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Current TV

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Current TV
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California
Ownership
OwnerAl Jazeera

Current TV, also known simply as Current, is a progressive media company led by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt.[1] Comcast owns a ten percent stake of Current's parent company, Current TV, LLC.[2] The Current cable television network went on the air in the US at midnight EDT (4:00 UTC) on the morning of August 1, 2005. Current TV was launched in South Africa for satellite subscribers on the TopTV platform on 1 May 2010.

On January 2, 2013, it was announced that Al Jazeera had acquired Current TV.[3][4] Al Jazeera has also stated that it plans on shutting down the Current channel, and launching a new New York-based channel called Al Jazeera America using Current's distribution network.[5] It also plans on scrapping the channel's programing lineup and brand.[6]

History

Launch

After the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Gore and Hyatt wanted to start a conventional cable news network. The plan evolved into making a viewer-generated channel aimed at an audience demographic age 18–34.

On May 4, 2004, INdTV Holdings, a company co-founded by Gore and Joel Hyatt, purchased Canada-based cable news channel NewsWorld International (NWI) from Vivendi Universal for the express purpose of launching their new network with the space on some digital cable lineups (and DirecTV) that NWI had. The new network would not have political leanings, Gore said, but would serve as an "independent voice" for a target audience of people between 18 and 34 "who want to learn about the world in a voice they recognize and a view they recognize as their own."

Other reports said that Gore hoped that the channel would help change the tide of "consolidation and conglomeratization" of the media by leading the change to "democratization." The news network was said to be a combination between CNN, MTV, and blipverts.

In the summer of 2004, Gore and Hyatt announced their new network, named INdTV, with a series of public recruitment events. The first of these events was held at the Bambuddha Lounge in San Francisco's Tenderloin, on August 25.

On April 4, 2005, the former vice president and business partner Hyatt announced that they had changed the name of the network from INdTV to Current. The new television network launched in the United States on August 1, 2005. Currently, Current is available in 60 million homes nationwide in the U.S.[7]

Yahoo! Current Network

On September 20, 2006, Current TV started a short-lived partnership with Yahoo! to supply topic-specific "channels" to the Yahoo Video website. Called the Yahoo! Current Network, the first four channels, "Current Buzz," "Current Traveler" "Current Action" (about action sports) and "Current Driver" quickly became the most popular videos on the Yahoo Video web site. There were Yahoo branded segments on Current TV, similar to the Google Current segments. Additional web channels were planned. However, on December 6, 2006, Yahoo and Current TV announced the end of their relationship.[8] Madeline Smithberg, co-creator of The Daily Show, was the Executive Producer for this project.

On October 6, 2006, a deal was announced with BSkyB to create a localized UK and Ireland version of Current TV for its Sky satellite service.[9] This version went live on March 12, 2007 on Sky channel 229 (later moving to 183) and Virgin Media channel 155.[10] In 2007, Current TV started video-on-demand service on Virgin Media. Current TV was also added to the Freewire IPTV network on channel 178. The channel closed on March 11, 2012 following BSkyB's withdrawal of support and a failed rescue attempt from Current TV.[11][12]

On January 31, 2007, Current TV launched on Dish Network.

On September 16, 2007, Current TV won an Emmy award for Best Interactive Television Service at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards. This was the first year in which this Emmy was presented during the primetime broadcast. The award was presented by Masi Oka of Heroes fame and MySpace founder Tom Anderson (through their own computers), and Al Gore and Joel Hyatt accepted the award on their behalf.[13]

On February 8, 2008, it was announced that the network would also available on the Italian Sky Italia satellite digital platform on channel 130. According to the official website, broadcasts started on May 8, 2008.[14] On June 6, 2008, it was announced that the network would also available on the Italian 3 DVB-H mobile operator, free of charge.[15] The channel closed on July 31, 2011 following failed distribution renegotiations with Sky Italia.[16]

Current TV partnered with Twitter for the 2008 Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates, allowing viewers watching the Current TV version of the debates to post live on Twitter and have their opinions shown on screen, live.

