Jump to content

Al Jazeera America: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Undid revision 566601005 by XLinkBot (talk)
Tag: reverting anti-vandal bot
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Defunct pay television news channel}}
{{Distinguish|Al Jazeera English}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox television channel
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Al Jazeera America
| name = Al Jazeera America
| logofile =
| logo = Al Jazeera America Logo.png
| logosize =
| logo_size = 150px
| logocaption =
| logo_caption =
| logoalt =
| logo_alt =
| logo2 =
| image =
| launch = {{Start date|2013|8|20}}
| launch_date = {{Start date|2013|8|20}}
| closed date = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
| closed_date = {{End date|2016|4|12}}
| network = [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]
| picture format =
| share =
| owner = [[Al Jazeera Media Network]]
| key_people = '''[[Kate O'Brian]]'''<br/>President<br/>'''Al Anstey'''<br/>Interim CEO
| share as of =
| share source =
| country = United States
| network = [[Al Jazeera]]
| language = English
| owner = [[Al Jazeera Media Network]]
| area = United States
| headquarters = [[Manhattan Center]]<br />[[New York City, New York]]
| parent =
| former_names =
| key people = '''[[Kate O'Brian]]'''<br>President<br>'''[[Ehab El-Shihabi]]'''<br>Interim CEO
| slogan =
| replaced = [[Current TV]]
| motto =
| replaced_by = [[Al Jazeera English]]
| sister_channels = [[Al Jazeera English]]<br/>[[AJ+]]<br/>[[beIN Sport]]
| country = [[United States]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| broadcast area = [[United States]] (possibly Canada)
| affiliates =
| headquarters = [[New Yorker Hotel|481 Eighth Avenue (First Floor)]]<br />[[New York City]]
| former names =
| replaced names = [[Current TV]]
| replaced by names =
| sister names = [[Al Jazeera English]]
| timeshift names =
| web = {{URL|http://america.aljazeera.com}}
| terr avail = Not Available
| sat serv 1 = [[DirecTV]]
| sat chan 1 = Channel 358
| sat serv 2 = [[Dish Network]]
| sat chan 2 = Channel 215
| sat serv 3 =
| sat chan 3 =
| cable serv 1 = [[Comcast]]
| cable chan 1 = Channel 107 or 125
| cable serv 2 = [[Verizon FiOS]]
| cable chan 2 = Channel 192
| cable serv 3 = In-House (Washington)
| cable chan 3 = Channel 22
| cable serv 4 = Available on some cable systems
| cable chan 4 = Check local listings
| iptv serv 1 = [[AT&T U-verse]]
| iptv chan 1 = Channel 189
| online serv 1 =
| online chan 1 =
| 3gmobile serv 1 =
}}
}}
'''Al Jazeera America''' is the name of an upcoming [[News broadcasting|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''' was an American [[pay television]] [[United States cable news|news channel]] owned by the [[Al Jazeera Media Network]]. The channel was launched on August 20, 2013, to compete with [[CNN]], [[HLN (TV channel)|HLN]], [[MSNBC]], [[Fox News]], and in certain markets [[RT America]]. It was Al Jazeera's second entry into the U.S. television market, after the launch of [[beIN Sports]] in 2012. The channel, which had persistently low ratings, announced in January 2016 that it would close on 12 April 2016,<ref name=Farhi>{{cite news|last1=Farhi|first1=Paul|title=Al Jazeera America news channel to close up shop|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/al-jazeera-america-news-channel-to-close-up-shop/2016/01/13/aa3ab180-ba1f-11e5-99f3-184bc379b12d_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_aljazeera-250pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|access-date=January 13, 2016|newspaper=Washington Post|date=January 13, 2016}}</ref> citing the "economic landscape".<ref>{{Cite web|title = Al Jazeera America to Shut Down|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/al-jazeera-america-shut-down-855477|work = The Hollywood Reporter|date = January 13, 2016|access-date = January 13, 2016}}</ref>
The channel will be headquartered and run from studios on the ground floor of the historic [[New Yorker Hotel]] in [[New York City]].<ref name=announcement/><ref name="unicorn"/> 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>


Al Jazeera America was headquartered and run from studios on the first floor of the [[Manhattan Center]] in [[New York City]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/manhattan-center-announces-al-jazeera-201500850.html|title=Manhattan Center Announces Al Jazeera America as Its Newest Television Studio Client|work=Yahoo!|date=August 20, 2013|access-date=August 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422233109/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/manhattan-center-announces-al-jazeera-201500850.html|archive-date=April 22, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="unicorn"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324128504578348711622224832|title=Al Jazeera in Site Hunt|last=Brown|first=Hagey|work=Wall Street Journal|date=March 10, 2013|access-date=August 2, 2013}}</ref> It also had a total of 12 bureaus located in places such as [[Washington, D.C.]], at the channel's D.C. studios at the [[Newseum]] and Al Jazeera's D.C. hub, [[Chicago]], [[Detroit]], [[Nashville]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Seattle]], [[New Orleans]], [[Dallas]], [[Denver]], [[Miami]], and [[San Francisco]] (former headquarters of [[Current TV]] and current headquarters of online channel [[AJ+]]).<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Guthrie |first=Marisa |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/al-jazeera-america-can-oil-586074 |title=Al Jazeera America: Can Oil Money Buy Relevance for the Controversial Network? |magazine=Hollywood Reporter |date=July 18, 2013 |access-date=October 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/05/28/al-jazeera-americas-biggest-challenge-getting-people-to-show-up|title=Al Jazeera America's biggest challenge: 'getting people to show up'|last1=Enda|first1=Jodi|last2=Guskin|first2=Emily|work=Pew Research Center|date=May 28, 2013|access-date=August 20, 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 buisness 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>


The channel was the sister channel of Al Jazeera's international English language news channel [[Al Jazeera English]]. Although operated and managed completely separately with America's management based in the United States, the two shared United States studios and bureaus, such as the D.C. hub, and Al Jazeera America ran some of Al Jazeera English's programming and many of its live newscasts alongside its own.
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.<ref name="unicorn">{{cite web|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/07/al-jazeera-america-a-unicorn-is-born.html|title=Al Jazeera America: A Unicorn Is Born|last=Pompeo|first=Joe|work=New York Magazine|date=July 11, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref> It plans to have a total of 800 employees at launch.


==History==
The network will launch on the week of August 24, 2013 and will have fewer commercials than its competitors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/493963-Exclusive_Al_Jazeera_America_to_Launch_Week_of_Aug_24.php|title=Exclusive: Al Jazeera America to Launch Week of Aug. 24|last=Morabito|first=Andrea|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=June 10, 2013|accessdate=June 21, 2013}}</ref> On July 3, 2013 Ali Velshi confirmed that Al Jazeera America's launch will take place on August 20, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-launching-august-20_b186784|title=Al Jazeera America Launching August 20|last=Weprin|first=Alex|work=TV Newser|date=July 3, 2013|accessdate=July 11, 2013}}</ref>

===Creation===
The creation of Al Jazeera America was announced on January 2, 2013, along with the announcement that the network had purchased the user-generated content channel turned [[American progressive|progressive-oriented]] pay television channel [[Current TV]], which had long been struggling in the ratings and after two format changes had announced in October 2012 that it was considering a sale of the channel.<ref name=reutersann>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aljazeera-current-idUSBRE90200D20130103|title=Al Jazeera buys Gore's Current TV, terms undisclosed|last1=Zeidler|first1=Sue|last2=Baker|first2=Liana|work=Reuters|date=January 3, 2013|access-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref> It was reported that Al Jazeera planned on shutting down Current TV, keeping its production staff and possibly some programs, and using the company's distribution network to broadcast Al Jazeera America.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://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|access-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref> Current TV, by coincidence, was formerly [[Newsworld International]], an international news channel similar to Al Jazeera America run by the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]].

On July 22, 2013, Al Jazeera America named former [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] Vice President [[Kate O'Brian]] as president of the network, and [[Ehab Al Shihabi]] as interim [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] in charge of business affairs. In addition, former CNN veteran David Doss was named Vice President of News Programming and former [[CBS News]] executive Marcy McGinnis was named Vice President of News Gathering. Former MSNBC executive Shannon High-Bassalik was named Senior Vice President of Documentaries and Programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-poaches-abc-news-veteran-kate-obrian-to-be-president_b189207 |title=ABC News Veteran Kate O'Brian Named President of Al Jazeera America – TVNewser |publisher=Mediabistro.com |date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>

Al Jazeera said it received more than 21,000 job applications for 400 positions at its U.S. network. Approximately 200 Current TV employees, including some 50 in editorial, were absorbed by the new operation.<ref name="unicorn">{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/07/al-jazeera-america-a-unicorn-is-born.html|title=Al Jazeera America: A Unicorn Is Born|last=Pompeo|first=Joe|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=July 11, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> It planned to have a total of 800 employees at the channel's launch. Al Jazeera America also announced that the channel would employ 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|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>

On July 3, 2013, Ali Velshi confirmed that Al Jazeera America's launch would take place on August 20, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-launching-august-20_b186784|title=Al Jazeera America Launching August 20|last=Weprin|first=Alex|work=TV Newser|date=July 3, 2013|access-date=July 11, 2013}}</ref> The launch took place at 3:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]] on that date, with an hour-long preview special entitled ''This is Al Jazeera''. News coverage began immediately afterward at 4:00&nbsp;p.m. Al Jazeera America's website launched on August 8, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://america.aljazeera.com |title=Fact-Based, In-Depth News |publisher=Al Jazeera America |access-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000647/http://america.aljazeera.com/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref>

