Financial crisis forces mass layoffs and closures at Brotherhood-linked TV channels abroad

Sources have revealed that the management of several TV channels and platforms affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and broadcasting from outside Egypt are facing severe financial crises, prompting sweeping cost-cutting measures, layoffs of around 80% of presenters and staff, and the closure of several offices and headquarters.

According to Al Arabiya, leading these channels and platforms are Al Sharq, Mekameleen, Al Hiwar, and the Rassd network, in addition to similar decisions implemented weeks ago at Watan and Misk channels.

The sources added that these organizations have notified a large number of employees that their contracts have ended, with overdue salaries for the past three months being paid, and a commitment to pay end-of-service benefits within one or two months, depending on available funds.

Some of these platforms have also closed several offices, including Rassd's office in Istanbul and Al Hiwar channel, which broadcasts from London, after an independent media company successfully purchased its premises and studios.

As part of the cost-cutting measures, the management of these channels decided to retain only two presenters and their teams, letting go of the rest of the staff. They have also paid satellite and frequency rental fees through the end of this year, hoping the financial situation will improve, according to the sources.

If no financial breakthrough occurs in the coming period, these channels may be forced to shut down completely by the end of December, maintaining only a presence on social media platforms.

The sources indicated that funding channels linked to Brotherhood-affiliated media have faced ongoing disruptions in recent years, with the crisis worsening as financiers withheld new support, coinciding with the declining influence of these platforms and restrictions imposed on some companies and financial networks associated with the group.

The sources, as cited by Al Arabiya, added that the situation has become more complicated due to the fallout from the conflict with Iran and measures following the US decision to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, which tightened restrictions on investment networks and companies that previously funded these media outlets.

In an attempt to adapt to shrinking resources, the management of these channels is shifting focus to a stronger digital presence on social media, producing lower-cost content that can attract alternative advertising revenue.

Sources noted that several presenters at these channels have begun seeking job opportunities with Brotherhood-affiliated companies in Turkey, the UK, Italy, and Bosnia.

The current crisis is the latest in a series of developments affecting the Brotherhood's media sector in recent years, beginning when Turkish authorities required the group's platforms to halt political programming targeting Egypt and imposed restrictions on their content and messaging, prompting several channels to restructure their programming and change the nature of their activities.