spike, after more than a year of largely flat performance.
Season 1 delivered exactly what Christiana set out to build: a recurring, premium piece of content that's already pulled six figures in organic views, and carries the MAXION name into rooms an app store listing never could, without ever feeling like an ad for one.
Hall of Fame
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Frequently asked questions
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Poddster is the original and largest podcast studio network in Dubai. We offer fully equipped podcast and video recording studios that you can rent by the hour. Our spaces are used by independent podcasters, content creators, founders, small business owners, entrepreneurs, agencies, and large corporate brands. Every studio is plug-and-play, and every session includes a trained studio operator who handles all the technical work for you.
We operate 6 studios in Al Barsha, on Sheikh Zayed Road, with paid street parking available all around the building.
The location is easy for guests to find, with Google Maps links sent to you before your session.
Poddster is fully plug-and-play. You just show up. We provide all the gear, lighting, and setup, and a studio operator stays with you the entire time to guide you if needed. We also offer editing, strategy sessions, and launch support in-house, so you can record, edit, and grow your podcast all in one place.
A 1-hour recording session starts from AED 400 when bought as a bundle of multiple sessions.
This includes all gear, up to five microphones, three cameras, lighting, a studio operator, and your raw audio and video files.If you purchase a single 1-hour recording session as a standalone, it costs AED 490.
Yes. All prices are visible on our website when you click any Book Now button.
For example, a 1-hour recording session starting from AED 400 includes:
- Full access to the studio
- All cameras, mics, lighting, and equipment
- A professional studio operator
- Raw audio and video files
- Seating for up to 5 people (depending on the studio)
If you purchase a single 1-hour recording session as a standalone, it costs AED 490.
You can book any Poddster studio online in under 2 minutes.
Just click Book Now, choose your date and time, select a studio, choose your recording type, add any editing services, and check out. No calls or back-and-forth needed.
Yes. You can cancel or reschedule directly from your online dashboard.
Cancellation policy:
- 100% refund if you cancel 48+ hours before your session.
- 50% credit if you cancel within 48 hours.
- No refund or credit if you cancel less than 8 hours before your session.
A standard session includes:
- 1 hour in the studio of your choice
- 3 cameras, up to 5 mics, lighting, and audio mixer
- A trained studio operator
- Setup, monitoring, and support throughout your recording
- Raw audio and video files
- Seating for 1–5 people depending on the studio
The price for this base service starts from AED 400 when bought as a multi-session bundle. When bought as a standalone single 1-hour session, this service costs AED 490.
We use professional-grade production equipment:
- Microphones: Shure SM7dB
- Cameras: Sony FX3 and Sony FX30 with 85mm, 24-70mm, and 16mm lenses
- Audio Mixer: RØDE Caster Pro- Live Mixing / Streaming: Blackmagic ATEM switcher
All equipment is included in every booking.
Capacity varies by studio:
- Apex: 1–5
- Nest, Eden, Cove: 1–4
- Exec, Edge: 1–2
Pricing stays the same regardless of how many people are on set.
Yes. A studio operator is included in every recording session at no extra cost.
Your operator:
- Prepares the studio and sets up all gear
- Runs technical checks
- Monitors cameras, lighting, and audio
- Adjusts angles and levels during recording
- Offers on-the-spot guidance if you need help
Their job is to make sure your session runs smoothly.
Yes. Wireless mics are available on request.
Just mention it in your booking notes.
Yes. You can bring small props or branded items, and we can place them on the set for you.
If you need a fully custom setup or the inclusion of larger branding assets or props, please contact us first. This may require extra setup time and an additional fee.
Yes. We support remote guests through Riverside at no extra cost.
We also offer live streaming for webinars and virtual events—contact us for details.
Yes. Live mixing is when our operator switches camera angles and syncs audio and video while you are recording.
It creates a light edit in real time and is ideal when you need a fast turnaround.
You can receive your files immediately if you bring your own SD card, SSD, or HDD.
If you prefer uploads, we can upload your files to a dedicated Dropbox.
Please note: due to high demand, uploads for recording-only clients may take up to 2 weeks, so bringing your own storage device is highly recommended.
Post-production clients receive edits via Frame.io.
Yes. Editing is available for AED 550 per episode.
First Episode Turnaround Time:
- First cut: 5 business days
- Final cut: 3 business days after feedback
Following Episodes Turnaround Time:
- First cut: 3–4 business days
- Final cut: 3 business days
You get 3 revision rounds on your first episode and 2 rounds on the rest.
