CNN announced that it is doubling the number of hours it will broadcast live from its Middle East hub at twofour54 Abu Dhabi, a decision that H.E. Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Vice-Chair of twofour54, described as “indicative of the incredible growth the Emirate’s media industry is witnessing”.
In an announcement about increasing its international programming, the global news giant said it will double the number of hours it broadcasts from twofour54 from 5 to 10 per week. This will see the channel’s flagship Middle East news programme, ‘Connect the World’, increase from one hour a day to two. The show is broadcast Sunday to Thursday at 7pm UAE time.
‘Connect the World’, which is hosted by Becky Anderson, Managing Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi, is broadcast live from CNN’s studios at twofour54, which became the channel’s fourth global broadcasting hub when the facility opened in 2009.
H.E. Maryam Eid AlMheiri said: “I would like to congratulate the team at CNN Abu Dhabi on expanding their live broadcast. We are proud that our Emirate is such an integral part of ‘Connect the World’ and is showcased to all the viewers around the world who tune in to watch.
“CNN has played a vital role in the growth of Abu Dhabi’s media sector over the past decade, helping to develop talent and create jobs. It has also shared our nation’s inspirational success stories with the world, creating first-class content right from the heart of Abu Dhabi’s creative industries.
“I believe a decision by a news organisation of its size and calibre to increase programming is indicative of the incredible growth the Emirate’s media industry is witnessing, as well the vast potential our region offers to media firms around the world.”
twofour54 was established as Abu Dhabi’s home for content creators, with the aim of growing the media industry in the UAE through the creation of an ecosystem where people are empowered to innovate, collaborate, and create.
Becky Anderson, Anchor & Managing Editor of CNN Abu Dhabi, said: “CNN Abu Dhabi has evolved into one of the key newsgathering and programming hubs for the entire CNN network, and that in no small part is testament to the support of the burgeoning media community here in the UAE. It has been a privilege to play a part in that community, and to bring stories from this region to the world from Abu Dhabi. We are thrilled that our presence here is growing, and looking forward to playing an even bigger role in CNN’s international coverage.”
Supporting the creation of quality content is an integral part of twofour54’s mission to grow the creative industries in Abu Dhabi. As a media free zone, it provides the infrastructure and services to attract international, regional and local media businesses to the emirate. twofour54 offers everything they need, from world-class production facilities and talent development initiatives to business support services. This is why more than 470 media companies already call twofour54 home.
Its efforts in helping to develop the broadcast sector were recognised last year when the media zone was named ‘Broadcast Services Provider of the Year’ by BroadcastPro at the publication’s annual awards.