Dubai: Major independent UK-based news channel, Sky News, is in discussions with an Abu Dhabi based private investor about the potential to establish a new 24/7 Arabic language satellite news channel, sources told Gulf News.
The new channel, to be operated under the Sky News brand, would be run as a 50-50 joint venture between the two parties. It would aim to offer a new style of multi-media news across the Middle East, North Africa region (MENA), offering independent and neutral coverage of the news agenda, a source familiar with the talks said, but did not disclose who the local investor is.
The new channel would be based in Abu Dhabi with bureaux in most major regional and international news centres. It would be available free-to-air across MENA.
If the discussions are successful, the channel could launch within 24 months, according to the source.
Sky News, which currently broadcasts in English, is available to viewers in Europe, Australasia and the Middle East and is a highly respected, award-winning breaking news service with a tradition of delivering news to audiences in an accessible way.
Head of Sky News, John Ryley, said in a statement the Middle East is undergoing rapid economic and social development and is becoming an increasingly attractive region for media investment.
“This venture would build on our existing strengths as an international news provider and bring the Sky News brand to a new audience. Discussions are progressing well and we look forward to bringing a new approach to Arabic-language news.”
