Abu Dhabi opens the most advanced production facilities in the region

Sky News Arabia, the free-to-air 24-hour Arabic rolling news channel, launching in spring 2012,  announced the move of its editorial and operational teams into its newly built state-of-the-art studio site in Abu Dhabi city.

The new studio and production facilities are considered to be the most advanced in the region.

The channel will deliver breaking news in both HD and SD formats focusing on the Arab world via twelve dedicated bureaus across the region and globally, as well as access to Sky News’ international bureau network.

Nart Bouran, Head of Sky News Arabia, said: “The move to the new site is a significant milestone in the Sky News Arabia launch plan. We are already carrying out technical rehearsals and will start with full studio rehearsals later this month. Our investment in this high-tech studio complex affirms our commitment to provide fast, fresh live, evolving news across our multiple platforms – television, tablet, mobile and online.”

Since April 2011 the technical integration process at the new studio complex, which is now located inside twofour54 the Abu Dhabi media hub , has been supported by Television Systems Limited (TSL), who have worked closely with Sky News Arabia’s engineering team on the design. Last month, TSL handed over the broadcast system including approximately 208 kilometres of cables into the facility, in addition to over 100 tones of state-of-the-art broadcast equipment.

Bouran added: “We have appointed a great mix of talented presenters who will be engaged through multimedia platforms in advance of the TV launch. The technical operation we have delivered will allow each presenter to deliver a vibrant and fresh format in news delivery.”

Sky News Arabia will broadcast from a single large studio, housing a number of permanent sets dedicated to different programs, providing seamless flow from one area and presenter to another, giving production directors maximum flexibility over their 11 cameras.