==Closure==
On January 14, 2016, the Al Jazeera Media Network announced that it would shut down Al Jazeera America's pay-TV and online operations on April 30, 2016, citing plummeting oil prices and the highly competitive nature of the American media market; the channel's last day of operation was later confirmed to be April 12.<ref>Kaplan, Emily [http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/01/27/nfl-al-jazeera-hgh-investigation Al Jazeera, HGH and the NFL: Where Things Stand] ''Sports Illustrated''. January 29, 2016</ref> It was also reported that this closure would lead to the loss of about 700 jobs.<ref>Stetler, Brian and Tom Kludt [https://money.cnn.com/2016/01/22/media/al-jazeera-america-what-went-wrong/index.html The final days of Al Jazeera America] ''CNN Money''. January 27, 2016</ref> During its two-year history, Al Jazeera America won several media awards including the [[Peabody Award|Peabody]], [[Emmy]], and [[Shorty Awards]] and citations from groups such as the [[National Association of Black Journalists]] and [[Native American Journalists Association|Native American Journalist Association]]. However, the network experienced low viewership ratings, averaging between 20,000 and 40,000 viewers on a typical day.<ref name="AJ America 14 Jan 2016">{{cite news|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/1/13/al-jazeera-america-to-close-down.html|title=Al Jazeera America to close down|work=Al Jazeera America|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kludt|first1=Tom|last2=Stelter|first2=Brian|title=Al Jazeera America to shut down in April|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/01/13/media/al-jazeera-america/|access-date=January 14, 2016|website=[[CNN Money]]|date=January 14, 2016}}</ref> Following the network's shutdown, [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] is planning on expanding its digital presence in the United States through ventures such as United States-based [[AJ+]].<ref name="AJ 14 Jan 2016">{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/al-jazeera-160113151725873.html|title=Al Jazeera America to expand digital operations in the US|work=Al Jazeera|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=Koblin>{{cite news|last1=Koblin|first1=John|title=Al Jazeera America to Shut Down by April|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/business/media/al-jazeera-america-to-shut-down-in-april.html|access-date=January 13, 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 13, 2016}}</ref>

On February 11, 2016, writing in the television trade magazine, ''[[Broadcasting & Cable]]'', industry pundit [[Joe Mohen]] proposed a provocative thesis that the business failure of Al Jazeera America was only because it chose the wrong distribution channel, namely, subscription television. Mohen argued that by the time of Al Jazeera America's launch, the demographics of pay-TV news viewers in the United States market were people in their sixties whereas the natural audience of Al Jazeera was people under 34 years old; had the parent company instead launched the linear news channel as a Netflix-type app, with full online distribution, then it could have grown its audience using search and sold its commercials programmatically.<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine=Broadcasting & Cable | title=Al Jazeera America Shutdown Proves Flawed Strategy Always Undermines Great Execution | date=February 11, 2016 | publisher=New Bay Media |location=New York | last=Mohen |first=Joe | url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/bc-beat/guest-blog-al-jazeera-america-shutdown-proves-flawed-strategy-always-undermines-great-execution/153747 }}</ref>

On February 26, 2016, the Al Jazeera America website ceased operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/241690107/al-jazeera-america-says-goodbye|title=Al Jazeera America says Goodbye|last=Karon|first=Tony|work=Big News Network|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref>

On March 27, 2016, CNN correspondents Brian Stelter and Tom Kludt wrote an in-depth analysis of Al Jazeera America's closure. Among the many reasons for the closure cited in the article were low viewership and falling oil prices. But the article also pointed to "deeper-rooted problems". These problems included poor decision making and management on behalf of Al Jazeera higher-ups&nbsp;– specifically CEO Ehab Al Shihabi. The article stated that they lacked a business plan and made faulty branding choices such as refusing to change the name "Al Jazeera". Stelter and Kludt also suggested that political issues could have played into the channel's demise. During the Bush administration, the President and other officials openly criticized Al Jazeera for airing messages from [[Al-Qaeda]] figures.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/22/AR2005112201784.html|title=Paper Says Bush Talked of Bombing Arab TV Network|last1=Sullivan|first1=Kevin|date=November 23, 2005|last2=Pincus|first2=Walter|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|access-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> This could have been part of the reason why Al Jazeera America struggled to get major pay-TV providers like Comcast and DirecTV to carry the channel.<ref name="Stelter">{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/01/22/media/al-jazeera-america-what-went-wrong/index.html|title=The final days of Al Jazeera America|last1=Stelter|first1=Brian|last2=Kludt|first2=Tom|website=CNNMoney|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref>

On April 12, 2016, Al Jazeera America signed off for the final time; its final program to air on the network was a live three-hour retrospective film titled "Your Stories" that aired twice from 3PM until the shuttering. Antonio Mora and Richelle Carey, the first two anchors to appear on air when it launched August 20, 2013, were the last two anchors to appear as the network signed off the air at 8:59 p.m. ET. Shortly afterwards, a slide was shown with the Al Jazeera logo above a simple message that read "Al Jazeera America is no longer available. Thank you for watching" with the network's English web address shown below it.

During the time that Al Jazeera America was in existence, Al Jazeera English and AJE programs that were shown on Al Jazeera America were [[Geo-blocking|geoblocked]] in the United States owing to agreements with the carriers of Al Jazeera America. Programs from Al Jazeera English not shown on Al Jazeera America (such as ''[[Empire (Al Jazeera TV series)|Empire]]'' and ''UpFront'') were some of the few unblocked during the time and therefore visible on [[Aljazeera.com|Al Jazeera English's website]]. In September 2016, Al Jazeera English's online live stream and the programs which were blocked in the United States during Al Jazeera America's existence were officially un-geoblocked in the United States, making them viewable for the first time since 2013.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}


==Content and programs==
==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."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/business/media/american-al-jazeera-channel-shifs-focus-to-us-news.html |title= Al Jazeera America Shifts Focus to U.S. News |author=Brian Stelter |date=May 26, 2013 |work=[[New York Times]]}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-al-jazeera-america-20130610,0,3201847.story|title=Al Jazeera America promises less political chat and celebrity news|last=Flint|first=Joe|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 11, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref> Its three-hour morning program will have a different format focusing on hard news and not "a group of anchors chatting on a couch."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-to-launch-in-august-with-fewer-commercials-than-competitors_b183230|title=Al Jazeera America To Launch In August, With Fewer Commercials Than Competitors|last=Weprin|first=Alex|work=Media Bistro|date=June 11, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>
It was announced that 60% of the channel's programming would be produced in America, while an additional 40% would come from [[Al Jazeera English]]. That was later changed to almost all of the channel's program content being sourced from the United States. In an interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'', head of international operations Ehab Al Shihabi said Al Jazeera America's content would on most days primarily concern domestic affairs. However, Shihabi added, "Al Jazeera's seventy 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."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/business/media/american-al-jazeera-channel-shifs-focus-to-us-news.html |title= Al Jazeera America Shifts Focus to U.S. News |author=Brian Stelter |date=May 26, 2013 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>


Al Shihabi said that the channel would feature less political discussion and celebrity news and that news gathering would take priority over maximizing profits (the network was to air only six minutes of commercials per hour, a rate far less than competing networks).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-al-jazeera-america-20130610,0,3201847.story|title=Al Jazeera America promises less political chat and celebrity news|last=Flint|first=Joe|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 11, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/BC_Beat/33941-Al_Jazeera_America_Execs_Preview_New_Network_With_Less_Yelling_Fewer_Celebrities_.php|title=Al Jazeera America Execs Preview New Network With 'Less Yelling, Fewer Celebrities'|last=Malone|first=Michael|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=August 15, 2013|access-date=August 22, 2013}}</ref> Its three-hour morning program was to have a different format focusing on hard news and not "a group of anchors chatting on a couch".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-to-launch-in-august-with-fewer-commercials-than-competitors_b183230|title=Al Jazeera America To Launch In August, With Fewer Commercials Than Competitors|last=Weprin|first=Alex|work=Media Bistro|date=June 11, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>
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.<ref name="unicorn"/> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/business/media/american-al-jazeera-channel-shifs-focus-to-us-news.html|title=Al Jazeera America Shifts Focus to U.S. News|last=Stelter|first=Brian|work=New York Times|date=May 26, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>


Al Jazeera America aired live programming at all hours, including half-hour news bulletins.<ref name="unicorn"/> Three Al Jazeera English programs that were based in Washington, ''[[The Stream (news programme)|The Stream]]'', ''Inside Story'' and ''Fault Lines'' were included on the launch schedule, as well as ''The Frost Interview'' and ''Listening Post''. The flagship nighttime show was called ''[[America Tonight]]''. It was a weeknight news magazine that presented the day's news in Al Jazeera's long-form style with "stories that are not covered elsewhere".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/business/media/american-al-jazeera-channel-shifs-focus-to-us-news.html|title=Al Jazeera America Shifts Focus to U.S. News|last=Stelter|first=Brian|work=The New York Times|date=May 26, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>
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''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/meet-team-john-meehan|title=Meet the Team - Senior Executive Producer for Business Programming John Meehan|work=Al Jazeera America|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref> that is slated to be a nightly show by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/04/ali-velshi-joins-al-jazeera-america-160890.html|title=Ali Velshi Joins Al Jazeera America|last=Weinger|first=Mackenzie|work=Politico|date=April 4, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>
Al Jazeera America's original senior executive producer for news and special projects was Bob Wheelock, a former senior producer for ABC and NBC News. Wheelock left the network shortly after the launch to head up a political campaign in Delaware. [[CNN]] chief business correspondent and the anchor of ''[[Your Money]]'', [[Ali Velshi]] was the first major name to join Al Jazeera America. He hosted a daily, half-hour show originally called ''Real Money with Ali Velshi'', (later called ''[[Ali Velshi on Target]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/meet-team-john-meehan|title=Meet the Team Senior Executive Producer for Business Programming John Meehan|work=Al Jazeera America|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> The show was originally going to be once a week until the end of 2013 when it was re-launched as a daily show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/04/ali-velshi-joins-al-jazeera-america-160890.html|title=Ali Velshi Joins Al Jazeera America|last=Weinger|first=Mackenzie|work=Politico|date=April 4, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>