North Korea incident

Main article: 2009 imprisonment of US journalists by North Korea
Wikinews has related news:

On March 17, 2009, North Korean military detained two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, working for Current TV, after they allegedly crossed into North Korea from China.[17] On March 30, North Korean state media reported that preparations were under way for indictments and a trial, saying, "The illegal entry of US reporters into the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] and their suspected hostile acts have been confirmed by evidence and their statements."[18] The two faced trial on June 4.[19] On June 8, Reuters reported that the two reporters were found guilty of illegal entry and committing "hostile acts against the DPRK" and subsequently sentenced to twelve years of hard labor.[20] On August 4, BBC News reported that Lee and Ling were pardoned amidst a visit by former U.S. president Bill Clinton to North Korea.[21]

IPO plans

On 28 January 2009 Current Media Inc, revealed it intended to launch an IPO on the NASDAQ to raise US$100 million (GB£67 million), but it told US regulators over Easter that it was scrapping the plan due to current market conditions.[22] The company added that no securities had been sold and all activity regarding the proposed public offering had been discontinued.[23]

In June 2009, Current TV received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to establish a Canadian version of the channel, which would be a joint venture of Current TV and the CBC, with the CBC taking 80 percent ownership. The channel would be required to feature at least 35% Canadian content. The new service was planned to begin in fall 2009, pending approval by the Treasury Board,[24] but those plans were put on hold later that year, and as of June 2011, there are no plans to bring Current TV to Canada.[25]

In July 2009, Current TV, because of financial reasons and the failed IPO abandoned, made a series of changes. CEO Joel Hyatt resigned to a new vice president position and was replaced by Mark Rosenthal, the former COO and president of MTV Networks, with a plan to reform Current TV to more traditional programing. Lisa Derrick of The Huffington Post predicted that Current TV would undergo a transformation similar to MTV's transformation, during Mark Rosenthal 1990s tenure at MTV, from MTV's multi-minute music video format to longer 30 minute/1 hour reality television programing. Ultimately its assorted pod format was discontinued in lieu of traditional 30 minute block programing. Some elements of the pod format survive inside the themed 30 minute programing. In July 2009, 80 in house staff were laid off, about 25% of Current's staff, and plans were announced to air licensed TV series and films and other content that is not produced by Current in-house or by the VC2 system. Andrew Wallenstein of The Hollywood Reporter predicts Current will make its targeted demographic a decade older from early 20s to early 30s, and add more less-serious entertainment programing to its then mostly news and reality/documentary format.[26][27]

In late 2009, after the announcement of the Comcast-NBC merger, Comcast Corporation submitted a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission that revealed it owns a ten percent stake of Current Media LLC.[2] Current received three Emmy nominations in the news and documentary category in 2009.

In mid 2010, Current's Vanguard journalism program's piece, Oxycontin Express received a Peabody Award, a first for both Mariana Van Zellar the journalist behind the story and Current. Current has also received a Headliner award.[28] Around this time, a report by Reuters on the network's ongoing problems suggested that it could have blossomed into something akin to YouTube's video-sharing platform, MSNBC's role as a left-leaning news outlet, or even the Oprah Winfrey Network. "In retrospect," the report concluded, "what's distinctive about Current's troubles was that Gore's vision had so much potential. It's uncanny how close he was to capitalizing on several key trends that transformed the media world, only to watch others do so."[27]

2011 major format changes

Beginning early in 2011, Current TV started implementing major changes in programming and personnel, beginning with the hiring of Keith Olbermann and the re-launch of his former MSNBC program Countdown. The network began a long series of major program changes and will eventually develop a full schedule of news, opinion, and analysis programming from a left-wing progressive perspective. To signify these changes, Current unveiled new imaging and a new logo in May 2011, designed by branding firm Wolff Olins. The logo went on to win Best of Category – Logo and Identity Animations in the 2012 Brand New Awards.[29]

  • On February 8, 2011, Keith Olbermann announced that he had been hired to host a new primetime show on Current TV as well as being named Chief News Officer with an equity stake in the network.
  • In April 2011, Olbermann announced that his nightly program would retain the Countdown with Keith Olbermann title from his time at MSNBC.
  • On June 20, 2011 Keith Olbermann relaunched Countdown with Keith Olbermann on Current TV. The program aired M-F at 8 p.m. ET and is based out of New York City. Olbermann stated on The Colbert Report that Current TV was planning to make a nightly news segment consisting of his show and others that will launch later on Current TV.
  • In August 2011, Current announced that it had hired former CNN Bureau Chief and SVP of Programming David Bohrman as the networks new president. Bohrman later announced that after filling out its prime-time lineup, Current would also gradually begin shifting towards "a full daytime, morning schedule of news, information, analysis, conversation, context – all based on the events of the day" from an independent, progressive perspective.
  • On September 15, 2011, Current also announced that it had hired Shelley Lewis, former CNN and PBS executive producer, as executive vice president of programming.
  • On September 20, 2011, the network announced that Cenk Uygur of internet-based TYT Network would be launching a TV edition of the internet news program The Young Turks in the 4th quarter of 2011. The program will be based out of Los Angeles and will air M-F at 7 p.m. ET before Countdown. The program premiered December 5.
  • On September 21, 2011, network president David Bohrman named Jason Odell as executive vice president of technology. Odell has an extensive career at both CNN and NBC, most recently known for inventing and implementing CNN's "holographic" technology during election coverage.
  • On October 12, 2011, the network announced that it had hired former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm to host her own weekday prime-time program The War Room with Jennifer Granholm. The program launched in January 2012 at 9 p.m. ET.
Current TV logo 2005–2011

