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m The original article cites the New York Magazine article. The article has been corrected to reflect that Al Jazeera America is not located inside The New Yorker Hotel. The correction is at the end of the article. Additional sources have also been added.
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'''Al Jazeera America''' is the name of an upcoming American [[cable news]] channel to be launched in the [[United States]] by the [[Qatar]]-based television network [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] in 2013.<ref name=announcement>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeerausannouncement.com|title=AL JAZEERA TO START NEW U.S.-BASED NEWS CHANNEL|date=January 2, 2013|work=Al Jazeera|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DOQkfDdQ|archivedate=January 3, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> It was announced on January 2, 2013, along with the announcement that the network had purchased the [[American progressive]] [[mass media|media]] company [[Current TV]], which had been struggling in ratings and announced in October 2012 that it was considering selling itself.<ref name=reutersann/> Al Jazeera plans on shutting down the Current TV channel, keeping its off-air staff and possibly some programs and using the company's distribution network to broadcast Al Jazeera America.<ref name=announcement/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/03/news/al-jazeera-current|title=Al Jazeera buys Current TV, will launch new channel|last=Riley|first=Charles|work=CNN|date=January 3, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> The channel will directly compete with [[Cable News Network|CNN]], [[MSNBC]], [[Fox News Channel]] and in certain markets [[RT (TV network)|RT]]. This will be Al Jazeera's second entry into the U.S. television market after the launch of [[beIN Sport]] which launched in 2012 and is joint owned by [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] and [[Turner Broadcasting System]] a subsidiary of [[Time Warner]].
'''Al Jazeera America''' is the name of an upcoming American [[cable news]] channel to be launched in the [[United States]] by the [[Qatar]]-based television network [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] in 2013.<ref name=announcement>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeerausannouncement.com|title=AL JAZEERA TO START NEW U.S.-BASED NEWS CHANNEL|date=January 2, 2013|work=Al Jazeera|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DOQkfDdQ|archivedate=January 3, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> It was announced on January 2, 2013, along with the announcement that the network had purchased the [[American progressive]] [[mass media|media]] company [[Current TV]], which had been struggling in ratings and announced in October 2012 that it was considering selling itself.<ref name=reutersann/> Al Jazeera plans on shutting down the Current TV channel, keeping its off-air staff and possibly some programs and using the company's distribution network to broadcast Al Jazeera America.<ref name=announcement/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/03/news/al-jazeera-current|title=Al Jazeera buys Current TV, will launch new channel|last=Riley|first=Charles|work=CNN|date=January 3, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> The channel will directly compete with [[Cable News Network|CNN]], [[MSNBC]], [[Fox News Channel]] and in certain markets [[RT (TV network)|RT]]. This will be Al Jazeera's second entry into the U.S. television market after the launch of [[beIN Sport]] which launched in 2012 and is joint owned by [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] and [[Turner Broadcasting System]] a subsidiary of [[Time Warner]].


The channel will be headquartered and run from studios on the ground floor of the historic [[New Yorker Hotel]] with studio space in [[Manhattan Center]] in [[New York City]].<ref name=announcement/><ref name="unicorn"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324128504578348711622224832.html|title=Al Jazeera in Site Hunt|last=Brown|first=Hagey|work=Wall Street Journal|date=March 10, 2013|accessdate=August 2, 2013}}</ref> It will also have 12 bureaus in cities like [[Washington, D.C.]] at the [[Newseum]], [[Chicago]], [[Detroit]], [[Nashville]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Seattle]], [[New Orleans]], [[Dallas]], [[Denver]], [[Miami]], and [[San Francisco]] (the headquarters of Current TV).<ref>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/al-jazeera-america-can-oil-586074</ref> <ref>http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/05/28/al-jazeera-americas-biggest-challenge-getting-people-to-show-up/</ref> [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] also expects to increase its U.S.-based staff to a total of more than 300 employees as a result of Al Jazeera America.<ref name=announcement/> It was announced the channel will have well-known veteran journalists, anchors and producers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/al-jazeera-america-journalism-producer-jobs/content?oid=8831619|title=Al Jazeera America is hiring|last=Miner|first=Michael|work=Chicago Reader|date=February 20, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>
The channel will be headquartered and run from studios in the [[Manhattan Center]] in [[New York City]].<ref name=announcement/><ref name="unicorn"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324128504578348711622224832.html|title=Al Jazeera in Site Hunt|last=Brown|first=Hagey|work=Wall Street Journal|date=March 10, 2013|accessdate=August 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> It will also have 12 bureaus in cities like [[Washington, D.C.]] at the [[Newseum]], [[Chicago]], [[Detroit]], [[Nashville]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Seattle]], [[New Orleans]], [[Dallas]], [[Denver]], [[Miami]], and [[San Francisco]] (the headquarters of Current TV).<ref name=":0">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/al-jazeera-america-can-oil-586074</ref> <ref>http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/05/28/al-jazeera-americas-biggest-challenge-getting-people-to-show-up/</ref> [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] also expects to increase its U.S.-based staff to a total of more than 300 employees as a result of Al Jazeera America.<ref name=announcement/> It was announced the channel will have well-known veteran journalists, anchors and producers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/al-jazeera-america-journalism-producer-jobs/content?oid=8831619|title=Al Jazeera America is hiring|last=Miner|first=Michael|work=Chicago Reader|date=February 20, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>


