Two of the biggest Arabic news channels live online are Sky News Arabia and Al Arabiya, and both stream free. You can watch Sky News Arabia on skynewsarabia.com, its official YouTube channel and its apps. Al Arabiya streams on alarabiya.net, on YouTube and in the Al Arabiya app, which also carries its sister channel Al Hadath. In the UK, Al Arabiya is on Freeview as a streamed channel. This guide explains who runs each channel and every official way to watch, as of October 2026.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Sky News Arabia streams free on skynewsarabia.com, YouTube and its apps.
- Al Arabiya streams free on alarabiya.net, YouTube and its app, which also carries Al Hadath.
- In the UK, Al Arabiya is on Freeview as a streamed channel.
Two Arabic news channels live from the Gulf
Sky News Arabia and Al Arabiya are 24-hour Arabic-language news channels. Both cover the Middle East and North Africa first, with world news alongside. They are run from different Gulf states and have different owners, which is useful context when you compare their coverage.
Both are major Arabic news channels live around the clock from the Gulf.
| Sky News Arabia | Al Arabiya | |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | May 6, 2012 | March 3, 2003 |
| Base | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (moved from Dubai) |
| Owner | International Media Investments (IMI), UAE | MBC Group |
| Sister channels | Sky News Arabia radio | Al Hadath, Al Arabiya Business, Al Arabiya FM |
| English output | Arabic only on TV | Al Arabiya English website and video |
| Free official livestream | Yes | Yes |
Sky News Arabia: background
Sky News Arabia went on air in May 2012 from the twofour54 media zone in Abu Dhabi. It started as a 50/50 joint venture between Sky and International Media Investments (IMI), a UAE company linked to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
That arrangement changed in 2026. On June 1, 2026, Broadband TV News reported that Sky had left the venture and IMI had taken full ownership and control. The channel keeps the Sky News Arabia name through a long-term brand licence. The exit followed months of scrutiny of the channel’s coverage of Sudan’s civil war, and Sudanese authorities had suspended the channel’s operations in the country. It also came during a wider review of Sky’s brand partnerships under its owner, Comcast.
Sky News Arabia continues to broadcast. Its schedule includes daily news shows such as Al-Sabah (morning), Al-Dhahira (midday) and Radar, which airs Sunday to Thursday at 6pm Abu Dhabi time. Weekly programmes include the interview show The Hard Question and the geopolitics show On the Map. Times can change, so check the channel’s broadcast guide.
Al Arabiya: background
Al Arabiya began broadcasting in March 2003 from Dubai Media City. It belongs to MBC Group, the large Saudi media company that also runs the MBC entertainment channels. In 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took a 54% stake in MBC Group. Al Arabiya’s operations moved from Dubai to Riyadh, a move completed in July 2025.
Because of its Saudi ownership, Al Arabiya is widely described as reflecting Saudi perspectives. Some governments in the region have restricted its reporting at times. The channel has also received journalism awards, including a 2023 Telly Award for its long-running investigative show Special Mission.
Al Hadath, launched in 2012, is Al Arabiya’s sister channel. It focuses on politics and breaking news. Al Arabiya also runs an English-language news site, Al Arabiya English, with its own video programmes such as Global News Today and Riz Khan.
How to watch Arabic news channels live
Here are the official routes for each channel. All of the online options below are free from the broadcasters themselves.
Online streams are the easiest way to watch these Arabic news channels live from anywhere.
| Option | Sky News Arabia | Al Arabiya |
|---|---|---|
| Official website | skynewsarabia.com livestream page | alarabiya.net live page; Al Hadath has its own page |
| YouTube | @SkyNewsArabia | @alarabiya, plus @alhadath for Al Hadath |
| Phone apps | Sky News Arabia app (iOS, Android) | Al Arabiya app (iOS, Android) |
| TV apps | Sky News Arabia TV (Apple TV, Android TV) | Use YouTube or cast from the phone app |
| UK Freeview | Not listed | Channel 261 (streamed, needs internet) |
| Satellite (MENA) | Free to air on Nilesat and Arabsat | Free to air on Nilesat and Arabsat |
Watching Sky News Arabia
The Sky News Arabia livestream page plays the channel 24 hours a day. It also links to the official apps and social accounts. The Sky News Arabia app on Google Play lets you watch the live TV channel and listen to its radio station.
For the big screen, the developer publishes a separate Sky News Arabia TV app for Apple TV and Android TV, with a live stream and live radio. On any other smart TV, the official YouTube channel is the simplest choice.
Sky News Arabia has also been listed on Sky in the UK and Ireland and on myTV in North America and Australia. Check your provider’s current line-up, as carriage can change.
