Al Arabiya completes relocation from UAE to Saudi capital Riyadh

Al-Arabiya media network announced on Sunday that it had completed its relocation from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, with all editorial, administrative, and operational activities now based in Riyadh.

Al-Arabiya Network, which includes the Al Hadath and Al-Arabiya news channels, will be based in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, with Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari visiting the headquarters on Sunday.

The move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's mission to diversify the Saudi economy and build a media hub in the capital, amid a massive expansion of the kingdom's infrastructure, including the NEOM megacity.

The surprise move came in 2021 when the crown prince reportedly ordered state-owned media companies to relocate to Saudi Arabia with a staggered shift by the major broadcasters such as Al Arabiya Network to Riyadh. Al Hadath channel finalised its move to Riyadh in November 2023.

Mamdouh AlMuhaini, General Manager of Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, said the shift to Riyadh was a "defining moment and a qualitative transformation that places Al Arabiya at the heart of the political and economic scene in the region, contributing to the network's growth in the coming years", the network said in a statement.

Much of Saudi media was based in the UAE, mostly in Dubai Media City, before MbS ordered state enterprises to relocate to the kingdom as part of his Vision 2030 diversification programme.

MbS also ordered businesses that receive Saudi state funds to base themselves in the kingdom.

MBC has also relocated from Dubai to Riyadh Media City, with a new headquarters for the pan-Arab broadcaster planned at the Diriyah mega-project, which will include a business hub for the region's technology, media, arts and education sectors.

Saudi Arabia has also expanded its media presence with the Shahid streaming service and buying a stake in the DAZN sports and entertainment platform.