[[File:Newseum by Matthew Bisanz.JPG|thumb|[[Newseum]] Home of Al Jazeera America's former premiere D.C. studio and [[America Tonight]]]]
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/josh-bernstein-tapped-as-investigative-reporter-for-al-jazeera-america_b183074|title=Josh Bernstein Tapped As Investigative Reporter For Al Jazeera America|last=Weprin|first=Alex|work=Media Bistro|date=June 10, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref> <ref>http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-names-trevor-aaronson-16-member-investigative-unit</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/andrea-stone-and-tony-karon-join-al-jazeera-america|title=Andrea Stone and Tony Karon to Join Al Jazeera America|work=Al Jazeera America|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>
The channel also hired [[Kim Bondy]], a former executive producer with CNN to produce its flagship news program ''[[America Tonight]]'', a news magazine program that was hosted by original [[CNN International]] anchor and former CBS News correspondent [[Joie Chen]], produced from Al Jazeera America's [[Newseum]] studio in Washington, D.C., and featuring correspondents [[Adam May (television reporter)|Adam May]], [[Lori Jane Gliha]], former [[CBS]], [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] news correspondent [[Sheila MacVicar]] and former [[Current TV]] correspondent [[Christof Putzel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/07/joie-chen-to-host-al-jazeera-americas-america-tonight-168998.html|title=Joie Chen to host Al Jazeera America's 'America Tonight'|last=Byers|first=Dylan|work=Politico|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=August 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-will-broadcast-nightly-primetime-current-affairs-magazine |title=Al Jazeera America will broadcast nightly primetime current affairs magazine |work=Al Jazeera America |access-date=June 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623024903/http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-will-broadcast-nightly-primetime-current-affairs-magazine |archive-date=June 23, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-names-sheila-macvicar-correspondent-america-tonight |title=Al Jazeera America names Sheila MacVicar correspondent for America Tonight |publisher=Al Jazeera America |date=July 15, 2013 |access-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719072605/http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-names-sheila-macvicar-correspondent-america-tonight |archive-date=July 19, 2013 }}</ref> The program presented in-depth segments each night on the economy, government, education, healthcare and the environment, and include breaking news stories. The program also featured work by the Al Jazeera America investigative unit and covers 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'' also incorporated 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/soledad-obrien-al-jazeera-america_n_3528378.html|title=Soledad O'Brien Becomes Al Jazeera America Correspondent|last=Mirkinson|first=Jack|work=Huffington Post|date=July 1, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>


An American version of the popular Al Jazeera English program ''The Stream'' was originally featured on the channel. Produced from Al Jazeera's Washington, D.C. hub, and hosted by veteran journalist and former ABC News correspondent [[Lisa Fletcher]]. The show 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 enabled viewers to engage 24 hours a day with new content, comments, user-generated videos and a variety of posts. ''The Stream'' relied 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 allowed 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 also hosted Google+ Hangouts and uses Skype rather than satellite feeds for nearly all guest interviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/stream-join-al-jazeera-americas-daily-program-lineup |title='The Stream' to Join Al Jazeera America's Daily Program Lineup |work=Al Jazeera America |date=June 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621225455/http://america.aljazeera.com/update/stream-join-al-jazeera-americas-daily-program-lineup |archive-date=June 21, 2013 }}</ref> Less hard-news orientated than Al Jazeera America's other shows, guests included everyone from civil rights group leaders to [[Kathy Griffin]].
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 corespondent [[Joie Chen]] and be produced from Al Jazeera America's [[Newseum]] Washington D.C. studio and featuring corespondents [[Adam May]], [[Lori Jane Gliha]], former [[CBS]], [[American Broacasting Company|ABC]] and [[CBC]] news correspondent [[Sheila MacVicar]] and former [[Current TV]] corespondent [[Christof Putzel]].<ref>http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/07/joie-chen-to-host-al-jazeera-americas-america-tonight-168998.html</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-will-broadcast-nightly-primetime-current-affairs-magazine |title=Al Jazeera America will broadcast nightly primetime current affairs magazine|work=Al Jazeera America|accessdate=June 19, 2013}}</ref> <ref>http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-names-sheila-macvicar-correspondent-america-tonight</ref> 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 corespondent for ''America Tonight'', as well as a deal with her production company Starfish Media Group to produce long-form documentaries for Al Jazeera America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/soledad-obrien-al-jazeera-america_n_3528378.html|title=Soledad O'Brien Becomes Al Jazeera America Correspondent|last=Mirkinson|first=Jack|work=Huffington Post|date=July 1, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>


On July 21, 2013, the network hired former Fox News, MSNBC, and Current TV veteran [[David Shuster]] to host a show during "the evening hours".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/21/david-shuster-al-jazeera-america_n_3632585.html|title=David Shuster Joining Al Jazeera America: Source|last=Calderone|first=Michael|work=The Huffington Post|date=July 21, 2013|access-date=August 21, 2013}}</ref> Shuster became an analyst on the midday and evening news on the channel as well as a fill in host. It later hired [[Andrea Stone]], most recently of ''[[The Huffington Post]]'', and [[Tony Karon]], most recently of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', to manage both U.S. and global coverage for the channel's website and other digital platforms. The two were responsible for determining the overall editorial direction for the site and were based in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/andrea-stone-and-tony-karon-join-al-jazeera-america |title=Andrea Stone and Tony Karon to Join Al Jazeera America |work=Al Jazeera America |access-date=July 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507152802/http://america.aljazeera.com/update/andrea-stone-and-tony-karon-join-al-jazeera-america |archive-date=May 7, 2013 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/stream-join-al-jazeera-americas-daily-program-lineup|title='The Stream' to Join Al Jazeera America's Daily Program Lineup|work=Al Jazeera America|date=June 19, 2013}}</ref>


On July 26, 2013, the network announced that former ''[[Good Morning America]]'' host and award-winning journalist [[Antonio Mora]] would host a current events talk show called ''[[Consider This (TV series)|Consider This]]'', a program which showcased "hard-hitting interviews and panel discussions on issues important to American viewers". ''Consider This'' also featured interactive segments where the audience will join the conversation via social media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/antonio-mora-joins-al-jazeera-america-host-consider |title=Antonio Mora joins Al Jazeera America as host of "Consider This" |publisher=Al Jazeera America |date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731201539/http://america.aljazeera.com/update/antonio-mora-joins-al-jazeera-america-host-consider |archive-date=July 31, 2013 }}</ref> The first episode of the show highlighted the hunger strike and court-approved force-feeding in California's prison system. After the show's cancellation during a schedule re-do to raise ratings and lower costs Mora anchored the late news. The show was replaced by a similar program ''Third Rail''.
On July 21st the network hired former Fox News and MSNBC veteran [[David Shuster]] to host a show during "the evening hours".<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/21/david-shuster-al-jazeera-america_n_3632585.html</ref>


[[Kathy Davidov]] and [[Cynthia Kane]] were hired as the senior executive producer and senior producer for its in-house documentary film unit. Davidov came from the [[National Geographic Channel]], where she produced shows such as ''[[Border Wars (TV series)|Border Wars]]'' and the ''[[Explorer]]'' special. Kane came from [[ITVS]], where she managed over 150 projects and worked with the [[Sundance Channel (United States)|Sundance Channel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/article/television/al-jazeera-america-doc-team |title=Al Jazeera America Announces Plans to Produce and Acquire Documentaries&#124;Filmmakers,FilmIndustry,FilmFestivals, Awards & Movie Reviews |publisher=Indiewire |date=October 26, 2012 |access-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>
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.<ref>http://america.aljazeera.com/update/antonio-mora-joins-al-jazeera-america-host-consider</ref>


On April 13, 2014 the channel began showing ''[[Borderland (television series)|Borderland]]'', a documentary series on illegal immigration which follows six Americans as they retrace the fatal journey of three undocumented migrants who died attempting to cross into the United States. ''[[Borderland (television series)|Borderland]]'' was the first such documentary series for the channel. A second one called ''The System'' focused on the [[Incarceration in the United States|U.S. prison system]].
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/al-jazeera-america-names-4-anchors-102406|title=Al Jazeera America Names 4 Anchors|last=Molloy|first=Tim|work=The Wrap|date=July 11, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>


==Investigative reporting==
[[Mike Viqueira]] was hired on June 5, 2013 to be Al Jazeera America's first ever [[White House]] correspondent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbcs-mike-viqueira-named-white-house-correspondent-for-al-jazeera-america_b182458|title=NBC's Mike Viqueira Named White House Correspondent For Al Jazeera America|last=Weprin|first=Alex|work=Media Bistro|date=June 5, 2013|accessdate=July 12, 2013}}</ref>
The channel had a 16-person investigative unit and hired veteran National Headline Award-winning journalist Edward Pound (formerly of ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', ''[[USA Today]]'', ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' and the ''[[National Journal]]'') to lead its investigation division. [[Josh Bernstein]] of [[Denver]] [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[KDVR]] 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 served as the networks investigative digital reporter based in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/josh-bernstein-tapped-as-investigative-reporter-for-al-jazeera-america_b183074|title=Josh Bernstein Tapped As Investigative Reporter For Al Jazeera America|last=Weprin|first=Alex|work=Media Bistro|date=June 10, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-names-trevor-aaronson-16-member-investigative-unit |title=Al Jazeera America names Trevor Aaronson to 16-member investigative unit |publisher=Al Jazeera America |date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> This was in addition to the Al Jazeera Investigative Reporting Unit controlled by Al Jazeera English.


Al Jazeera America was the first television national news outlet to report in-depth on the [[Flint water crisis]] on January 22, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Al Jazeera America Returns to Flint One Year After Revealing Water Crisis|url=http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/al-jazeera-america-returns-to-flint-one-year-after-revealing-water-crisis/282723|website=adweek.com|date=January 22, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ANALYSIS: How Michigan and National Reporters Covered the Flint Water Crisis|url=http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/02/02/analysis-how-michigan-and-national-reporters-co/208290|website=mediamatters.org|date=February 2016 }}</ref>
===Tentative programs list===
* ''News''
* ''America Tonight'', hosted by [[Joie Chen]]
* ''[[The Stream]]'', hosted by [[Lisa Fletcher]]
* ''Inside Story Americas''
* ''[[Fault Lines (TV series)|Fault Lines]]''
* ''Real Money with [[Ali Velshi]]''
* ''Consider This'', hosted by [[Antonio Mora]]
* A show hosted by [[David Shuster]]


