UK-based Sky News Group concludes venture with UAE International Media Investments

The partnership started in 2010 when Sky News Group and IMI teamed up to create Sky News Arabia as a fresh Arabic-language TV news option.

A reporter for Sky News Arabia television channel speaks before the camera from the media centre set up for the 2025 ArabIslamic extraordinary summit in Doha on September 15, 2025.

(photo credit: MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)

ByASHER SMITH

JUNE 4, 2026 08:10

The UK's Sky News Group has concluded its collaborative news project with International Media Investments (IMI) based in the United Arab Emirates, following concerns over IMI's handling of reports on Sudan's ongoing civil conflict.

IMI operates under the control of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who serves as vice president of the UAE and owns Manchester City Football Club.

IMI and Sky News have formed a fresh commercial arrangement under which the UK broadcaster will give up all operational control and ownership of Sky News Arabia, covering the full 24-hour Arabic news cycle and current affairs programming.

Under the updated agreement, Sky News keeps a multi-year brand licensing arrangement that permits Sky News Arabia to retain its name, although the UK outlet will no longer manage operations based in Abu Dhabi.

This arrangement ends a joint effort that launched in 2010, when Sky News Group and IMI combined resources to introduce Sky News Arabia as an alternative Arabic-language TV news channel competing with Al Jazeera and the BBC World Service Arabic service.

"The time is right for this change, and we look forward to continuing our relationship in the next phase of Sky News Arabia," David Rhodes, executive chairman of Sky News Group, said in a statement.

IMI described the updated agreement as evidence of Sky News Arabic's growth into a mature regional media outlet and noted it would support further expansion and innovation under unified ownership.

Concerns over Sudan reporting

Sky News leaders had grown increasingly worried about the editorial approach and regional coverage of Sky News Arabia, based on accounts from The Guardian.

Reporting on Sudan's civil war by Sky News Arabia drew criticism for downplaying actions described as genocide by the UAE-supported paramilitary force known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

UAE officials have maintained their denial of any ties to the RSF.

In November, the Sudanese government prohibited the channel from operating within its borders after Sky News Arabia journalists stated that security and humanitarian conditions in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur state, had stabilized. Other reports indicated the RSF had caused widespread displacement through a prolonged siege and takeover of El Fasher.

The Guardian also noted that the Sky News Arabia journalist in North Darfur was married to an RSF government official.

Sky News Arabia: Limited proof of RSF actions

The channel released reports indicating a lack of on-site evidence to support claims of atrocities by the RSF in Western Sudan.

In February, a UN fact-finding mission to Sudan determined that the siege, capture, and 18-month occupation of El Fasher by the RSF specifically targeted ethnic minorities and carried signs of genocide.

The UAE has rejected any role in the reported actions by the RSF in Sudan.