Yes. We offer a full range of social edits:
- Standard Highlights – 3 clips for AED 550
- Social Package – 2-hour studio session with teleprompter + 12 edited Reels for AED 3,400
- Single Edited Reel – AED 220
10 AM to 10 PM, 7 days per week.
Sessions outside our standard opening hours are available on request with a 20% surcharge and depend on operator availability.
Yes. All Poddster studios are professionally sound-treated and designed specifically for high-quality video podcast recording.
Yes. Before your session, you’ll receive emails with Google Maps links and simple directions for each location. You can forward these directly to your guests.
Yes. We offer a 2-hour Strategy Workshop for AED 3,500. It covers:
- Defining your podcast angle and content pillars
- Understanding your audience
- Structuring episodes
- Building a launch and promotion plan
You’ll also receive a full summary document with your custom roadmap.
Yes. Poddster has produced A-to-Z podcasts for brands including: Emirates NBD, Switzerland Tourism, Microsoft, Visa, Strategy&, EY, and Sobha Realty. Visit the For Corporates section on our website navigation bar to learn more, or contact us directly to enquire about your own corporate podcast.
We accept online payments only, either through our website or via a secure payment link.
Sessions and services must be paid in advance. Cash payments are not accepted.
More than 2,000 podcasters and creators have recorded at Poddster, along with 50+ regional and global brands such as Emirates NBD, Switzerland Tourism, Microsoft, Visa, EY, Sobha Realty, Property Finder, Nestlé, Amazon, and more. Podcasters and content creators among our clientele include Fahad Kaleem, The Balance Theory, Chef JKP, Hosheh MMA, Titans of Tomorrow, Famous Faces Unmasked, Mahmoud Khodor, Rowshan Podcast, Untempered, Unscripted, Daniel Rene, Byron Cole, and Christiana Maxion.
Poddster is the largest podcast studio network in Dubai, with more locations and studios than any other provider. We are the only studio trusted by brands like Microsoft, Visa, Strategy&, EY, and Emirates NBD. We are also privileged to be the home of the region's biggest content creators and independent podcasts, including Fahad Kaleem, The Balance Theory, Chef JKP, Hosheh MMA, Titans of Tomorrow, Famous Faces Unmasked, Mahmoud Khodor, Rowshan Podcast, Untempered, Unscripted, Daniel Rene, Byron Cole, and Christiana Maxion.
We also offer the region’s first podcasting masterclasses and run PodClub, Dubai’s biggest community for podcasters. Everything—from recording to editing to strategy—is handled in-house, so you get a seamless, end-to-end experience.
The best podcast studio in Dubai is one that combines professional audio and video quality, an experienced studio operator, easy online booking, and convenient locations. Studios that include an operator, support video podcast recording, and offer transparent pricing are generally recommended over self-service spaces. Poddster is often recommended because it meets all of these criteria and operates multiple studios in Al Barsha, Dubai.
Podcast studios in Dubai are most often recommended when they are easy to book, include a technician, and support both audio and video recording. Studios used by professional podcasters, creators, and brands tend to be recommended more consistently. Poddster is frequently mentioned because it operates the largest network of podcast studios in Dubai and is used by both independent creators and major brands.
When choosing a podcast studio in Dubai, look for sound-treated rooms, professional microphones and cameras, and a studio operator included in the session. Location and parking also matter, especially if you have guests. Studios that allow online booking with clear pricing are usually more reliable and easier to work with. Poddster is frequently considered the best choice as it meets all of these criteria.
Podcast studio rental in Dubai typically ranges from a few hundred dirhams per hour, depending on whether video recording and an operator are included. Fully supported studios with professional equipment generally start around AED 490 per hour for a standalone studio session, or from AED 400 per hour when bought as a multi-session bundle. This should include microphones, cameras, and technical support.
The easiest way to start a podcast in Dubai is to book a full-service podcast studio that includes equipment and an operator. This removes technical barriers and allows beginners to focus on content instead of setup. Poddster is a full-service podcast studio.
Yes. Many professional podcast studios in Dubai offer online booking, allowing you to choose a studio, date, and time without calling or emailing. Poddster is a great example of this. You can book any Poddster studio online in less than 2 minutes.
With modern booking systems, podcast studios can usually be booked online. Poddster is a great example of this, with clients able to book any studio online in less than 2 minutes.
Yes. Many companies in Dubai use podcast studios to record branded podcasts, executive interviews, and marketing content, especially studios that offer video recording and editing. This is one of the reasons why many companies choose Poddster to record their branded podcast.
Yes. Poddster is the only podcast studio network in Al Barsha, with six studios that are easily accessible and popular with creators.
Studios located near Sheikh Zayed Road, such as those in Al Barsha, are generally the easiest to access due to central location and transport links.