==Availability==
==News staff==
Al Jazeera America's news anchors included [[Randall Pinkston]] (formerly of [[CBS News]]), [[John Seigenthaler (anchorman)|John Seigenthaler]] (formerly of [[NBC News]] and [[WSMV-TV|WSMV]] in Nashville), [[Antonio Mora]] (formerly of ABC News), [[Richelle Carey]] (formerly of CNN and HLN), [[Jonathan Betz]] (formerly of [[WFAA]] in Dallas and [[WWL-TV]] in New Orleans), [[Tony Harris (journalist)|Tony Harris]] (formerly of sister station [[Al Jazeera English]] and [[CNN]]), [[Del Walters]] (formerly of [[WJLA]] in Washington, D.C. and [[WMAR]] of Baltimore, MD) and [[Stephanie Sy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/al-jazeera-america-names-4-anchors-102406|title=Al Jazeera America Names 4 Anchors|last=Molloy|first=Tim|work=The Wrap|date=July 11, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>
The channel is expected to be available in at least 40 million American households, out of 100 million total.<ref name=reutersann>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/03/us-aljazeera-current-idUSBRE90200D20130103|title=Al Jazeera buys Gore's Current TV, terms undisclosed|last=Zeidler|first=Sue|last2=Baker|first2=Liana|work=Reuters|date=January 3, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref><ref name=welcome/> 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 [[Streaming media|live streamed]] online for free.<ref name=reutersann/> Al Jazeera America will not be live streamed online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/video/no-al-jazeera-america-live-stream |title=Bad news for cord cutters: Al Jazeera America won't be live streamed online|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|work=GigaOM|date=January 3, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> Al Jazeera America is expected to replace Current TV on [[Comcast]], [[Dish Network]], [[Verizon Fios|Verizon]], [[DirecTV]], and [[AT&T]].<ref name=welcome>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/01/20131474537707502.html|title=Welcome to America, Al Jazeera|last=O'Connor|first=Rory|work=Al Jazeera|date=January 4, 2013|accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name=forbesann>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2013/01/02/current-tv-near-sale-to-al-jazeera-likely-500-million-deal-for-al-gore-and-co|title=Current TV Sold To Al Jazeera; Possible $400 Million Deal For Al Gore and Co. [UPDATED]|last=Bercovici|first=Jeff|work=Forbes|date=January 2, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> The cable operator later said it will consider carriage of Al Jazeera America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/03/time-warner-cable-al-jazeera-america_n_2404879.html|title=Time Warner Cable Will Consider Carrying Al Jazeera's U.S. Network|last=Calderone|first=Michael|work=Huffington Post|date=January 3, 2013|accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref> Time Warner currently carries [[Al Jazeera English]] in the [[New York City]] market.

===Other people===
[[Mike Viqueira]] was hired on June 5, 2013 to be Al Jazeera America's first [[White House]] correspondent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbcs-mike-viqueira-named-white-house-correspondent-for-al-jazeera-america_b182458|title=NBC's Mike Viqueira Named White House Correspondent For Al Jazeera America|last=Weprin|first=Alex|work=Media Bistro|date=June 5, 2013|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>

In November 2013, Al Jazeera America hired [[Ray Suarez]], formerly of [[PBS Newshour]], to host [[Inside Story (TV programme)|Inside Story]].

==Former programming==

===Produced by Al Jazeera America===

* ''[[Ali Velshi on Target]]'' (formerly Real Money with Ali Velshi) – A show hosted by [[Ali Velshi]] from New York City that focuses on current affairs which provides context and analysis around current political and economic issues along with interviews.
* ''[[Inside Story (TV programme)|Inside Story]]'' – Hosted by [[Ray Suarez]] from Washington D.C. Show provides analysis, background and context on the top stories of the day. Each episode features a panel of expert guests who examine and debate domestic and international topics ripped from the headlines. The Al Jazeera English version continues.
* ''[[America Tonight]]'' – Al Jazeera America's flagship show, Hosted by [[Joie Chen]] from the [[Newseum]] in Washington D.C., a 30-minute-long news and current affairs magazine. Segments feature in-depth reports on subjects such as the economy, government, education, healthcare, and the environment, as well as breaking news featuring correspondents from across the country.
* ''[[News (Al Jazeera America)|Your World This Morning]]'' – Hosted by [[Stephanie Sy]], Del Walters, and [[Nicole Mitchell (meteorologist)|Nicole Mitchell]] (Weather) from New York City, Morning block of national and international news.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://insidecablenews.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/al-jazeera-america-to-expand-live-newscasts/|title=Al Jazeera America to Expand Live Newscasts… – Inside Cable News|work=Inside Cable News|date=March 26, 2015|access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref>
* ''[[News (Al Jazeera America)|News]]'' – Domestic and international News from New York City, hosted by various anchors including [[Tony Harris (journalist)|Tony Harris]], [[Antonio Mora]] and [[John Seigenthaler (anchorman)|John Seigenthaler]].
* ''[[Talk To Al Jazeera]]'' – Interview program with prominent world figures by various anchors and journalists.
* ''[[Fault Lines (TV series)|Fault Lines]]'' – Hosted by [[Josh Rushing]], [[Zeina Awad]], and [[Sebastian Walker]], A show that takes viewers behind a particular story and reports on it in-depth using in-depth interviews and investigative reporting. The show continues on Al Jazeera English.
* ''[[TechKnow]]'' – Hosted by Phil Torres and others from Los Angeles, a Fast-paced, 30-minute show that explores and exposes how the latest scientific discoveries are changing our lives. The show was taken over by Al Jazeera English after shutdown.
* ''Compass With Sheila Macvicar'' – Hosted by [[Sheila MacVicar]], program focuses on foreign policy issues.
* ''Third Rail'' – Hosted by [[Ali Velshi]] (formerly [[Imran Garda]]), weekly current affairs program tackling controversial issues and probe perspectives with moderated debate, three-person panels and reports from Al Jazeera correspondents around the world.
* ''Al Jazeera America Presents'' – Documentary and investigative series focused on a specific topic such as ''Borderland'' and ''The System''.
* ''[[Consider This (TV series)|Consider This]]'' – Weeknight current affairs talk show with [[Antonio Mora]] from New York City. Show featured interviews with prominent newsmakers, panel discussions that provide insight through varied perspectives and involvement of the show's audience using social media.
* ''Power Politics'' – Hosted by [[David Shuster]] from New York City, a political analysis show featuring in-depth looks into issues topping the poles (produced during U.S. election seasons).
* ''[[The Stream (news programme)|The Stream]]'' (American Version) – Hosted by [[Lisa Fletcher]] and Wajahat Ali from Washington, D.C., Current events discussion and debate show formatted to allow viewers to interact with the hosts and guests during the program via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ Hangouts and Skype. The Al Jazeera English version continues.

===Produced/provided by Al Jazeera English===

*''News from Al Jazeera English'':
** World news live from Al Jazeera's Doha broadcast centre
** World news live from Al Jazeera's London broadcast centre
** ''[[Newshour (Al Jazeera)|Newshour]]'' — an hour of world news and sport hosted from both of [[Al Jazeera English]]'s broadcast centres in Doha and London.
* ''[[Listening Post (TV programme)|Listening Post]]'' – Hosted by [[Richard Gizbert]] from London, Current affairs program that critiques journalism and the media industry around the world.
*''[[101 East]]'' — the weekly documentary series for issues of particular importance in Asia. Presenters or hosts have included Teymoor Nabili and [[Fauziah Ibrahim]]
*''[[People & Power]]'' — a biweekly program, originally hosted by [[Shereen El Feki]].
*''[[Witness (2006 TV programme)|Witness]]'' — the daily documentary-slot for films by the best of the world's independent film-makers. The strand aims to shine a light on the events and people long-forgotten by the global media and on those which never merited a mention in the first place.
* ''[[The Frost Interview]]'' (previously ''[[Frost Over The World]]'') was hosted by [[David Frost]]. Frost died in 2013, and show still aired posthumously with the family's consent.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}

===Produced jointly===

*''[[Al Jazeera Investigates]]'' — documentaries arising from the work of the Al Jazeera Investigative Unit.

===Imported===

* ''[[The Truth Is (TV program)|The Truth Is]]'' – series imported from [[Australia]].

Also airing at various times were the Al Jazeera English programs ''Earthrise'', ''Al Jazeera World'' and ''Al Jazeera Correspondent'' along with shows brought in from other channels in the UK and Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/al-jazeera-america-announces-programming-schedule-1200577998/|title=Al Jazeera America Announces Programming Schedule|last=Marechal|first=Al|work=Variety|date=August 14, 2013|access-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/tools/pressreleases/fact-based-in-depth-news-fills-al-jazeera-americas-programming.html|title=Fact-Based, In-Depth News Fills Al Jazeera America's Programming|work=Al Jazeera America|date=August 14, 2013|access-date=June 29, 2014}}</ref>

==Notable staff==

===Management===
* [[Kate O'Brian]] – President of Al Jazeera America

===On-air staff===
A complete list of hosts and correspondents is located in the box at the bottom.

====Anchors and hosts====
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Jonathan Betz]] – anchor/reporter
* [[Richelle Carey]] – anchor/reporter
* [[Joie Chen]] – host of ''America Tonight''
* [[Tony Harris (journalist)|Tony Harris]] – anchor of ''Early Evening News''
* [[Sheila MacVicar]] – host of ''Compass with Sheila MacVicar'' and ''America Tonight'' correspondent
* [[Nicole Mitchell (meteorologist)|Nicole Mitchell]] – meteorologist (now at [[KSTP-TV]] in Minneapolis)
* [[Antonio Mora]] – anchor of '' International Newshour''
* [[Randall Pinkston]] – anchor/reporter
* [[Cara Santa Maria]] – host of ''TechKnow''
* [[John Seigenthaler (anchorman)|John Seigenthaler]] – host of ''Nightly News''
* [[David Shuster]] – anchor/reporter, and host of ''Power Politics''
* [[John Henry Smith (reporter)|John Henry Smith]] – anchor/reporter
* [[Ray Suarez]] – host of ''Inside Story''
* [[Stephanie Sy]] – anchor
* [[Ali Velshi]] – host of ''On Target'' and ''Third Rail'' (now at [[MSNBC]])
{{div col end}}

===Correspondents===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Chris Bury]] – reporter and ''[[America Tonight]]'' correspondent
* [[Melissa Chan]] – San Francisco correspondent
* [[Lisa Fletcher]] – Correspondent and fill-in host
* [[Jami Floyd]] – contributor/legal contributor
* [[Lori Jane Gliha]] – ''America Tonight'' correspondent
* [[Sheila MacVicar]] – ''America Tonight'' correspondent
* [[Adam May (television reporter)|Adam May]] – ''America Tonight'' correspondent
* [[Soledad O'Brien]] – special correspondent
* [[Christof Putzel]] – ''America Tonight'' correspondent
* [[Ash-har Quraishi]] – Chicago bureau reporter
* [[Josh Rushing]] – ''Faultlines '' host/reporter
* [[Roxana Saberi]] – correspondent
* [[Bill Schneider (journalist)|William Schneider]] – political analyst and contributor
* [[Michael Shure]] – contributor/political contributor
* [[John Terrett]] – correspondent
* [[Mike Viqueira]] – White House correspondent
* [[Sebastian Walker]] – correspondent
* [[Jacob Ward]] – Science and Technology correspondent
{{div col end}}

[[File:Al Jazeera Office, Kuala Lumpur.jpg|thumb|Al Jazeera Office, Kuala Lumpur]]

==Awards==
In 2014, Al Jazeera America and producer Reed Lindsay won a [[Gracie Award]] in the "Outstanding Hard News Feature" category from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation for the story "Fists of Fury", which aired on ''[[America Tonight]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insidecablenews.wordpress.com/2014/02/19/al-jazeera-america-wins-first-award/ |title=Al Jazeera America Wins First Award &#124; Inside Cable News |publisher=Insidecablenews.wordpress.com |date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> The award was the first award ever for the channel.

