The Alarab news channel will be recruiting 300 employees before it goes live early next year. The channel, which is backed by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, will broadcast from Bahrain. "From tonight, the countdown starts for our launch," said Jamal Khashoggi, the manager of Alarab at the Arab Media Forum in Dubai. "From 10 months to a year, Alarab will be on the air."

According to several sources, Bahrain is in the final stages of launching its first media city. Information Affairs Authority (IAA) president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa confirmed the news by saying "we are finalizing laws to govern such an establishment in Bahrain,". Shaikh Fawaz also revealed that a budget has been allocated to set up Bahrain's first 'Press Club', which is expected to launch next year. "It will serve journalists and media figures. We have allocated the required budget and expect the Press Club to be functional by next year."

Alarab, a television news station being launched by Saudi Arabian prince Alwaleed bin Talal, will be based in Bahrain. It was previously announced that the station would be based in either Bahrain or Dubai. Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, president of Bahrain's Information Affairs Authority confirmed that "the IAA reached an agreement on December 12 to launch Alarab news channel from Manama".

Bahrain has made several agreements with international audio-visual companies to improve local skills and enhance the media landscape in Bahrain. The argreements were made with the Institut National de l’Audiovisuel, the Broadcasting Board of Governors for Voice of America, and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 

A Pan Arab Research Centre study reports a notable decline in the region's advertising market except for Saudi Arabia and Lebanon where spending has increased, with a record of 8% and 3% respectively.