MUMBAI: Sky News Arabia, the joint venture between Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation and BSkyB, has began the live broadcast of the 24-hour Arabic news channel for viewers in Middle East and North Africa.

The channel will be beamed across 50 million homes.

The channel is supported by an editorial advisory committee “to ensure Sky News Arabia delivers balanced, accurate and consistent news". Based in Abu Dhabi, the new network is supported by 400 editorial staff, across 12 state-of-the-art bureau.

Promising objective and impartial news delivery, ADMIC chairman Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said, “The region demanded an Arab news product which incorporates both the technological developments and the fast changing media consumption habits that are transforming how news is gathered and disseminated. Our market research uncovered a strong appetite from Arab audiences for a high calibre, independent news channel which delivers news in real time and across multiple media platforms, be they high definition television sets, the Internet, smart phones or tablets.

“This, coupled with the pace of change and development of the global media landscape, reaffirms the need for Sky News Arabia – a channel launched from the heart of the Arab world for the Arab world. I am confident Sky News Arabia will become an icon for objective news reporting,” Al Jaber explained.

Sky News Arabia broadcasts on transponder 15 on Arabsat Badr 4, transponder 14 on Nilesat 201, on du IPTV and e-Life platforms plus in high definition on the OSN pay TV platform, as well as the Abu Dhabi TV Network.

Commenting on the channel’s launch, Sky News Arabia head Nart Bouran said, “This is a momentous occasion for Sky News Arabia and, I believe, a leap forward for the news industry in the Arab world. Our 400 strong editorial team will aim to set new standards for regional news through a high quality, engaging news product which informs viewers of events as and when they happen.”

BSkyB CFO and Sky News Arabia Board Director Andrew Griffith explained, “BSkyB is one of the UK’s most innovative and successful companies and Sky News has always been a pioneering part of our business. Our partnership with ADMIC to create a truly independent news offering for the Middle East and North Africa is a project we are fully committed to. It is an investment that both parties are proud to have made and we aim to set a new standard for news delivery in the region.”