On July 22nd Al Jazeera America Named former [[ABC News]] Vice-President [[Kate O'Brian]] as president of the network and [[Ehab El-Shihabi]] as interim CEO in charge of business affairs. In addition former [[CNN]] veteran [[David Doss]] Vice President of News Programming and former [[CBS News]] veteran [[Marcy McGinnis]] Vice President of News Gathering. Former [[MSNBC]] veteran [[Shannon High-Bassalik]] was named Senior Vice President of Documentaries and Programs.<ref>http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-poaches-abc-news-veteran-kate-obrian-to-be-president_b189207</ref>
On July 22nd Al Jazeera America Named former [[ABC News]] Vice-President [[Kate O'Brian]] as president of the network and [[Ehab El-Shihabi]] as interim CEO in charge of business affairs. In addition former [[CNN]] veteran [[David Doss]] Vice President of News Programming and former [[CBS News]] veteran [[Marcy McGinnis]] Vice President of News Gathering. Former [[MSNBC]] veteran [[Shannon High-Bassalik]] was named Senior Vice President of Documentaries and Programs.<ref>http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-poaches-abc-news-veteran-kate-obrian-to-be-president_b189207</ref>

Revision as of 01:59, 7 August 2013

Al Jazeera America
CountryUnited States
NetworkAl Jazeera
Headquarters481 Eighth Avenue (First Floor)
New York City
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerAl Jazeera Media Network

Al Jazeera America is the name of an upcoming American cable news channel to be launched in the United States by the Qatar-based television network Al Jazeera Media Network in 2013.[1] It was announced on January 2, 2013, along with the announcement that the network had purchased the American progressive media company Current TV, which had been struggling in ratings and announced in October 2012 that it was considering selling itself.[2] Al Jazeera plans on shutting down the Current TV channel, keeping its off-air staff and possibly some programs and using the company's distribution network to broadcast Al Jazeera America.[1][3] The channel will directly compete with CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel and in certain markets RT. This will be Al Jazeera's second entry into the U.S. television market after the launch of beIN Sport which launched in 2012 and is joint owned by Al Jazeera Media Network and Turner Broadcasting System a subsidiary of Time Warner.

The channel will be headquartered and run from studios in the Manhattan Center in New York City.[1][4][5][6] It will also have 12 bureaus in cities like Washington, D.C. at the Newseum, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Los Angeles, Seattle, New Orleans, Dallas, Denver, Miami, and San Francisco (the headquarters of Current TV).[6] [7] Al Jazeera Media Network also expects to increase its U.S.-based staff to a total of more than 300 employees as a result of Al Jazeera America.[1] It was announced the channel will have well-known veteran journalists, anchors and producers.[8]

On July 22nd Al Jazeera America Named former ABC News Vice-President Kate O'Brian as president of the network and Ehab El-Shihabi as interim CEO in charge of business affairs. In addition former CNN veteran David Doss Vice President of News Programming and former CBS News veteran Marcy McGinnis Vice President of News Gathering. Former MSNBC veteran Shannon High-Bassalik was named Senior Vice President of Documentaries and Programs.[9]

Al Jazeera says it received more than 21,000 job applications for 400 positions at its soon-to-be launched U.S. network, Al Jazeera America. Approximately 200 Current TV employees, including some 50 in editorial, have been absorbed by the new operation.[4] It plans to have a total of 800 employees at launch.

The network will launch on the week of August 24, 2013 and will have fewer commercials than its competitors.[10] On July 3, 2013 Ali Velshi confirmed that Al Jazeera America's launch will take place on August 20, 2013.[11]

Content and programs

The original plan for the channel was to air 60 percent of its programming from the United States with 40 percent coming from its international Al Jazeera English service. That plan has since changed to where they will now create virtually all of its programming in the United States. It will look inward, focusing more in domestic than foreign affairs. In an interview with the New York Times, head of international operations Ehab Al Shihabi said Al Jazeera America will "most days will primarily be domestic news. But Al Jazeera’s 70 bureaus around the world will mean that we will have an unparalleled ability to report on important global stories that Americans are not seeing elsewhere. We will do that when it is warranted."[12] Al Shihabi says the channel will will have less political chat and celebrity news and fewer commercials than other big news networks, and news will take priority over maximizing profits.[13] Its three-hour morning program will have a different format focusing on hard news and not "a group of anchors chatting on a couch."[14]

