The capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is well set to become a key player in the worldwide media industry. The plans to invest in media, aviation and chip making as a diversification from its oil wealth seems to be working admirably, as a lot of media companies have expressed interest in setting up operations here, some as regional headquarters for the Middle East.

Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Media Summit in March 2010, the founder of News Corp, Rupert Murdoch expressed admiration for the city, its infrastructural capabilities and the potential of its Arab population. He further stated that he was willing to move his company’s global online advertising operations from Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi, as well as relocate a number of satellite television channels. News Corp would also establish a production office for one of its documentary film making companies in Abu Dhabi.

All this is welcome news for anyone connected with the media and online advertising industry as it means jobs and careers. In fact, Murdoch’s News Corp has already established strong links with Abu Dhabi, having agreed in February 2010 on an investment of 70 million dollars in the Rotana Group, controlled by Saudi tycoon Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. News Corp has purchased a 9.0 percent stake in the Rotana Group. In comparison, Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom holding company owns about 7.0 percent of News Corp’s class B common stock.

News Corp also owns the Fox International news channel. Fox’s Chief Executive, David Haslingden sees the deal as a further step in the two-year-old program of building up their business in the Middle East region. The planned moves will be in partnership with Abu Dhabi's twofour54, the Government-controlled media entity. Meanwhile National Geographic Channel and Fox Sports are already being broadcast in the Middle East. The Arab region's large and growing youth population, strong economic-growth prospects and the relatively undeveloped media industry attracts media companies to this area of the world.