2012 major format changes

  • On March 5, 2012, Current announced an upcoming weekday morning block of programming with TV-friendly simulcasts of The Stephanie Miller Show (under the name Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show) and The Bill Press Show (under the name Full Court Press: The Bill Press Show).[30] This was interpreted by Mediaite's Political Editor and White House Correspondent Tommy Christopher as an attempt to compete against MSNBC's Morning Joe (which airs from 6AM to 9 AM).[31]
  • On March 30, 2012, Current announced that Keith Olbermann had been fired and would no longer host a show on their network. A statement released by network founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt explained the network's "values are no longer reflected" in Current's relationship with Olbermann, and that former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer would begin hosting Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer effective immediately in the time slot previously occupied by Olbermann.[32]
  • On April 18, 2012, Current announced that California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom will host a show while concurrently serving as lieutenant governor.[33]

Acquisition by Al Jazeera

See also: Al Jazeera America

On January 2, 2013, Al Jazeera announced that it had purchased Current TV and would be closing down the channel while launching a new American news channel titled Al Jazeera America using the Current channel's distribution network.[34][35] The terms of the deal were undisclosed.[36] According to Forbes and The New York Times, the purchase was about $500 million USD.[6][37]

In addition to closing the Current channel, Al Jazeera plans on scrapping the channel's programming lineup, as well as its brand.[6]

Immediately after the annoucement, Time Warner Cable, which broadcasts Current TV to nine million American homes, announced that it will be dropping the channel,[6] but stated that it will consider airing Al Jazera America.[38]

Defending his decision, Current TV chairman Al Gore wrote: "I am incredibly proud of what Current has been able to accomplish. But broadcast media is a business, and being an independent content producer in a time of increasing consolidation is a challenge."[37] In a news release, Al Jazeera Director General Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani said, "By acquiring Current TV, Al Jazeera will significantly expand our existing distribution footprint in the U.S., as well as increase our newsgathering and reporting efforts in America, [...] We look forward to working together with our new cable and satellite partners to serve our new audiences across the U.S."[35] The Al Jazeera 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.[35]

Programming

ET Program Host Location Description
6a-9a Full Court Press with Bill Press Bill Press Washington, D.C. Live simulcast of "The Bill Press Show" (political commentary)
9am-12pm Talking Liberally Stephanie Miller Los Angeles Live simulcast of "The Stephanie Miller Show" (political satire)
6pm-7pm Joy Behar: Say Anything! Joy Behar New York City Nightly general talk/interview program
7pm-8pm The Young Turks with Cenk Uygur Cenk Uygur Los Angeles TV edition of the popular internet news program.
8pm-9pm Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer Eliot Spitzer New York City Nightly news and commentary program.
9pm-10pm The War Room with Jennifer Granholm Jennifer Granholm San Francisco Politics-based analysis and commentary program.
11pm-12am (Fridays) The Gavin Newsom Show Gavin Newsom San Francisco A weekly hour-long talk show with a decidedly California touch.

Other programs

  • Vanguard is Current's in-house journalism department, consisting of a team of young producers and correspondents who specialize in enterprising reporting on global issues.
  • 50 Documentaries to See Before You Die is a five-part series hosted by Morgan Spurlock.[39]
  • Politically Direct 2012 is Current TV's live special program covering aspects of the 2012 presidential election, such as debate analysis. It features Current hosts, contributors, and special guests. Air time varies.
  • John Fugelsang will join Current TV's primetime lineup in the fall of 2012.[40]