Al Jazeera America will have live programming at all hours, including half-hour news bulletins at two or three in the morning when the other cable networks are in tape.[4] A three-hour morning show, talk shows and taped documentaries are also planned. Three Al Jazeera English programs that are based in Washington, The Stream, Inside Story Americas and Fault Lines, are on the tentative schedule. The flagship nighttime show is planned to be called America Tonight. It will be a five-night-a-week news magazine that will present the day’s news in Al Jazeera's long-form style with "stories that are not covered elsewhere."[15]

Al Jazeera America's senior executive producer for news and special projects is Bob Wheelock, a former ABC and NBC News senior producer.

CNN chief business correspondent and the anchor of Your Money, Ali Velshi was the first major name to join Al Jazeera America. He will host a weekly, 30-minute show called Real Money with Ali Velshi[16] that is slated to be a nightly show by the end of the year.[17]

The channel will have a 16 person investigative unit and have hired veteran National Headline Award-winning journalist Edward Pound formerly of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, US News & World Report and the National Journal to lead its investigation division. Josh Bernstein from KDVR-TV Denver was hired as the lead investigative reporter along with Trevor Aaronson, an award winning author and investigative journalist and the former co-founder and associate director of the nonprofit Florida Center for Investigative Reporting who will serve as the networks investigative digital reporter based in Washington, D.C.[18] [19] It later hired Andrea Stone most recently of the The Huffington Post and Tony Karon most recently of TIME Magazine to manage both U.S. and global coverage for the channel's website and other digital platforms. Together they will determine the overall editorial direction for the site and both will be based in New York.[20]

They have also hired Kim Bondy, a former executive producer with CNN to produce its flagship news program America Tonight, a news magazine program that will hosted by original CNN International anchor and former CBS News correspondent Joie Chen and be produced from Al Jazeera America's Newseum Washington D.C. studio and featuring correspondents Adam May, Lori Jane Gliha, former CBS, ABC and CBC news correspondent Sheila MacVicar and former Current TV correspondent Christof Putzel.[21][22] [23] According to the network, the program will present in-depth segments each night on the economy, government, education, healthcare and the environment, and include breaking news. The program will also feature work by the Al Jazeera America investigative team led by veteran journalist Ed Pound and will cover stories in depth from across America, revealing new insights on the news of the day and breaking stories with its own original reporting. America Tonight will also incorporate social media interaction on screen and off to reflect the views of its American audience. On July 1, 2013, longtime CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien was hired to be a special correspondent for America Tonight, as well as a deal with her production company Starfish Media Group to produce long-form documentaries for Al Jazeera America.[24]

An American version of the popular Al Jazeera English program The Stream will also be featured on the channel. It will be produced from Washington D.C. and be hosted by veteran journalist Lisa Fletcher, a former ABC News correspondent and the current host of the Al Jazeera English's version of the show. According to the network, The Stream will be uniquely formatted to allow viewers to interact with Fletcher and her guests during the program via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ Hangouts and Skype. The show’s social media team and second screen technology will enable viewers to engage 24-hours-a-day with new content, comments, user-generated videos and a variety of posts. The Stream will rely heavily on a variety of online resources and social media tools to connect with people across the United States and around the world. This includes “Storify,” which allows the aggregation of additional information, links and photos about show topics on the website; “Video Genie,” which enables viewers to leave video questions for the show 24-7; and Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit. It will also host Google+ Hangouts and use Skype rather than satellite feeds for nearly all guest interviews.[25]

On July 21st the network hired former Fox News and MSNBC veteran David Shuster to host a show during "the evening hours".[26]

On July 26th the network announced that former Good Morning America host and award winning journalist Antonio Mora would he hosting a current events talk show called Consider This. This,according to the network will be a weeknight current affairs talk show that will showcase hard-hitting interviews and panel discussions on issues important to American viewers. Consider This will also feature interactive segments where the audience will join the conversation via social media.[27]

The channel has announced plans to produce and acquire documentaries. They have hired Kathy Davidov and Cynthia Kane as the senior executive producer and senior producer for its in-house documentary film unit. Davodov comes from the National Geographic Channel where she produced shows such as Border Wars and the Explorer special. Kane comes from ITVS where she managed over 150 projects and the Sundance Cahnnel.[28]

Al Jazeera's news anchors will include Richelle Carey formerly of CNN and HLN, Jonathan Betz formerly of WFAA-TV Channel 8 in Dallas and WWL-TV Channel 4 in New Orleans, Morgan Fogarty formerly of WCCB-TV in Charlotte, N.C and Del Walters formerly of WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C.[29]

