Asharq News Redefines Immersive Journalism with Virtual Studio and Augmented Reality

Asharq News has set a new global benchmark for how virtual and physical can coexist to deliver high-impact news. By leveraging set extension and real-time data integration of virtual studio production, the network has reached new levels of storytelling and recognition. Here’s the story of how Asharq News transformed broadcast journalism with Zero Density’s virtual studio solutions.

Asharq News launched four years ago with a clear vision: to engage a younger audience through a highly data-driven approach. Since its inception, the network has transitioned from simply adopting new technologies to setting a world-class standard in broadcast innovation, utilizing specialized studios and robotic cameras to bring complex stories to life.

This commitment to immersive storytelling reached a global peak with their U.S. election coverage. By utilizing cutting-edge AR for open-sky graphics and a fully virtual set, the network delivered a unique view of the event, capturing key moments from coast to coast and featuring iconic landmarks. This massive undertaking involved more than 1,043 templates, and set extensions covering all 50 American states alongside major Arab and European capitals, representing a scale of election coverage never seen before.

“We knew we wanted to engage a much younger audience. We knew we wanted to be very data-driven. So we embarked on new technologies to achieve that goal. And virtual production was a huge part of that.”

Steven Cheak, Director of Brand and Creative, Asharq News

Bridging Complexity and Clarity

The primary challenge for Asharq News was creating a visual language that resonated with a tech-savvy demographic. The goal for virtual stories—particularly in energy and technology segments like award-winning TAQA+ and TECH+—is to make complex information as easy to digest as possible. By placing 3D objects directly in the virtual set, presenters can interact with the content, making the storytelling more informative than traditional video or images.

The final outcome of these productions often provides an entertaining and rewarding experience for the talent involved. The technology allows presenters to see themselves in surprising and innovative situations that they hadn’t expected during filming, creating a sense of accomplishment in how the content is delivered to the viewer.

A Cutting-Edge Technical Ecosystem

Asharq News operates three studios equipped with Zero Density’s technologies, utilizing Reality 5, which allows the team to meet very short deadlines and go on-air comfortably. This shift is driven by creative ideas from the editorial team, where the flexibility of Reality 5 allows the graphics department to focus on the photorealistic details that make their vision stand out.

“Reality 5 gives me flexibility and all the control to create my vision… Photorealism for our work is something too important. Starting from just focusing on the details, because the details make it different.”

Mohsen Serry, Assistant Graphics Manager, Asharq News

The U.S. Elections Coverage

The recent U.S. Election coverage served as a landmark project for Asharq News, representing an impressive and elegant use of the system’s unlimited potential. The network created an “extension studio” featuring virtual environments for the White House and Congressional races, ensuring the broadcast remained editorially appropriate while providing a massive visual impact backed with real-time data using Reality Hub.

When you want to tell stories based on large data sets, Reality Hub is your go-to solution to integrate data sources to make them a visual spectacle. Reality Hub integrates with data and statistics providers that drive template-based graphics to elevate the storytelling of election coverage.

“We were able to showcase all 50 states with Trump and Harris and the results of each state in what we call full-frame AR. This was extremely well-received. It made us look extremely different.”

Steven Cheak, Director of Brand and Creative, Asharq News

Setting a World-Class Standard

In just four years, Asharq News has grown to a team of 37 specialists. Their commitment to immersive storytelling has earned them 117 total awards, including the prestigious Channel of the Year at the Telly Awards. While the technical variations are many, the core objective remains engaging the audience through efficient and high-quality storytelling that pushes the envelope of traditional broadcasting.

“In terms of finding the right partner to support your vision, it is extremely important to make sure that your partner is at the cutting-edge of that technology… our experience with Zero Density has been a very positive one. We’ve always got the support we needed.”

Steven Cheak, Director of Brand and Creative, Asharq News

As the network looks toward 2028 and beyond, the focus remains on real-time data-driven graphics. This successful four-year journey demonstrates that with the right talent and a partner at the forefront of technology, the future of immersive journalism is within reach.

As of the writing of this post, the Asharq News x Zero Density partnership was taking place at the network’s Dubai office, but the Riyadh office has also entered the world of virtual studio production, with Zero Density by its side.

Zero Density develops virtual production and broadcast graphics solutions trusted by the world’s leading broadcasters — including ABC, CBS, Charter Communications, FOX, The Weather Channel and Univision. Its flagship platform, Reality 5, powers real-time virtual studios, augmented and extended reality productions, and on-air graphics. Complemented by the Traxis tracking platform and EVO engine hardware series, Zero Density’s end-to-end ecosystem gives production teams the tools to realize their most ambitious creative visions in real time, without compromise.

Asharq News, launched on 11.11.2020, is a 24/7, multiplatform Arabic news service reaching across the Arab world and beyond with a unique approach: news and in-depth analysis reported through the prism of the economy to empower people in their everyday lives.

The Asharq News experience is delivered through a dedicated television channel, as well as multiple digital platforms, offering continuous insights into the people, events, organisations and ideas that impact the MENA region and international markets.