Al Jazeera America also won a [[Shorty Award]] for "Best News Twitter Account".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/04/shorty-awards-winners-announced/ |title=Shorty Awards Winners Announced |magazine=Deadline.com |access-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:The crew of Made in Bangladesh at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards.jpg|thumb|right|The crew of "Made in Bangladesh" at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards]]
The Al Jazeera America show ''[[Fault Lines (TV series)|Fault Lines]]'' won two [[Peabody Awards]] in 2013 for the episodes "Haiti in a Time of Cholera"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fault Lines: Haiti in a Time of Cholera|url=https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/fault-lines-haiti-in-a-time-of-cholera-al-jazeera-america/|access-date=|website=[[The Peabody Awards]]|language=en-US}}</ref> and "Made in Bangladesh".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fault Lines: Made in Bangladesh|url=https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/fault-lines-made-in-bangladesh-al-jazeera-america/|access-date=|website=[[The Peabody Awards]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

The channel and ''Fault Lines'' also won a [[Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award]] for "Made in Bangladesh".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rfkcenter.org/announcing-the-2014-robert-f-kennedy-book-a-journalism-award-honorees |title=Announcing the 2014 Robert F. Kennedy Book & Journalism Award Honorees &#124; Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights &#124; Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights |publisher=Rfkcenter.org |access-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722191811/http://rfkcenter.org/announcing-the-2014-robert-f-kennedy-book-a-journalism-award-honorees |archive-date=July 22, 2014 }}</ref>

On September 30, 2014, ''Fault Lines'' won a [[News & Documentary Emmy Award]] in the Investigative Journalism News-magazine category for "Haiti in a Time of Cholera".<ref>{{Cite web|title=NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES ANNOUNCES WINNERS AT THE 35th ANNUAL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® AWARDS|url=http://cdn.emmyonline.org/news_35th_winners_v01.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314162148/http://cdn.emmyonline.org/news_35th_winners_v01.pdf|archive-date=2021-03-14|website=emmyonline.org}}</ref>

In early 2015, Al Jazeera America's digital team was recognized with an Award of Excellence for Photo Editing Portfolio in the [[Pictures of the Year International]] competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://poyi.org/72/R34/ae01_01.php|title=Award of Excellence – Editing Portfolio – Magazine|work=poyi.org|access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref>

In April 2015, Al Jazeera America won 16 National Headliner Awards including 7 first place wins in various categories including "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators [[Environmental journalism|environmental reporting]]" where It held all three top nomination spots with the ''[[Fault Lines (TV series)|Fault Lines]]'' episode "Water for Coal" winning overall, "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators investigative report" and "Best of TV" where the ''Fault Lines'' episode "Deadly Force" won, "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators documentary or series of reports" where the documentary "Killing the Messenger" won, "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators coverage of a major news event" where they also held the top three places with their coverage of "The Downing of MH14" winning, "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators newscast" where their coverage of the "Crisis in Yemen" and "ISIL on the Turkish Border" won and "online slideshow" for its digital team.<ref>{{Cite web|title=81st National Headliner Awards winners|url=http://www.headlinerawards.com/winners2015.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420171343/http://www.headlinerawards.com/winners2015.pdf|archive-date=2015-04-20|access-date=|website=www.headlinerawards.com}}</ref>

==Incidents==
While covering the [[2014 Ferguson unrest|Ferguson protests]] in 2014, officers from the [[Ferguson Police Department (Missouri)|Ferguson Police Department]] shot [[rubber bullets]] and [[tear gas]] at an AJAM news crew including correspondent [[Ash-har Quraishi]], who after yelling, "We're the press" caused them to abandon their recording equipment and run to safety.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Taibi|first1=Catherine|title=Ferguson Police Use Tear Gas On Al Jazeera America Team|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/14/al-jazeera-ferguson-tear-gas-journalists_n_5678081.html|access-date=August 16, 2014|work=[[Huffington Post]]|date=August 14, 2014}}</ref> The incident was caught on camera by [[KSDK-TV]], a local [[NBC]] affiliate who was filming from across the street. An officer was captured on video turning the reporters' video camera toward the ground and dismantling their equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/2014/08/14/crews-hit-with-bean-bags-tear-gas/14042747/|title=TV crews hit by bean bags, tear gas|author=Casey Nolen, KSDK|date=August 14, 2014|work=KSDK|access-date=May 17, 2015|archive-date=August 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814144913/http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/2014/08/14/crews-hit-with-bean-bags-tear-gas/14042747/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other incidents, including the arrests of two print journalists for ''[[The Washington Post]]'' and ''[[The Huffington Post]]'', also occurred during the same time period.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/05/19/ferguson-related-charges-dropped-against-washington-post-and-huffington-post-reporters/|title=Ferguson-related charges dropped against Washington Post and Huffington Post reporters|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=July 6, 2018}}</ref>

==Controversies==
On April 28, 2015, Matthew Luke, Al Jazeera America's former Supervisor of Media and Archive Management, filed a US$15 million lawsuit against his former employers over unfair dismissal. Luke alleged that he had been unfairly dismissed by the network after he had raised concerns with the human resource division that his boss, Osman Mahmud, the Senior Vice-President of Broadcast Operations and Technology, discriminated against female employees and made [[anti-Semitic]] remarks.<ref>{{Cite report |title=Matthew Luke versus Al Jazeera America and Osman Mahmud |url=https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/al-jazeera-discrimination-lawsuit.pdf |publisher=Deadline.com |docket=NYSCEF Doc. No. 2 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121230953/https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/al-jazeera-discrimination-lawsuit.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In response, [[Ehab Al Shihabi]], the head of Al Jazeera America, has announced that the network will contest the lawsuit in court. Mahmud has also denied Luke's charges and has alleged that Luke was a difficult employee. In an unrelated development, two female Al Jazeera America employees—Diana Lee, the Executive Vice-President for Human Resources, and Dawn Bridges, the Executive Vice President for Communications, had resigned that week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/fired-al-jazeera-america-employee-seeks-15-million-in-lawsuit/261382 |title=Fired Al Jazeera America Employee Seeks $15 Million in Lawsuit |author=Brian Flood |date=April 28, 2015 |publisher=TVNewser |access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ex-al-jazeera-employee-claims-fired-complaints-article-1.2202998 |title=Former Al Jazeera America employee claims he was fired after complaining about sexism, anti-Semitism |author=Brian Flood |date=April 29, 2015 |website=nydailynews.com |publisher=[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]] |access-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kludt|first1=Tom|title=Al Jazeera America exec tells staff that he will fight lawsuit|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/04/30/media/al-jazeera-lawsuit/|access-date=May 1, 2015|website=[[CNN Money]]|date=April 30, 2015}}</ref>

On May 4, 2015, Marcy McGinnis, a senior Al Jazeera America's executive and former [[CBS]] news anchor, resigned from the company for undisclosed reasons amidst internal dissension with AJAM's management.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Steinberg|first1=Brian|title=Marcy McGinnis, Senior Al Jazeera America Executive, Leaves Network|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/al-jazeera-america-marcy-mcginnis-leaves-1201486923/|access-date=May 8, 2015|publisher=Variety.com|date=May 4, 2015}}</ref> On May 5, 2015, Al Jazeera Media Network demoted Al Shihabi to Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Al Jazeera America. He was demoted from CEO after a report from ''[[The New York Times]]'' of an altercation between him and host [[Ali Velshi]] where he attempted to fire and sue the channel's top host.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/05/al-jazeera-america-appoints-new-ceo-206710.html|title=Al Jazeera America appoints new CEO|author=[[Hadas Gold]]|work=Politico|date=May 6, 2015 |access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> He was replaced by Al Anstey, the former managing director of [[Al Jazeera English]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bond|first1=Shannon|title=Al Jazeera America: Qatar's ambitions struggle on US screens|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/2011d6cc-f50e-11e4-8a42-00144feab7de.html#axzz3ZapbfW7J|access-date=May 8, 2015|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|date=May 8, 2015}}</ref> On June 11, 2015, Shannon High-Bassalik, AJAM's former senior vice president of programming and documentaries, filed a multi-million lawsuit against the channel; alleging a biased pro-Arab coverage and the mistreatment of employees. AJAM has responded that they would contest the lawsuit in court.<ref>{{cite news|title=Al Jazeera America abandoned 'journalistic objectivity,' new suit claims|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/06/11/media/al-jazeera-america-lawsuit/|access-date=July 13, 2015|publisher=[[CNNMoney]]|date=June 11, 2015}}</ref>

On November 8, 2015, it was reported that Al Jazeera America's general counsel, David W. Harleston, did not have a license to practice law. Harleston had previously dealt with several lawsuits involving [[DirecTV]] and [[Al Gore]], several wrongful termination cases by former employees, and the departure of the company's chief executive, Al Shihabi.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Runyeon|first1=Frank|last2=Koblin|first2=John|title=General Counsel for Al Jazeera America Appears to Be Unlicensed|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/09/business/media/general-counsel-for-al-jazeera-america-appears-to-be-unlicensed.html?action=click&contentCollection=Media&module=RelatedCoverage&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article|access-date=January 14, 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 8, 2016}}</ref>

