Sky has ended its joint ownership of Sky News Arabia, handing full strategic and operational control of the broadcaster to its UAE-based partner, International Media Investments (IMI). The channel will continue operating under the Sky News Arabia name through a long-term licensing agreement.
The move concludes a partnership that began in 2010 and led to the launch of Sky News Arabia in 2012 as a competitor to major regional news networks. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Both companies described the change as a natural next step in the channel’s development. Sky said it remains proud of the partnership, while IMI stated that sole ownership would allow the broadcaster to expand and innovate further.
The ownership change comes amid growing scrutiny of Sky News Arabia’s coverage of Sudan’s civil war. Former Sky executives and media reports have accused the channel of reflecting UAE government positions and downplaying allegations against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused by international investigators of serious human rights abuses.
Sudan’s government banned Sky News Arabia from operating in the country after it aired reports suggesting conditions in parts of Darfur were improving. Critics also raised concerns over the channel’s reporting on allegations of atrocities and genocide linked to the conflict.
IMI has maintained that discussions with Sky were purely commercial and unrelated to editorial matters. The company has also denied allegations connecting the ownership change to controversy surrounding the channel’s coverage of Sudan.
