Arabic language 24-hour news channel Sky News Arabia is to launch on 6 May.
The channel, which was first announced in November 2010, is the result of a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corp (ADMIC), a private investment company owned by HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB). The 24-hour channel and digital platform promises “a new horizon” for news reporting across the Arab world.
Nart Bouran, head of Sky News Arabia, said: “The Sky News Arabia idea was born more than two years ago. Our aim has been to create an impartial and independent breaking news channel for the Arab world across multiple platforms. It has been a huge collaborative team effort resulting in the most technically advanced news operation in the region. We have nearly 400 of the best journalists, reporters, presenters, producers and broadcast technicians working together to create an unparalleled news channel.”
The channel is to be supported by an ‘Editorial Advisory Committee’ to ensure Sky News Arabia delivers “fair, accurate, consistent and independent news”. On the committee are Dr Sulaiman Al Hattlan, chief executive of the Arab Strategy Forum; Roger Alton, executive editor, The Times; Chris Birkett, executive editor, Sky News; Ahmed Al Blooshi, director general at Emirates Media Inc; Martin Edelman, Of Counsel, Paul Hastings LLP; James Zogby, author of Arab Voices and founder and president of the Arab American Institute; and Bouran.
Sky News Arabia’s digital news platform has been active since the website launched in Beta format in February. Sixteen presenters from across the MENA region will anchor the channel.