===Reactions to "The Dark Side: Secrets of the Sports Dopers" documentary===
{{Main|The Dark Side: Secrets of the Sports Dopers}}
On December 27, 2015, [[Al Jazeera English]] released a report, aired on Al Jazeera America, conducted by the [[Al Jazeera English#Al Jazeera Investigative Unit|Al Jazeera Investigative Unit]] via [[Al Jazeera Investigates]] called "''The Dark Side: Secrets of the Sports Dopers''", which investigated professional athletes' alleged use of [[Performance-enhancing drugs]] (PEDs), naming [[Peyton Manning]] and other prominent athletes as having received drugs from Charles Sly, a pharmacist who had worked at the Guyer Anti-Aging Clinic in Indianapolis during the fall of 2011.<ref name="aljazeera1">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/dark-side-secrets-sports-dopers-151227133355144.html
|title=The Dark Side: The secret world of sports doping
|publisher=Al Jazeera English
|access-date=December 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web
|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14441114/documentary-links-peyton-manning-other-pro-athletes-use-peds |title=Documentary links Peyton Manning, other pro athletes to use of PEDs |website=[[ESPN.com]] |date=May 1, 2013 |access-date=December 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/12/29/al-jazeera-reporter-stresses-that-no-allegation-is-being-made-against-peyton-manning/
|title=Al Jazeera reporter stresses that no allegation is being made against Peyton Manning | ProFootballTalk
|website=[[Pro Football Talk]]
|date=December 29, 2015
|access-date=February 8, 2016}}</ref>

''The Huffington Post'' leaked the reports a day before Al Jazeera's publication.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/peyton-manning-human-growth-hormone_us_567f16e4e4b0b958f6599440|title=Explosive Documentary Links Peyton Manning, Major Athletes To Doping Ring|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=December 26, 2015|access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref> Then, Manning told [[ESPN]]'s [[Lisa Salters]] about the reports, despite the fact that the documentary had not yet been aired, in an interview on the morning of the 27th for ESPN ''[[Sunday NFL Countdown]]'' calling them "completely fabricated" and "garbage". He also expressed his anger that his wife, Ashley, had been mentioned in the documentary. Salters pointed to other cases in which athletes initially deny, and then eventually admit allegations, but Manning replied that he could not speak for others. Nevertheless, Manning also stated he had visited the Guyer Institute 35 times during 2011 and that he had received both medication and treatment from Guyer during this time.<ref name="denvbron">{{cite web|url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Transcript-Peyton-Manning-interviews-with-ESPNs-Lisa-Salters/f07ef954-bada-42fc-ab64-f9f38dc9fb49|title=Transcript: Peyton Manning interviews with ESPN's Lisa Salters|website=Denverbroncos.com|access-date=December 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229153146/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Transcript-Peyton-Manning-interviews-with-ESPNs-Lisa-Salters/f07ef954-bada-42fc-ab64-f9f38dc9fb49|archive-date=December 29, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Sly recanted his story and requested the report not to be aired via a YouTube video following the release of the report.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sports |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/charlie-sly-recants-statements-about-peyton-manning-2015-12 |title=Charlie Sly recants statements about Peyton Manning |website=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=December 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cleary |first=Tom |url=http://heavy.com/sports/2015/12/charles-charlie-sly-pharmacist-gave-peyton-manning-hgh-human-growth-hormone-texas-indiana-youtube-photos-al-jazeera-documentary-howard-zimmerman-james-harrison/ |title=Charlie Sly: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |website=[[Heavy.com]] |date=December 27, 2015 |access-date=December 29, 2015}}</ref> Sly later said he had never seen the Mannings and told ESPN's [[Chris Mortensen]] that he is not a pharmacist and was not at the Guyer Institute in 2011, as Al Jazeera claimed. However, state licensing records indicate that someone named "Charles David Sly" was licensed as a pharmacy intern in Indiana from April 2010 to May 2013 and that his license expired May 1, 2013.<ref name="abcny7">{{cite web|url=http://abc7ny.com/sports/documentary-links-peyton-manning-other-pro-athletes-to-use-of-peds/1136912 |title=Documentary links Peyton Manning, other pro athletes to use of PEDs |work=[[WABC-TV]] |date=May 1, 2013 |access-date=December 29, 2015}}</ref>

Manning decided to respond to the further allegations against him, and hired former [[Presidency of George W. Bush|George W. Bush]] press secretary [[Ari Fleischer]] to manage the issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25427627/report-manning-hires-crisis-manager-ari-fleischer-in-wake-of-hgh-documentary|title=Report: Peyton Manning turns to Ari Fleischer in wake of HGH doc|work=[[CBSSports.com]]|access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref> He also threatened to sue Al Jazeera but then decided against doing so.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2016/05/25/peyton-manning-hgh-allegations-al-jazeera/84922710/|title = Brennan: What's latest on NFL investigation into Peyton Manning HGH allegations?| website=[[USA Today]] }}</ref>

On January 5, 2016, it was announced that Ryan Howard and Ryan Zimmerman had filed civil lawsuits suing Al Jazeera for defamation following the publication's release of the documentary which linked them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/report--ryan-zimmerman-suing-al-jazeera-after-hgh-story-230924477.html|title=Ryan Zimmerman, Ryan Howard suing Al Jazeera after steroid story|website=[[Yahoo Sports]]}}</ref> In 2023, both lawsuits were dropped and [[Prejudice (legal term)|dismissed with prejudice]], with each of the parties bearing their own costs for the lawsuits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Red |first=Christian |date=2023-09-13 |title=Ryan Howard, Ryan Zimmerman Drop Lawsuits against Al Jazeera Over PED Documentary 'With Prejudice': The Backstory (Exclusive) |url=https://themessenger.com/sports/ryan-howard-ryan-zimmerman-drop-lawsuits-against-al-jazeera-over-ped-documentary-with-prejudice-the-backstory-exclusive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011204457/https://themessenger.com/sports/ryan-howard-ryan-zimmerman-drop-lawsuits-against-al-jazeera-over-ped-documentary-with-prejudice-the-backstory-exclusive |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=The Messenger |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Al Jazeera America News]]
* [[Al Jazeera Media Network]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Al Jazeera America}}
*{{Official website|http://america.aljazeera.com}}
* [https://www.facebook.com/AlJazeeraAmerica|Official Facebook Page]
* [https://twitter.com/ajam| Official Twitter Page]
* [http://aljazeeraamerica.tumblr.com/|Official Tumblr page]
* [https://plus.google.com/+aljazeeraamerica/posts|Official Google Plus page]


*[http://www.aljazeera.com/ Main site]
{{Al Jazeera}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/user/AlJazeeraAmerica YouTube channel]
*[http://www.broadcastprome.com/case-studies/breaking-news-ground/#.U5Y3VFJdUpI/ Broadcastprome.com: Story of building AJAM's studios and infrastructure in record time]
*[https://money.cnn.com/2016/01/22/media/al-jazeera-america-what-went-wrong/ CNN Money: The Final Days of Al Jazeera America, Profile on the channel told by staffers and ex-staffers.]
{{Portal bar|Television|United States|Journalism}}
{{Navboxes|list=
{{Al Jazeera America programming}}
{{Al Jazeera America anchors and reporters}}
{{Television news in the United States}}
{{Television news in the United States}}
{{Al Jazeera}}
}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Al Jazeera]]
[[Category:Al Jazeera]]
[[Category:24-hour television news channels in the United States]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:English-language television stations]]
[[Category:Defunct television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Mass media-related controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:External services (broadcasting)]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2013]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2013]]
[[Category:Media-related controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in New York]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:Proposed television channels and networks]]
[[Category:2016 disestablishments in the United States]]

[[de:Al Jazeera America]]

Latest revision as of 05:46, 15 July 2024

Al Jazeera America
LandVereinigte Staaten
Broadcast areaVereinigte Staaten
NetworkAl Jazeera
HauptsitzManhattan Center
New York City, New York
Programmierung
Language(s)Englisch
Ownership
OwnerAl Jazeera Media Network
Key peopleKate O'Brian
President
Al Anstey
Interim CEO
Sister channelsAl Jazeera English
AJ+
beIN Sport
History
LaunchedAugust 20, 2013 (2013-08-20)
ReplacedCurrent TV
ClosedApril 12, 2016 (2016-04-12)
Replaced byAl Jazeera English

Al Jazeera America was an American pay television news channel owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network. The channel was launched on August 20, 2013, to compete with CNN, HLN, MSNBC, Fox News, and in certain markets RT America. It was Al Jazeera's second entry into the U.S. television market, after the launch of beIN Sports in 2012. The channel, which had persistently low ratings, announced in January 2016 that it would close on 12 April 2016,[1] citing the "economic landscape".[2]

Al Jazeera America was headquartered and run from studios on the first floor of the Manhattan Center in New York City.[3][4][5] It also had a total of 12 bureaus located in places such as Washington, D.C., at the channel's D.C. studios at the Newseum and Al Jazeera's D.C. hub, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville, Los Angeles, Seattle, New Orleans, Dallas, Denver, Miami, and San Francisco (former headquarters of Current TV and current headquarters of online channel AJ+).[6][7]

The channel was the sister channel of Al Jazeera's international English language news channel Al Jazeera English. Although operated and managed completely separately with America's management based in the United States, the two shared United States studios and bureaus, such as the D.C. hub, and Al Jazeera America ran some of Al Jazeera English's programming and many of its live newscasts alongside its own.

History

[edit]

Erstellung

[edit]

The creation of Al Jazeera America was announced on January 2, 2013, along with the announcement that the network had purchased the user-generated content channel turned progressive-oriented pay television channel Current TV, which had long been struggling in the ratings and after two format changes had announced in October 2012 that it was considering a sale of the channel.[8] It was reported that Al Jazeera planned on shutting down Current TV, keeping its production staff and possibly some programs, and using the company's distribution network to broadcast Al Jazeera America.[9] Current TV, by coincidence, was formerly Newsworld International, an international news channel similar to Al Jazeera America run by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

On July 22, 2013, Al Jazeera America named former ABC News Vice President Kate O'Brian as president of the network, and Ehab Al Shihabi as interim CEO in charge of business affairs. In addition, former CNN veteran David Doss was named Vice President of News Programming and former CBS News executive Marcy McGinnis was named Vice President of News Gathering. Former MSNBC executive Shannon High-Bassalik was named Senior Vice President of Documentaries and Programs.[10]

Al Jazeera said it received more than 21,000 job applications for 400 positions at its U.S. network. Approximately 200 Current TV employees, including some 50 in editorial, were absorbed by the new operation.[4] It planned to have a total of 800 employees at the channel's launch. Al Jazeera America also announced that the channel would employ well-known veteran journalists, anchors, and producers.[11]

On July 3, 2013, Ali Velshi confirmed that Al Jazeera America's launch would take place on August 20, 2013.[12] The launch took place at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on that date, with an hour-long preview special entitled This is Al Jazeera. News coverage began immediately afterward at 4:00 p.m. Al Jazeera America's website launched on August 8, 2013.[13]

Closure

[edit]

