CNN launches new operation in Qatar amid regional rivalry: What we know

The CNN news network announced Sunday its plan to open a new operation in Qatar, a significant move to increase its presence in the Middle East, and expand Doha's reach as one of media hubs in the region. 

The move comes under an agreement signed between CNN and Media City Qatar, a Doha-based global hub for media companies, during a ceremony held in Doha on Sunday. Executive Vice President of CNN International Commercial Phil Nelson, Media City Qatar chairman Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani and Media City Qatar CEO Jassim Al-Khori were among those who attended the signing ceremony. 

“CNN is expanding its footprint in the Middle East through the creation of a new operation in the State of Qatar as part of CNN’s broader strategy to deepen its global and regional content creation capabilities,” the network said in a press release on Sunday.

The new CNN operation will be based in Media City Qatar and is expected to begin broadcasting in the second half of 2025. According to the press release, CNN content creators will produce digital and social media content while also developing an “innovative” weekly show for CNN International. CNN will also offer journalism and production training to students and young media professionals in Qatar. CNN did not add more details on its operations from Qatar. But last month, CNN CEO Mark Thompson announced the network’s plan to launch its digital-first operation.

In addition to content creation, CNN’s new presence in Qatar will provide the network “with additional resource in the Gulf and Middle East at a time when the region is central to the global news agenda — from coverage of geopolitics and breaking news through to stories on business, technology, sport, culture and travel,” CNN said in its Sunday press release.

The Qatar-based operation is expected to complement CNN’s existing hubs in the Middle East and North Africa region. The US-headquartered news network also has a presence in Dubai, which houses CNN Arabic. It also operates bureaus in Cairo, Beirut, Jerusalem and Istanbul.

In a statement on X Monday, Media City Qatar hailed the “significant move” that “reinforces Qatar’s role as a regional media hub” adding, “CNN will amplify voices from the Middle East, creating impactful content.”

“This expansion signals the continued growth of Qatar’s strategic role in shaping global conversations from the heart of the Middle East,” Sheikh Abdulla said in the CNN press release.

Qatar established itself as a key media hub in the region following the launch of Al Jazeera in 1996, one of the most prominent and largest Arab news networks in the region. The Qatari state-owned channel, which expanded its operations in 2006 with the launch of Al Jazeera English, reaches 270 million households in more than 140 countries and operates over 70 bureaus with 3,000 staff members worldwide, according to the network. In contrast, Qatar’s Gulf neighbors including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates host other news outlets. In addition to CNN, the UAE is also home to Sky News Arabia. The Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya channel, Al Jazeera’s main competitor in the region, relocated its headquarters to Riyadh in 2021.

Qatar established Media City Qatar in 2019 “with the aim of driving growth in the media industry and contributing to Qatar’s economic diversification,” according to its website.

Since its founding, Media City Qatar has attracted over 33 international and regional news outlets, according to the US-Qatar Business Council, including the pan-European television news network Euronews, which opened a regional office and a media academy in the city in 2021.