Sky exits Sky News Arabia joint venture as IMI takes control

Sky UK has exited its joint venture in Sky News Arabia, handing full strategic and operational control — and ownership — of the Abu Dhabi-based Arabic-language broadcaster to International Media Investments (IMI). Under the new arrangement, Sky will retain a link to the service through a long-term brand licensing agreement, but editorial and operational control will now sit fully with IMI, the company controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

"a natural evolution of the channel into a major regional media organisation."

IMI has positioned the change as "a natural evolution of the channel into a major regional media organisation," according to reporting by Julian Clover for Broadband TV News. That statement frames the transfer as a strategic consolidation of assets already under IMI's expanding regional media footprint.

Sky News Arabia was launched in 2012 as a 24-hour Arabic-language news service serving the Middle East and North Africa. It was created through a partnership between Sky and Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, an entity that is now part of IMI. The transfer formalises IMI's full ownership of the channel and ends Sky UK's joint-venture role in the broadcaster.

The decision follows months of scrutiny over Sky News Arabia's coverage of Sudan's civil war. In 2024, Sudan suspended Sky News Arabia’s operations alongside those of Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, citing concerns over professionalism, transparency and licensing. Those events and regional regulatory pressure have formed part of the backdrop to the ownership and governance changes announced.

IMI already owns or holds stakes in a number of regional and international media outlets. The company’s portfolio includes The National, Al Ain News, CNN Business Arabic and Euronews, and it operates media businesses across multiple countries. The consolidation of Sky News Arabia under IMI aligns the channel with that broader group of properties and with IMI's stated regional ambitions.

• Sky News Arabia launch year: 2012
• 2024: Sudan suspended Sky News Arabia, Al Arabiya and Al Hadath
• IMI holdings cited: The National, Al Ain News, CNN Business Arabic, Euronews

For Sky, the move is part of a wider reassessment of international brand partnerships under Comcast ownership. Broadband TV News notes that Comcast previously chose not to renew a similar licensing agreement with Sky News Australia, signalling a broader strategic shift by Sky’s ultimate owner in how it manages global branded news partnerships.

Although the Sky News Arabia name will remain visible in the region through the long-term licence, the reorganisation means IMI will determine the channel’s editorial line, staffing and operational strategy going forward. Observers will be watching how IMI integrates Sky News Arabia with its other properties and whether the new structure alters the channel’s editorial approach, particularly in light of the recent scrutiny over Sudan coverage.

The transfer marks a significant moment in regional media ownership: a legacy international brand will continue in name, while full control and responsibility for day-to-day operations move to a Gulf-based investment vehicle with an expanding international media portfolio.