The newly integrated camera robotics system enables the studio to automate a wide range of shots with pinpoint accuracy.
News broadcaster Al Arabiya has built a new studio for its sister channel Al Hadath, relying on advanced camera robotics from Ross Video to bring the project to life.
Al Hadath is primarily dedicated exclusively to political reporting and the two channels together reach millions of viewers across the Middle East and beyond.
As part of a strategic expansion, Al Arabiya recently developed a state-of-the-art studio for Al Hadath in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. The project reportedly features some of the longest U- and L-shaped Furio camera rails ever installed. With only eight months to complete the project, the channel partnered with Ross Video and its long-time systems integrator, First Gulf Company, to deliver the vision on schedule.
Al Arabiya’s relationship with Ross Video stretches back nearly two decades, beginning with the adoption of a Ross HD vision mixer in 2007. In 2019, the network further upgraded its Dubai headquarters with ten free-roaming CamBot pedestals, cementing Ross as a trusted technology partner.
For the new Riyadh facility, Ross provided five Furio rail-based robotic camera systems and three CamBot pedestals, ensuring the production team could achieve highly dynamic and automated camera movements with good precision. The Furio rails, spanning more than 40 metres in intricate U and L configurations, represent the first installation of their kind in the region and required careful planning due to the studio’s tight elevation constraints.
Speaking about the project, Raed Bacho, Senior Broadcast Manager at Al Arabiya, said: “The Ross team put in countless hours. They spared no effort executing the design and mitigating risks to make sure everything worked perfectly. The new studio has quickly been recognised as one of the most advanced news production environments in the world, setting a benchmark for broadcast automation and visual storytelling.”
Bacho also credited Ross Video’s expertise and responsiveness as a key reason for choosing the company’s solutions. “When it comes to challenges, Ross Video is where you go. Their knowledge, experience and responsiveness made all the difference and added value to bringing our vision to life.”
