ABU DHABI - CNN Abu Dhabi, officially began operations today following an opening ceremony attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was given a guided tour of the new CNN state-of-the-art facilities by Phil Kent, Chairman and CEO of CNN parent company Turner Broadcasting System, Inc, Tony Maddox, EVP and Managing Director of CNN International and by Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said on Monday that CNN International’s choice of Abu Dhabi for opening a station was yet another proof of the UAE’s respectable position in the world’s political, economic and cultural map.
The new production centre and newsgathering hub for the Middle East will be home to CNN's first ever daily live news show from the region.
The new facility sits alongside CNN's existing 32 international newsgathering operations which also includes three other digital production centres in Hong Kong, London and Mexico City.
CNN Abu Dhabi will coordinate newsgathering for the seven CNN operations in the region: Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Jerusalem, Kabul and Islamabad.
Built as a fully HD and on-line production facility, CNN Abu Dhabi houses a four camera digital studio, with 24/7 live capability, editing suites and fully integrated newsroom.
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