On January 14, 2016, the Al Jazeera Media Network announced that it would shut down Al Jazeera America's pay-TV and online operations on April 30, 2016, citing plummeting oil prices and the highly competitive nature of the American media market; the channel's last day of operation was later confirmed to be April 12.[14] It was also reported that this closure would lead to the loss of about 700 jobs.[15] During its two-year history, Al Jazeera America won several media awards including the Peabody, Emmy, and Shorty Awards and citations from groups such as the National Association of Black Journalists and Native American Journalist Association. However, the network experienced low viewership ratings, averaging between 20,000 and 40,000 viewers on a typical day.[16][17] Following the network's shutdown, Al Jazeera Media Network is planning on expanding its digital presence in the United States through ventures such as United States-based AJ+.[18][19]

On February 11, 2016, writing in the television trade magazine, Broadcasting & Cable, industry pundit Joe Mohen proposed a provocative thesis that the business failure of Al Jazeera America was only because it chose the wrong distribution channel, namely, subscription television. Mohen argued that by the time of Al Jazeera America's launch, the demographics of pay-TV news viewers in the United States market were people in their sixties whereas the natural audience of Al Jazeera was people under 34 years old; had the parent company instead launched the linear news channel as a Netflix-type app, with full online distribution, then it could have grown its audience using search and sold its commercials programmatically.[20]

On February 26, 2016, the Al Jazeera America website ceased operations.[21]

On March 27, 2016, CNN correspondents Brian Stelter and Tom Kludt wrote an in-depth analysis of Al Jazeera America's closure. Among the many reasons for the closure cited in the article were low viewership and falling oil prices. But the article also pointed to "deeper-rooted problems". These problems included poor decision making and management on behalf of Al Jazeera higher-ups – specifically CEO Ehab Al Shihabi. The article stated that they lacked a business plan and made faulty branding choices such as refusing to change the name "Al Jazeera". Stelter and Kludt also suggested that political issues could have played into the channel's demise. During the Bush administration, the President and other officials openly criticized Al Jazeera for airing messages from Al-Qaeda figures.[22] This could have been part of the reason why Al Jazeera America struggled to get major pay-TV providers like Comcast and DirecTV to carry the channel.[23]

On April 12, 2016, Al Jazeera America signed off for the final time; its final program to air on the network was a live three-hour retrospective film titled "Your Stories" that aired twice from 3PM until the shuttering. Antonio Mora and Richelle Carey, the first two anchors to appear on air when it launched August 20, 2013, were the last two anchors to appear as the network signed off the air at 8:59 p.m. ET. Shortly afterwards, a slide was shown with the Al Jazeera logo above a simple message that read "Al Jazeera America is no longer available. Thank you for watching" with the network's English web address shown below it.

During the time that Al Jazeera America was in existence, Al Jazeera English and AJE programs that were shown on Al Jazeera America were geoblocked in the United States owing to agreements with the carriers of Al Jazeera America. Programs from Al Jazeera English not shown on Al Jazeera America (such as Empire and UpFront) were some of the few unblocked during the time and therefore visible on Al Jazeera English's website. In September 2016, Al Jazeera English's online live stream and the programs which were blocked in the United States during Al Jazeera America's existence were officially un-geoblocked in the United States, making them viewable for the first time since 2013.[citation needed]

Content and programs

[edit]

It was announced that 60% of the channel's programming would be produced in America, while an additional 40% would come from Al Jazeera English. That was later changed to almost all of the channel's program content being sourced from the United States. In an interview with The New York Times, head of international operations Ehab Al Shihabi said Al Jazeera America's content would on most days primarily concern domestic affairs. However, Shihabi added, "Al Jazeera's seventy 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."[24]

Al Shihabi said that the channel would feature less political discussion and celebrity news and that news gathering would take priority over maximizing profits (the network was to air only six minutes of commercials per hour, a rate far less than competing networks).[25][26] Its three-hour morning program was to have a different format focusing on hard news and not "a group of anchors chatting on a couch".[27]

Al Jazeera America aired live programming at all hours, including half-hour news bulletins.[4] Three Al Jazeera English programs that were based in Washington, The Stream, Inside Story and Fault Lines were included on the launch schedule, as well as The Frost Interview and Listening Post. The flagship nighttime show was called America Tonight. It was a weeknight news magazine that presented the day's news in Al Jazeera's long-form style with "stories that are not covered elsewhere".[28]

Al Jazeera America's original senior executive producer for news and special projects was Bob Wheelock, a former senior producer for ABC and NBC News. Wheelock left the network shortly after the launch to head up a political campaign in Delaware. CNN chief business correspondent and the anchor of Your Money, Ali Velshi was the first major name to join Al Jazeera America. He hosted a daily, half-hour show originally called Real Money with Ali Velshi, (later called Ali Velshi on Target).[29] The show was originally going to be once a week until the end of 2013 when it was re-launched as a daily show.[30]

Newseum Home of Al Jazeera America's former premiere D.C. studio and America Tonight

The channel also hired Kim Bondy, a former executive producer with CNN to produce its flagship news program America Tonight, a news magazine program that was hosted by original CNN International anchor and former CBS News correspondent Joie Chen, produced from Al Jazeera America's Newseum studio in Washington, D.C., and featuring correspondents Adam May, Lori Jane Gliha, former CBS, ABC and CBC news correspondent Sheila MacVicar and former Current TV correspondent Christof Putzel.[31][32][33] The program presented in-depth segments each night on the economy, government, education, healthcare and the environment, and include breaking news stories. The program also featured work by the Al Jazeera America investigative unit and covers 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 also incorporated 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.[34]

An American version of the popular Al Jazeera English program The Stream was originally featured on the channel. Produced from Al Jazeera's Washington, D.C. hub, and hosted by veteran journalist and former ABC News correspondent Lisa Fletcher. The show 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 enabled viewers to engage 24 hours a day with new content, comments, user-generated videos and a variety of posts. The Stream relied 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 allowed 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 also hosted Google+ Hangouts and uses Skype rather than satellite feeds for nearly all guest interviews.[35] Less hard-news orientated than Al Jazeera America's other shows, guests included everyone from civil rights group leaders to Kathy Griffin.

On July 21, 2013, the network hired former Fox News, MSNBC, and Current TV veteran David Shuster to host a show during "the evening hours".[36] Shuster became an analyst on the midday and evening news on the channel as well as a fill in host. It later hired Andrea Stone, most recently of The Huffington Post, and Tony Karon, most recently of Time, to manage both U.S. and global coverage for the channel's website and other digital platforms. The two were responsible for determining the overall editorial direction for the site and were based in New York City.[37]

On July 26, 2013, the network announced that former Good Morning America host and award-winning journalist Antonio Mora would host a current events talk show called Consider This, a program which showcased "hard-hitting interviews and panel discussions on issues important to American viewers". Consider This also featured interactive segments where the audience will join the conversation via social media.[38] The first episode of the show highlighted the hunger strike and court-approved force-feeding in California's prison system. After the show's cancellation during a schedule re-do to raise ratings and lower costs Mora anchored the late news. The show was replaced by a similar program Third Rail.

Kathy Davidov and Cynthia Kane were hired as the senior executive producer and senior producer for its in-house documentary film unit. Davidov came from the National Geographic Channel, where she produced shows such as Border Wars and the Explorer special. Kane came from ITVS, where she managed over 150 projects and worked with the Sundance Channel.[39]

On April 13, 2014 the channel began showing Borderland, a documentary series on illegal immigration which follows six Americans as they retrace the fatal journey of three undocumented migrants who died attempting to cross into the United States. Borderland was the first such documentary series for the channel. A second one called The System focused on the U.S. prison system.

Investigative reporting

[edit]

The channel had a 16-person investigative unit and hired veteran National Headline Award-winning journalist Edward Pound (formerly of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report and the National Journal) to lead its investigation division. Josh Bernstein of Denver Fox affiliate KDVR 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 served as the networks investigative digital reporter based in Washington, D.C.[40][41] This was in addition to the Al Jazeera Investigative Reporting Unit controlled by Al Jazeera English.

Al Jazeera America was the first television national news outlet to report in-depth on the Flint water crisis on January 22, 2015.[42][43]

News staff

[edit]

Al Jazeera America's news anchors included Randall Pinkston (formerly of CBS News), John Seigenthaler (formerly of NBC News and WSMV in Nashville), Antonio Mora (formerly of ABC News), Richelle Carey (formerly of CNN and HLN), Jonathan Betz (formerly of WFAA in Dallas and WWL-TV in New Orleans), Tony Harris (formerly of sister station Al Jazeera English and CNN), Del Walters (formerly of WJLA in Washington, D.C. and WMAR of Baltimore, MD) and Stephanie Sy.[44]

Other people

[edit]

Mike Viqueira was hired on June 5, 2013 to be Al Jazeera America's first White House correspondent.[45]

In November 2013, Al Jazeera America hired Ray Suarez, formerly of PBS Newshour, to host Inside Story.

Former programming

[edit]

Produced by Al Jazeera America

[edit]
  • Ali Velshi on Target (formerly Real Money with Ali Velshi) – A show hosted by Ali Velshi from New York City that focuses on current affairs which provides context and analysis around current political and economic issues along with interviews.
  • Inside Story – Hosted by Ray Suarez from Washington D.C. Show provides analysis, background and context on the top stories of the day. Each episode features a panel of expert guests who examine and debate domestic and international topics ripped from the headlines. The Al Jazeera English version continues.
  • America Tonight – Al Jazeera America's flagship show, Hosted by Joie Chen from the Newseum in Washington D.C., a 30-minute-long news and current affairs magazine. Segments feature in-depth reports on subjects such as the economy, government, education, healthcare, and the environment, as well as breaking news featuring correspondents from across the country.
  • Your World This Morning – Hosted by Stephanie Sy, Del Walters, and Nicole Mitchell (Weather) from New York City, Morning block of national and international news.[46]
  • News – Domestic and international News from New York City, hosted by various anchors including Tony Harris, Antonio Mora and John Seigenthaler.
  • Talk To Al Jazeera – Interview program with prominent world figures by various anchors and journalists.
  • Fault Lines – Hosted by Josh Rushing, Zeina Awad, and Sebastian Walker, A show that takes viewers behind a particular story and reports on it in-depth using in-depth interviews and investigative reporting. The show continues on Al Jazeera English.
  • TechKnow – Hosted by Phil Torres and others from Los Angeles, a Fast-paced, 30-minute show that explores and exposes how the latest scientific discoveries are changing our lives. The show was taken over by Al Jazeera English after shutdown.
  • Compass With Sheila Macvicar – Hosted by Sheila MacVicar, program focuses on foreign policy issues.
  • Third Rail – Hosted by Ali Velshi (formerly Imran Garda), weekly current affairs program tackling controversial issues and probe perspectives with moderated debate, three-person panels and reports from Al Jazeera correspondents around the world.
  • Al Jazeera America Presents – Documentary and investigative series focused on a specific topic such as Borderland and The System.
  • Consider This – Weeknight current affairs talk show with Antonio Mora from New York City. Show featured interviews with prominent newsmakers, panel discussions that provide insight through varied perspectives and involvement of the show's audience using social media.
  • Power Politics – Hosted by David Shuster from New York City, a political analysis show featuring in-depth looks into issues topping the poles (produced during U.S. election seasons).
  • The Stream (American Version) – Hosted by Lisa Fletcher and Wajahat Ali from Washington, D.C., Current events discussion and debate show formatted to allow viewers to interact with the hosts and guests during the program via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ Hangouts and Skype. The Al Jazeera English version continues.

