CNN International set to start Abu Dhabi operation

BREAKING NEWS: CNN is to start live daily broadcasts from new facilities in Abu Dhabi.

CNN International is to start broadcasting live daily news programming from a new broadcast facility in Abu Dhabi.

This landmark move signals the global network’s commitment to the Middle East and marks CNN’s first regularly scheduled daily live show from the region.

CNN's announcement is part of Abu Dhabi's plans to establish a regional multi-media centre to train, develop and promote Arab talent in journalism, broadcasting, film-making and publishing.

Twofour54 has so far attracted global media and production companies, including CNN, BBC, the Financial Times, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Thomson Foundation, Random House, Harper Collins, Rotana Studios and C Sky pictures.

"With twofour54 we are launching a major initiative that will encourage, stimulate and support Arabic content creation by Arabs in the Arab world, embracing films, television and music through to animation, digital media and art," said Tony Ortsen, CEO of twofour54.

The government-sponsored company, built on a 200,000-square-metre waterfront site, is due to open in 2009. It will house studios, production and training facilities and provide funding for new media businesses.

CNN’s new broadcast and production centre is set to open in the Abu Dhabi Media Zone in early 2009 and will add to CNN’s existing representation in the region which currently comprises news operations in Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai and Jerusalem.

CNN’s Abu Dhabi operation complements its ongoing presence in Dubai and will be a fourth international broadcast centre alongside the existing facilities in London, Hong Kong and Mexico City; and US production centres in Atlanta, Washington DC, New York and Los Angeles.

“Our UAE expansion is one of our boldest editorial undertakings of recent years and one that builds on our existing newsgathering heritage in the region,” said Tony Maddox, MD CNN International.

In addition to the launch of live daily news programming, CNN will also move the production of its popular Middle East focused feature shows ‘Inside the Middle East’ and ‘Marketplace Middle East’ to the UAE.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the world's fifth-largest oil exporter, has over the past decade poured money into its fast-growing economy, launching multi-billion real estate and finance projects. But it recently began targeting a share in the media industry.

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