Abu Dhabi, 5 May 2012 (WAM) - Sky News Arabia, the 24-hour Arabic language breaking news channel, goes live across the Middle East and North Africa tomorrow at 20:00 UAE time, (19:00 Mecca, 18:00 Cairo, 16:00 GMT).

Nart Bouran, Head of Sky News Arabia said: "The Sky News Arabia team have worked hard for nearly two years to create an independent, 24-hour, Arabic-language multi-media news platform. I am confident we will break new ground and set a new benchmark for news coverage in the Arab world. I encourage viewers to tune in for our inaugural broadcast at 8pm UAE time on Sunday and to join us in shaping the future of Arab news." The channel will broadcast free-to-air on Transponder 15 on Arabsat Badr 4, Transponder 14 on Nilesat 201. It can also be viewed on du IPTV channel 16, Etisalat e-Life channel 234, channel 122 in high definition and channel 123 in standard definition on the OSN pay-TV platform as well as in high definition on the Abu Dhabi TV network.

The integrated news channel will broadcast across multiple platforms including TV, mobile, tablet and online from its state of the art newsroom in Abu Dhabi, offering regional viewers the opportunity to consume fast-paced and independent news wherever and whenever they want.

The website, www.skynewsarabia .com, which launched in BETA form in February, will be fully completed and will include key features such as video, blogs, interactive news maps, analysis and commentary, photo galleries as well as user generated content.

Chairman of Sky News Arabia, Dr Sultan Al Jaber said: "Sky News Arabia will prove to be a truly unique experience for the new Arab generation - offering them the highest standards in technology, coupled with fresh original news from across the world." "I believe that from tonight at 8:00pm viewers across the Middle East and North Africa will experience a new standard for consuming news in the region." A joint venture between Abu Dhabi Media Investment Company (ADMIC) and the UK's leading pay TV platform, BSkyB, Sky News Arabia will fulfill the need for a truly independent news channel.

WAM/MAB