Two of the most influential media entities in the Middle East—BeIN Sports and Al Jazeera—have launched a major internal restructuring that includes widespread staff layoffs. The cuts impact journalists, presenters, producers, and technical crew across multiple departments, as both networks intensify their focus on digital transformation and live content delivery.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that BeIN Sports has dismissed around 200 staff members from a range of departments. The move affects employees from various nationalities and roles, including newsroom personnel, studio technicians, and camera operators.
The company is reportedly moving away from traditional reporting and studio-based production, instead prioritizing direct-to-digital content and live broadcasting, particularly for its sports coverage. This strategic pivot aligns with broader industry trends that favor agile, on-demand media over conventional TV formats.
Several well-known media personalities are said to be among those let go. One of the most prominent is Leila Smati, a veteran Algerian broadcaster known for her longstanding role at Al Jazeera Sports (now BeIN). Smati has hosted flagship programs and covered international tournaments, and her departure—though not officially confirmed—has sparked notable reaction among regional media circles.
Other high-profile exits reportedly include Moheeb Ben Chouikha, Mohannad Al-Jali, and Mohammed Amour, the director of BeIN News. The company has yet to issue a public statement regarding the layoffs or confirm the full list of affected staff.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera has undergone parallel cuts, impacting both its editorial and production teams. According to internal reports, entire program teams such as those behind “Al-Masha’a” were disbanded, with host Jamal Al-Ardhawi and several producers among the names mentioned. Additional layoffs have touched long-running shows like “Bila Hudood” and “The Other Side.”
Reductions have also extended to some of Al Jazeera’s international bureaus, as the network adjusts to a more centralized and digitally focused operating model.