Tag: Al-Jazeera America

Shutters down on Al-Jazeera America; AJ-English to expand digital ops in US

MUMBAI: After three years of financial struggles, Al Jazeera America (AJAM) will down the shutters on its cable TV and digital operations by 30 April, 2016.

The decision by the AJAM board was driven by the fact that its business model was simply not sustainable in light of the economic challenges in the US media marketplace.

The closure of the US channel will be accompanied by an expansion of its existing worldwide digital services into the US to broaden its multi-platform presence.

The expanded digital platform will augment the Network’s current digital offerings, including AJ+, which has achieved more than two billion online video views since its inception in September 2014.

“As audiences increasingly turn to multiple platforms, including mobile devices, for news and information, this expansion will allow US and non-US consumers alike to access the network’s journalism and content wherever and whenever they want. By expanding its digital content and distribution services to now include the US, the network will be better positioned to innovate and compete in an overwhelmingly digital world to serve today’s 24-hour digitally focused audience,” the Al Jazeera Media Network said in a statement.

Al Jazeera America CEO Al Anstey said, “I have witnessed and worked alongside some of the most talented people any organisation could wish for. Since its launch in 2013, the work done by the team at Al Jazeera America has been recognised with nearly every major award an American news organisation can receive. I greatly respect the unrivalled commitment and excellent work of our team, which has created great journalism. We have increasingly set ourselves apart from all the rest, and the achievements of the past two-and-a-half years should be a source of immense pride for everyone.”

January 14, 2016
Al Jazeera America expands executive news team

MUMBAI: Al Jazeera America (AJAM) has expanded its executive news team with the appointment of Heather Allan as senior vice president of news gathering.

Additionally, AJAM’s current news gathering head, Amir Ahmed, an Emmy award-winning journalist who held leadership roles at CNN before joining AJAM in 2013, will assume the role of senior vice president of news planning.

Allan, who is a long-time American news veteran, will be responsible for overseeing all of AJAM’s news coverage. She has worked for 30 years at NBC, including as West Coast bureau chief, before joining Al Jazeera English in 2009 as head of global news gathering.

On the other hand, Ahmed will be responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of AJAM’s high-quality news content.

The appointments reflect a strategic commitment by AJAM to bolster its news gathering resources and realign editorial operations so the network is best positioned to advance its journalistic mission across a range of platforms.

“Amir and Heather are strong leaders whom we’re pleased to have join the newsroom as we continue to advance AJAM’s mission to deliver the highest quality, in-depth journalism to more audiences and through multiple platforms,” said Al Jazeera America executive vice president of content Amjad Atallah.

In her previous role at Al Jazeera English, Allan managed all global news coverage for the network’s 34 bureaus across the world. She played a key role in in launching AJAM in 2013, setting up all of the channel’s domestic bureaus and recruiting news staff for each location.

“Heather’s worldly experience and innate news sense will be a valuable asset in further strengthening AJAM’s exceptionally talented news division,” said Al Jazeera America president Kate O’Brian.

“AJAM’s unique mission, passionate journalists and dedication to its editorial vision are characteristics that I truly admire in this young network,” added Allan. “I’m excited about the opportunity to be part of it at such a pivotal time, as AJAM defines its role in the market and promotes the value of its content to new audiences.”

“With a news team committed to delivering content that’s consistently second to none, it’s a fascinating opportunity to work amongst journalists who all share the same mission,” said Ahmed. “I’m looking forward to having Heather on board as we embark on this next phase of AJAM, working together to reach new heights while ensuring our quality journalism continues to reflect our editorial DNA.”

October 27, 2015
Al Jazeera elevates Al Anstey as CEO of Al Jazeera America

MUMBAI: Al Jazeera Media Network has appointed Al Anstey as CEO of Al Jazeera America with immediate effect.

Anstey replaces interim CEO Ehab Alshihabi, who was responsible for launching Al Jazeera America in 2013. He joined Al Jazeera in 2005 and has held a range of leadership positions with the organization, most recently serving as managing director of Al Jazeera English (AJE) since 2010.

Previously Anstey was director of news for AJE, in charge of the news division and the editorial content. He was a key member of the start-up team of AJE that designed the editorial vision, recruited editorial staff, and set up its worldwide bureau network.

Under Anstey’s leadership the channel is now accessible to over 250 million households across the globe in over 130 countries.

Anstey said, “I’m delighted to be leading Al Jazeera America into the next stage of its development. The United States is a remarkable country, with amazing people across the nation who are looking for in-depth, trusted, and inspiring stories. I’m also very proud to be able to lead a fantastic team at Al Jazeera America who are dedicated to the highest quality storytelling. I am committed to engaging the team and uplifting our collective ambitions, as a much needed channel for American audiences.”

Al Jazeera America Board of Directors chairman Mostefa Souag added, “As Al Jazeera America moves forward into this new stage of its development, I am confident Al’s leadership will transform the channel’s ability to lead in the US marketplace. His demonstrated success leading Al Jazeera English and his passion for the Al Jazeera brand positions him with the unique ability to undertake the strategic changes needed for the success of the channel. I am extremely pleased at Al’s appointment.”

Anstey has lived and worked in Asia, America, Europe and the Middle East. He started his career as a producer at CBS News, later joining the start-up of Reuters GMTV in the UK, before moving to the start-up of Associated Press Television News, based in New Delhi and Sydney, later taking on the position of Asia Editor for APTN with responsibility for bureaus and coverage across Asia.

Prior to joining Al Jazeera in 2005 he was the head of foreign news at ITN in the UK after many years as their senior foreign editor and spent two years in Washington DC as bureau chief of ITN’s operations in the US.

May 7, 2015
Al Jazeera America set for TWC

MUMBAI: Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks are set to begin offering Al Jazeera America to their customers in the coming months, bringing the news network to almost 55 million homes.

The network will roll out on basic digital tiers on the two platforms in markets such as New York City, Los Angeles and Dallas. Time Warner Cable executive VP and chief video and content officer Melinda Witmer said, “Now that the channel is live, we think that it would be of value to our customers and are pleased to make it available.”

Al Jazeera America’s interim CEO Ehab Al Shihabi added: “It has been a pleasure working with TWC over the past few months as their executives evaluated our programming and commitment to fact-based, in depth reporting. We appreciate the vote of confidence that Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks have given to our brand of unbiased journalism and look forward to working with them as Al Jazeera America continues to grow.”

Time Warner Cable dropped Current TV following its sale to Al Jazeera at the beginning of this year.

October 25, 2013