Mike Viqueira was hired on June 5, 2013 to be Al Jazeera America's first ever White House correspondent.[30]

Tentative programs list

Availability

The channel is expected to be available in at least 40 million American households, out of 100 million total.[2][31] In contrast, Al Jazeera English, which launched in 2006 and is currently the network's only English language channel, is broadcast in only a few U.S. cities and reaches 4.7 million households, though it is live streamed online for free.[2] Al Jazeera America will not be live streamed online.[32] Al Jazeera America is expected to replace Current TV on Comcast, Dish Network, Verizon, DirecTV, and AT&T.[31] Shortly after the acquisition announcement, Time Warner Cable, which broadcasts Current TV to nine million households, stated that it will drop Current TV because it did not consent to its sale to Al Jazeera.[33] The cable operator later said it will consider carriage of Al Jazeera America.[34] Time Warner currently carries Al Jazeera English in the New York City market.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "AL JAZEERA TO START NEW U.S.-BASED NEWS CHANNEL". Al Jazeera. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Zeidler, Sue; Baker, Liana (January 3, 2013). "Al Jazeera buys Gore's Current TV, terms undisclosed". Reuters. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  3. ^ Riley, Charles (January 3, 2013). "Al Jazeera buys Current TV, will launch new channel". CNN. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Pompeo, Joe (July 11, 2013). "Al Jazeera America: A Unicorn Is Born". New York Magazine. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  5. ^ Brown, Hagey (March 10, 2013). "Al Jazeera in Site Hunt". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  6. ^ a b http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/al-jazeera-america-can-oil-586074
  7. ^ http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/05/28/al-jazeera-americas-biggest-challenge-getting-people-to-show-up/
  8. ^ Miner, Michael (February 20, 2013). "Al Jazeera America is hiring". Chicago Reader. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  9. ^ http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-poaches-abc-news-veteran-kate-obrian-to-be-president_b189207
  10. ^ Morabito, Andrea (June 10, 2013). "Exclusive: Al Jazeera America to Launch Week of Aug. 24". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  11. ^ Weprin, Alex (July 3, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Launching August 20". TV Newser. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  12. ^ Brian Stelter (May 26, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Shifts Focus to U.S. News". New York Times.
  13. ^ Flint, Joe (June 11, 2013). "Al Jazeera America promises less political chat and celebrity news". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  14. ^ Weprin, Alex (June 11, 2013). "Al Jazeera America To Launch In August, With Fewer Commercials Than Competitors". Media Bistro. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  15. ^ Stelter, Brian (May 26, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Shifts Focus to U.S. News". New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  16. ^ "Meet the Team - Senior Executive Producer for Business Programming John Meehan". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  17. ^ Weinger, Mackenzie (April 4, 2013). "Ali Velshi Joins Al Jazeera America". Politico. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  18. ^ Weprin, Alex (June 10, 2013). "Josh Bernstein Tapped As Investigative Reporter For Al Jazeera America". Media Bistro. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  19. ^ http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-names-trevor-aaronson-16-member-investigative-unit
  20. ^ "Andrea Stone and Tony Karon to Join Al Jazeera America". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  21. ^ http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/07/joie-chen-to-host-al-jazeera-americas-america-tonight-168998.html
  22. ^ "Al Jazeera America will broadcast nightly primetime current affairs magazine". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  23. ^ http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-names-sheila-macvicar-correspondent-america-tonight
  24. ^ Mirkinson, Jack (July 1, 2013). "Soledad O'Brien Becomes Al Jazeera America Correspondent". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  25. ^ "'The Stream' to Join Al Jazeera America's Daily Program Lineup". Al Jazeera America. June 19, 2013.
  26. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/21/david-shuster-al-jazeera-america_n_3632585.html
  27. ^ http://america.aljazeera.com/update/antonio-mora-joins-al-jazeera-america-host-consider
  28. ^ http://www.indiewire.com/article/television/al-jazeera-america-doc-team?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed
  29. ^ Molloy, Tim (July 11, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Names 4 Anchors". The Wrap. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  30. ^ Weprin, Alex (June 5, 2013). "NBC's Mike Viqueira Named White House Correspondent For Al Jazeera America". Media Bistro. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  31. ^ a b O'Connor, Rory (January 4, 2013). "Welcome to America, Al Jazeera". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  32. ^ Roettgers, Janko (January 3, 2013). "Bad news for cord cutters: Al Jazeera America won't be live streamed online". GigaOM. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  33. ^ Bercovici, Jeff (January 2, 2013). "Current TV Sold To Al Jazeera; Possible $400 Million Deal For Al Gore and Co. [UPDATED]". Forbes. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  34. ^ Calderone, Michael (January 3, 2013). "Time Warner Cable Will Consider Carrying Al Jazeera's U.S. Network". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2013.

External links

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