Prior programming

Hosts

References

  1. ^ Stelter, Brian (December 29, 2011). "An Election Year Dawns Without Keith Olbermann". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b "How Cable Programming Is 'Chosen' – The Implications for Comcast-NBC". StopBigMedia.com, 2010-01-11. Retrieved on 2010-11-08.
  3. ^ "AL-JAZEERA BUYS CURRENT TV FROM AL GORE". AP. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  4. ^ Stelter, Brian (January 2, 2013). "Al Jazeera Seeks a U.S. Voice Where Gore Failed". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "Al Jazeera buys US channel Current TV". Al Jazeera. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d Jeff Bercovici (January 2, 2013). "Current TV Sold To Al Jazeera; Possible $400 Million Deal For Al Gore and Co. [UPDATED]". Forbes. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  7. ^ "About Current". Current TV. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
  8. ^ Shields, Mike (December 5, 2006). "Yahoo and Current TV Cut Ties". MediaWeek.com
  9. ^ "CURRENT TO LAUNCH TV CHANNEL ON SKY DIGITAL IN UK AND IRELAND" (PDF). Current TV. 2006-10-06. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  10. ^ "Gore's Current TV Launches In UK, Eyes Further Roll-outs". paidContent. 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  11. ^ "Statement: Current UK due to close in March". Current TV. 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  12. ^ "Current staff seek work as rescue fails". C21Media. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  13. ^ "Al Gore joins Emmy parade". Variety.com. September 13, 2007.
  14. ^ "Scopri di più su Current TV" Template:It icon
  15. ^ "3 Italia: gratis Rai, Mediaset e Current" Template:It icon La Stampa. April 6, 2008.
  16. ^ "Current TV chief claims Murdoch's Sky Italia broke commitment". The Guardian. 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  17. ^ Laura Ling, Euna Lee Detained In North Korea. Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-08.
  18. ^ US reporters face N Korea trial. bbc.co.uk; BBC, March 31, 2009.
  19. ^ "N Korea to try reporters in June". BBC News. 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
  20. ^ Herskovitz, Jon (June 8, 2009). "North Korea sentences U.S. journalists to 12 years". reuters.com. Reuters.
  21. ^ "North Korea pardons US reporters". BBC News. August 4, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  22. ^ Chris Curtis (14 April 2009). "Current TV cancels float due to 'market conditions'". Broadcast. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  23. ^ Maisie McCabe (14 April 2009). "Al Gore's Current Media abandons plans for NYSE listing". MediaWeek. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  24. ^ Staff writers (11 June 2009). "Current TV Receives CRTC Approval". Broadcaster. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  25. ^ Staff writers (December 22, 2009). "Current TV's plans to enter Canada on hold". CBC News. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  26. ^ Lisa Derrick (November 12, 2009). "Al Gore's Current TV Lays Off 80 Staff, Changes Direction". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  27. ^ a b Andrew Wallenstein (June 25, 2010). "New troubles at Al Gore's Current TV". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  28. ^ "2008 National Headliner Award Winners". National Headliner Awards. Monday, 04 May 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "2011 Brand New Awards: Winners". Underconsideration.com. 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  30. ^ David Lieberman (March 5, 2012 @ 8:32am EST). "Current TV To Enter AM News Competition With Radio's Bill Press And Stephanie Miller". Deadline New York. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Tommy Christopher (8:13 am, March 5, 2012). "Current TV Announces Morning Block With Bill Press And Stephanie Miller". Mediaite. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ David Lieberman (March 30, 2012 @ 5:14pm EST). "Keith Olbermann Out At Current Relationship No Longer Reflected Values Network Says". Deadline Hollywood. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Stelter, Brian (April 18, 2012). "Current TV to Hire Gavin Newsom, California's Lieutenant Governor". New York Times.
  34. ^ Charles Riley (3 January 2013). "Al Jazeera buys Current TV, will launch new channel". CNNMoney. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  35. ^ a b c "AL JAZEERA TO START NEW U.S.-BASED NEWS CHANNEL". Al Jazeera. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  36. ^ Sue Zeidler and Liana B. Baker (3 January 2013). "Al Jazeera buys Gore's Current TV, terms undisclosed". Reuters. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  37. ^ a b Brian Stelter (January 3, 2013). "Gore Went to Bat for Al Jazeera, and Himself". The New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  38. ^ Michael Calderone (January 3, 2013). "Time Warner Cable Will Consider Carrying Al Jazeera's U.S. Network". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  39. ^ "Current TV Launches Original Series "50 Documentaries to See Before You Die" Premiering on Monday, August 1". FutonCritic.com. May 24, 2011. (press release)
  40. ^ "John Fugelsang Officially Joins the Current Primetime Lineup". Current.com. August 1, 2012 (press release).
  41. ^ "About Sign of the Times". KarmaAir.com. Archived from the original on 2007-05-07.
  42. ^ "About Stargazing". KarmaAir.com. Archived from the original on 2007-08-26.
  43. ^ Stelter, Brian (March 30, 2012). "Current TV Dismisses Keith Olbermann". The New York Times.
Articles
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