Founded in 2003 and based in Dubai, UAE, Al Arabiya has become one of the leading news channels in the Arab world, offering a wide range of content that spans hourly news, business, sports, talk shows, and documentaries.
In 2012, Al Hadath was launched as a sister channel dedicated exclusively to political news. Together, the two channels provide comprehensive coverage of regional and global events. With a reputation for delivering fast, accurate news, Al Arabiya is trusted by millions across the Middle East and beyond.
The Challenge
As part of its ongoing expansion, Al Arabiya recently embarked on a bold new project to build a state-of-the-art studio for Al Hadath in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, ensuring they continue to lead the way in news broadcasting.
The team faced a significant challenge with an ambitious eight-month deadline before the studio launched, and an innovative studio design concept that included some of the longest U and L shape Furio camera rails in the world.
The Solution
Al Arabiya turned to Ross Video and long-time systems integration partner, First Gulf Company, to bring this vision to life.
Their relationship with Ross dates to 2007 when they first invested in a Ross Video HD vision mixer. Since then, Al Arabiya has relied on Ross for various broadcast solutions, including the installation of ten free-roaming CamBot pedestals at their main Dubai studio in 2019.
For the new studio in Riyadh, Ross provided five Furio rail-based robotic camera systems, along with three CamBots, which offered the precision and flexibility Al Arabiya needed. The Furio systems were installed on rails stretching over 40 meters, in U and L shapes, making it the first installation of its kind in the region. The setup required careful planning and precise installation due to the studio floor’s incredibly tight elevation.
“The Ross team put in countless hours. They spared no effort executing the design and mitigating risks to make sure everything worked perfectly.”
Raed Bacho
Senior Broadcast Manager — Al Arabiya
The Impact
Founded in 2003 and based in Dubai, UAE, Al Arabiya has become one of the leading news channels in the Arab world, offering a wide range of content that spans hourly news, business, sports, talk shows, and documentaries.
The new Al Hadath studio in Riyadh is one of the most advanced news production spaces in the world and has set a new benchmark for studio design. The new integrated camera robotics system enables them to automate a wide range of dynamic shots with pinpoint accuracy, delivering a level of broadcast quality that sets them apart from most modern studios.
Beyond the technical achievements, the studio’s success came down to teamwork. “The dedication and mutual cooperation among all stakeholders were key to hitting our deadlines and meeting the management’s vision,” said Raed Bacho, Senior Broadcast Manager at Al Arabiya.
Working closely with Ross Video and their system integrator partner, First Gulf Company (FGC), Al Arabiya/Al Hadath has built an industry-leading studio on a highly challenging timeline, elevating their news production capabilities for years to come.
“When it comes to challenges, Ross Video is where you go. Their knowledge, experience, and responsiveness made all the difference and added value to bringing our vision to life.”
Raed Bacho
Senior Broadcast Manager — Al Arabiya