Sky has ended its joint news venture in the United Arab Emirates, stepping away from ownership of Sky News Arabia following criticism over the channel’s coverage of the war in Sudan, including accusations of genocide denial.

The UK-based broadcaster and its UAE partner IMI, the investment arm controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, have agreed a new arrangement under which Sky will give up all strategic and operational control of the Arabic-language 24-hour news channel.

However, Sky has signed a multi-year brand licensing deal allowing the channel to continue operating under the Sky News Arabia name.

Sky News Arabia, based in Abu Dhabi, was launched in 2010 as a competitor to Arabic-language broadcasters including Al Jazeera and the BBC World Service’s Arabic service, and began broadcasting across the Middle East and North Africa in 2012.

Sky News Group executive chair David Rhodes said the decision marked a new phase in the partnership.

“We are proud of what has been built through our partnership with IMI over the years and the significant presence built throughout the region,” he said.

“The time is right for this change, and we look forward to continuing our relationship in the next phase of Sky News Arabia.”

Internally, Sky executives have reportedly grown concerned about the editorial direction of Sky News Arabia, particularly its coverage of atrocities in Sudan linked to the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The channel has been accused by critics of downplaying or denying allegations of genocide.

In November, Sudan’s government banned Sky News Arabia from operating in the country after it aired a report from El Fasher in North Darfur suggesting the humanitarian and security situation had stabilised.

The reporter involved is married to a senior official in the RSF’s parallel administration.

The channel has also published reports questioning satellite imagery and survivor testimony regarding alleged atrocities.

In February, a UN-mandated fact-finding mission said the RSF and allied militias had carried out a siege and prolonged occupation of the city with the “hallmarks of genocide”.

The UAE has denied any involvement in atrocities committed by the RSF.

IMI chief transformation officer Nakhle Elhage said the company would take full control of the platform going forward, describing Sky News Arabia as a major media success in the region with strong reach across television and digital platforms.

The original joint venture was established when News Corporation controlled Sky.

Comcast, which acquired Sky in 2018, later chose not to renew a separate licensing deal for the Sky News brand in Australia, where Sky News Australia is set to rebrand as News24.

A planned global news channel involving Sky and NBC Universal was also scrapped in 2020.