Sky Ends Joint Venture with UAE Partner Over Sudan Coverage Concerns

Sky is relinquishing strategic and operational control of its Arabic-language news joint venture with a UAE investment vehicle while keeping a multi-year brand licensing deal that allows the channel to retain its name. The Abu Dhabi-based channel began broadcasting in 2012 as a competitor to Al Jazeera and the BBC World Service's Arabic service.

Sky executives had grown concerned about editorial decisions on regional coverage, particularly reports on the conflict in Sudan.

Sudan's government banned Sky News Arabia from operating inside the country in November after a crew visited El Fasher and produced a report stating that security and humanitarian conditions had stabilized. The channel later published reports suggesting satellite imagery and survivor accounts of atrocities lacked supporting evidence on the ground.

A UN-mandated fact-finding mission concluded in February that the siege and occupation of the city by the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias showed hallmarks of genocide. The UAE has denied responsibility for any atrocities committed by the group.

The original joint venture was formed by News Corporation.

Under the new arrangement, the UAE partner will assume full ownership of the platform. Sky's executive chair of Sky News Group said the company was proud of the presence built in the region through the partnership. The chief transformation officer at the UAE investment vehicle stated that the partner would now control the platform's future direction.

The decision follows Sky's earlier exit from news operations in Australia, where a licensing agreement was not renewed after Comcast acquired Sky in 2018.