Watching Al Arabiya and Al Hadath
Al Arabiya’s live page on alarabiya.net plays the main channel. Al Hadath has its own live page on the same site. The Al Arabiya app on Google Play streams Al Arabiya, Al Hadath, Al Arabiya Business and Al Arabiya FM in one place. It shows ads.
English speakers can use the Al Arabiya English livestream page, which points to the AlArabiyaEnglish YouTube channel and the network’s apps. Al Arabiya English is a separate service from the Arabic TV channel, so expect different programmes.
In the UK, Al Arabiya joined Freeview as a streamed channel in March 2022. According to RXTV’s Freeview change log, it moved to channel 261 in August 2024. You need an internet-connected TV that supports Freeview Play to watch it there.
Coming soon: the NewsLive streaming app. We’re building one subscription for live international news on Android, Roku, Fire TV and desktop. The service is under development — follow NewsLive for launch updates.
Satellite: Arabic news channels live in the Middle East and North Africa
Across the Arab world, most viewers still watch both channels by satellite. Sky News Arabia and Al Arabiya are free to air on Nilesat and Arabsat, the two main satellite systems for the region. Frequencies sometimes change when channels move transponders. Sky News Arabia lists its frequencies on its website. For either channel, check a current listing before you rescan your receiver.
Satellite remains a common way to watch Arabic news channels live in the region.
Outside the region, satellite reception is less practical. Online streaming is usually the best route for viewers in Europe, North America and Asia.
Other Arabic news channels live online
Sky News Arabia and Al Arabiya are only part of the picture. Several other Arabic-language news channels also stream officially online.
You can also stream several of these Arabic news channels live online.
- Al Jazeera Arabic. The Qatar-based network’s Arabic channel streams free and is on UK Freeview channel 252. Its English sister channel is covered in our Al Jazeera English live guide.
- Asharq News. A Saudi-owned news channel that has also streamed on UK Freeview.
- Alaraby TV. A London-based Arabic channel, also listed as a streamed Freeview channel in the UK.
If you live in Britain or North America, our guide on how to watch Arabic news in the UK and US goes into more detail on local TV options.
Tips for watching Arabic news channels live on a TV or phone
These tips help when you watch Arabic news channels live on a TV or phone.
- Choose the right YouTube channel. Both broadcasters run several channels. Look for the verified main channel with the live badge, not clip channels.
- Use one app for several channels. The Al Arabiya app saves switching between Al Arabiya, Al Hadath and Al Arabiya Business.
- Cast to the TV. If your TV lacks an official app, start the stream on your phone and cast it with Chromecast or AirPlay. Our smart TV live news guide covers this step by step.
- Avoid unofficial streams. The broadcasters’ own streams are free, so there is no reason to risk low-quality copies or malware.
See also: what is at stake in the 2026 Israel vote.
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch Sky News Arabia live for free?
Yes. Sky News Arabia streams free on skynewsarabia.com, its official YouTube channel and its apps. In the Middle East and North Africa, it is also free to air by satellite.
Is Al Arabiya the same as Al Hadath?
No. They are sister channels from the same network. Al Arabiya is the main news channel, and Al Hadath focuses on politics and breaking news. The Al Arabiya app streams both.
Who owns Sky News Arabia now?
Since June 2026, International Media Investments (IMI) of the UAE owns it outright. Sky left the joint venture but licensed the Sky News Arabia name, so the brand continues.
Who owns Al Arabiya?
Al Arabiya belongs to MBC Group. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund holds a 54% stake in MBC Group after a 2025 deal. The channel is now based in Riyadh.
Is there an English version of Al Arabiya?
Yes. Al Arabiya English runs a news website with its own video programmes and a livestream page. The main Al Arabiya TV channel broadcasts in Arabic.
How can I watch Al Arabiya and other Arabic news channels live in the UK?
You can stream it on alarabiya.net, YouTube or the app. On an internet-connected Freeview Play TV, it is on channel 261. Channel numbers change, so check the Freeview guide if it has moved.
Sources
- Sky News Arabia: Livestream
- Sky News Arabia: Programmes
- Broadband TV News: Sky exits Sky News Arabia joint venture as IMI takes control
- Sky News Arabia on Google Play
- Sky News Arabia TV on the App Store (Apple TV)
- Al Arabiya: Live stream
- Al Arabiya English: Livestream
- Al Arabiya English: Web TV programmes
- Al Arabiya on Google Play
- RXTV: Freeview updates 2022–2024
- Wikipedia: Sky News Arabia
- Wikipedia: Al Arabiya
