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Discuss this article (6 Comments)Al Jazeera English signs first major US TV deal
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 25 June 2009
US BREAKTHROUGH: Al Jazeera has finally secured a deal with a major cable company in the States. (Getty Images)
Al Jazeera English will begin its foray into the American market on July 1 after signing its first major US distribution deal with a cable TV company in the Washington DC area, Arabian Business can reveal.
“On July 1 we are going to launch the first operation in cable distribution in the United States,” Al Jazeera's director general, Wadah Khanfar, said in an interview.
“I can tell you that on July 1 we are going to launch an agreement with a Washington DC based company that has around 2.3 million subscribers.”
The English language version of the Qatari news channel is available in 140m homes in 40 countries, including Israel, but it has been unable to enter America, the world's most important English-language market.
Local operators in Burlington, Vermont and Toledo, Ohio have been the only two exceptions to date.
Many Americans associate the Al Jazeera brand with the Arabic news channel's airing of video tapes from Osama Bin Laden, and US cable operators have been reluctant to add Al Jazeera English to their line-ups amid allegations that it is a “mouthpiece for terrorists”.
However, Khanfar said a more benevolent political climate means that the channel will be able to sign distribution deals across the US in the second half of this year.
“I think the atmosphere is changing now. We have negotiations taking place with many cable companies in the United States and Canada and I hope that very soon we are going to hear a lot of good news,” he said.
“Starting next month, we will have a growing audience in the United States.”
The network has been focusing on breaking into the Washington DC and New York City markets, due to the high number of people there who are interested in international news, he added.
Al Jazeera English began broadcasting in November 2006, after hiring a number of well known international journalists, including veteran UK broadcaster Sir David Frost.
In the interview with Arabian Business, Khanfar also said that he does not believe Al Jazeera's news operations will ever be profitable, but that the Al Jazeera network, which includes sports and documentary channels, could be.
See the July 5 edition of Arabian Business for the full interview.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
al jazeera in usa
Posted by jamg, portland / al khobar, oregon, usa / saudi arabia on Monday 6 July 2009 at 09:37 UAE time
mabruk! finally!
Posted by jamg, portland / al khobar, oregon, usa / saudi arabia on Monday 6 July 2009 at 09:37 UAE time
mabruk! finally!
RE: Good for the American Audiences
Posted by ZEI, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 27 June 2009 at 11:38 UAE time
Kudos to Al Jazeera English channel for finaly succeeding to put their foot into the American doorstep. As a devoted viewer fo Al Jazeera English I am convinced the American audiences will get a fairer and clearer view of the world if they include this channel to their favourite list. I am waiting for the day when Al Jazeera English will be able to air in the Indian sub-continent... hopefully the Indian Government will see the writing on the wall and let this channel in. I am sure Indians will welcome Al Jazeera English will an open mind and arms. Keep trying Al Jazeera.
Posted by ZEI, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 27 June 2009 at 11:38 UAE time
Kudos to Al Jazeera English channel for finaly succeeding to put their foot into the American doorstep. As a devoted viewer fo Al Jazeera English I am convinced the American audiences will get a fairer and clearer view of the world if they include this channel to their favourite list. I am waiting for the day when Al Jazeera English will be able to air in the Indian sub-continent... hopefully the Indian Government will see the writing on the wall and let this channel in. I am sure Indians will welcome Al Jazeera English will an open mind and arms. Keep trying Al Jazeera.
Global Perspective
Posted by Hap, Birmingham, England on Friday 26 June 2009 at 02:02 UAE time
I think Al Jazeera English is the best news channel in the world and to not have it available in the U.S. market would've been ludicrous. Well done Al Jazeera
Posted by Hap, Birmingham, England on Friday 26 June 2009 at 02:02 UAE time
I think Al Jazeera English is the best news channel in the world and to not have it available in the U.S. market would've been ludicrous. Well done Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera --Congratulations.
Posted by Kevin, Dubai on Thursday 25 June 2009 at 23:10 UAE time
Al Jazeera is a top station. Amazing how they come up with special reports and most importnatly , telling the truth...
Posted by Kevin, Dubai on Thursday 25 June 2009 at 23:10 UAE time
Al Jazeera is a top station. Amazing how they come up with special reports and most importnatly , telling the truth...
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