Produced/provided by Al Jazeera English

[edit]
  • News from Al Jazeera English:
    • World news live from Al Jazeera's Doha broadcast centre
    • World news live from Al Jazeera's London broadcast centre
    • Newshour — an hour of world news and sport hosted from both of Al Jazeera English's broadcast centres in Doha and London.
  • Listening Post – Hosted by Richard Gizbert from London, Current affairs program that critiques journalism and the media industry around the world.
  • 101 East — the weekly documentary series for issues of particular importance in Asia. Presenters or hosts have included Teymoor Nabili and Fauziah Ibrahim
  • People & Power — a biweekly program, originally hosted by Shereen El Feki.
  • Witness — the daily documentary-slot for films by the best of the world's independent film-makers. The strand aims to shine a light on the events and people long-forgotten by the global media and on those which never merited a mention in the first place.
  • The Frost Interview (previously Frost Over The World) was hosted by David Frost. Frost died in 2013, and show still aired posthumously with the family's consent.[citation needed]

Produced jointly

[edit]

Imported

[edit]

Also airing at various times were the Al Jazeera English programs Earthrise, Al Jazeera World and Al Jazeera Correspondent along with shows brought in from other channels in the UK and Australia.[47][48]

Notable staff

[edit]

Management

[edit]

On-air staff

[edit]

A complete list of hosts and correspondents is located in the box at the bottom.

Anchors and hosts

[edit]

Correspondents

[edit]
Al Jazeera Office, Kuala Lumpur

Awards

[edit]

In 2014, Al Jazeera America and producer Reed Lindsay won a Gracie Award in the "Outstanding Hard News Feature" category from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation for the story "Fists of Fury", which aired on America Tonight.[49] The award was the first award ever for the channel.

Al Jazeera America also won a Shorty Award for "Best News Twitter Account".[50]

The crew of "Made in Bangladesh" at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards

The Al Jazeera America show Fault Lines won two Peabody Awards in 2013 for the episodes "Haiti in a Time of Cholera"[51] and "Made in Bangladesh".[52]

The channel and Fault Lines also won a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for "Made in Bangladesh".[53]

On September 30, 2014, Fault Lines won a News & Documentary Emmy Award in the Investigative Journalism News-magazine category for "Haiti in a Time of Cholera".[54]

In early 2015, Al Jazeera America's digital team was recognized with an Award of Excellence for Photo Editing Portfolio in the Pictures of the Year International competition.[55]

In April 2015, Al Jazeera America won 16 National Headliner Awards including 7 first place wins in various categories including "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators environmental reporting" where It held all three top nomination spots with the Fault Lines episode "Water for Coal" winning overall, "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators investigative report" and "Best of TV" where the Fault Lines episode "Deadly Force" won, "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators documentary or series of reports" where the documentary "Killing the Messenger" won, "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators coverage of a major news event" where they also held the top three places with their coverage of "The Downing of MH14" winning, "Broadcast television networks, cable networks and syndicators newscast" where their coverage of the "Crisis in Yemen" and "ISIL on the Turkish Border" won and "online slideshow" for its digital team.[56]

Incidents

[edit]

While covering the Ferguson protests in 2014, officers from the Ferguson Police Department shot rubber bullets and tear gas at an AJAM news crew including correspondent Ash-har Quraishi, who after yelling, "We're the press" caused them to abandon their recording equipment and run to safety.[57] The incident was caught on camera by KSDK-TV, a local NBC affiliate who was filming from across the street. An officer was captured on video turning the reporters' video camera toward the ground and dismantling their equipment.[58] Other incidents, including the arrests of two print journalists for The Washington Post and The Huffington Post, also occurred during the same time period.[59]

Controversies

[edit]

On April 28, 2015, Matthew Luke, Al Jazeera America's former Supervisor of Media and Archive Management, filed a US$15 million lawsuit against his former employers over unfair dismissal. Luke alleged that he had been unfairly dismissed by the network after he had raised concerns with the human resource division that his boss, Osman Mahmud, the Senior Vice-President of Broadcast Operations and Technology, discriminated against female employees and made anti-Semitic remarks.[60] In response, Ehab Al Shihabi, the head of Al Jazeera America, has announced that the network will contest the lawsuit in court. Mahmud has also denied Luke's charges and has alleged that Luke was a difficult employee. In an unrelated development, two female Al Jazeera America employees—Diana Lee, the Executive Vice-President for Human Resources, and Dawn Bridges, the Executive Vice President for Communications, had resigned that week.[61][62][63]

On May 4, 2015, Marcy McGinnis, a senior Al Jazeera America's executive and former CBS news anchor, resigned from the company for undisclosed reasons amidst internal dissension with AJAM's management.[64] On May 5, 2015, Al Jazeera Media Network demoted Al Shihabi to Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Al Jazeera America. He was demoted from CEO after a report from The New York Times of an altercation between him and host Ali Velshi where he attempted to fire and sue the channel's top host.[65] He was replaced by Al Anstey, the former managing director of Al Jazeera English.[66] On June 11, 2015, Shannon High-Bassalik, AJAM's former senior vice president of programming and documentaries, filed a multi-million lawsuit against the channel; alleging a biased pro-Arab coverage and the mistreatment of employees. AJAM has responded that they would contest the lawsuit in court.[67]

On November 8, 2015, it was reported that Al Jazeera America's general counsel, David W. Harleston, did not have a license to practice law. Harleston had previously dealt with several lawsuits involving DirecTV and Al Gore, several wrongful termination cases by former employees, and the departure of the company's chief executive, Al Shihabi.[68]

Reactions to "The Dark Side: Secrets of the Sports Dopers" documentary

[edit]

On December 27, 2015, Al Jazeera English released a report, aired on Al Jazeera America, conducted by the Al Jazeera Investigative Unit via Al Jazeera Investigates called "The Dark Side: Secrets of the Sports Dopers", which investigated professional athletes' alleged use of Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), naming Peyton Manning and other prominent athletes as having received drugs from Charles Sly, a pharmacist who had worked at the Guyer Anti-Aging Clinic in Indianapolis during the fall of 2011.[69][70][71]

The Huffington Post leaked the reports a day before Al Jazeera's publication.[72] Then, Manning told ESPN's Lisa Salters about the reports, despite the fact that the documentary had not yet been aired, in an interview on the morning of the 27th for ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown calling them "completely fabricated" and "garbage". He also expressed his anger that his wife, Ashley, had been mentioned in the documentary. Salters pointed to other cases in which athletes initially deny, and then eventually admit allegations, but Manning replied that he could not speak for others. Nevertheless, Manning also stated he had visited the Guyer Institute 35 times during 2011 and that he had received both medication and treatment from Guyer during this time.[73]

Sly recanted his story and requested the report not to be aired via a YouTube video following the release of the report.[74][75] Sly later said he had never seen the Mannings and told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that he is not a pharmacist and was not at the Guyer Institute in 2011, as Al Jazeera claimed. However, state licensing records indicate that someone named "Charles David Sly" was licensed as a pharmacy intern in Indiana from April 2010 to May 2013 and that his license expired May 1, 2013.[76]

Manning decided to respond to the further allegations against him, and hired former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer to manage the issue.[77] He also threatened to sue Al Jazeera but then decided against doing so.[78]

On January 5, 2016, it was announced that Ryan Howard and Ryan Zimmerman had filed civil lawsuits suing Al Jazeera for defamation following the publication's release of the documentary which linked them.[79] In 2023, both lawsuits were dropped and dismissed with prejudice, with each of the parties bearing their own costs for the lawsuits.[80]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Farhi, Paul (January 13, 2016). "Al Jazeera America news channel to close up shop". Washington Post. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  2. ^ "Al Jazeera America to Shut Down". The Hollywood Reporter. January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  3. ^ "Manhattan Center Announces Al Jazeera America as Its Newest Television Studio Client". Yahoo!. August 20, 2013. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Pompeo, Joe (July 11, 2013). "Al Jazeera America: A Unicorn Is Born". New York. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  5. ^ Brown, Hagey (March 10, 2013). "Al Jazeera in Site Hunt". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  6. ^ Guthrie, Marisa (July 18, 2013). "Al Jazeera America: Can Oil Money Buy Relevance for the Controversial Network?". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  7. ^ Enda, Jodi; Guskin, Emily (May 28, 2013). "Al Jazeera America's biggest challenge: 'getting people to show up'". Pew Research Center. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  8. ^ Zeidler, Sue; Baker, Liana (January 3, 2013). "Al Jazeera buys Gore's Current TV, terms undisclosed". Reuters. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  9. ^ Riley, Charles (January 3, 2013). "Al Jazeera buys Current TV, will launch new channel". CNN. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  10. ^ "ABC News Veteran Kate O'Brian Named President of Al Jazeera America – TVNewser". Mediabistro.com. July 22, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  11. ^ Miner, Michael (February 20, 2013). "Al Jazeera America is hiring". Chicago Reader. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  12. ^ Weprin, Alex (July 3, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Launching August 20". TV Newser. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  13. ^ "Fact-Based, In-Depth News". Al Jazeera America. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  14. ^ Kaplan, Emily Al Jazeera, HGH and the NFL: Where Things Stand Sports Illustrated. January 29, 2016
  15. ^ Stetler, Brian and Tom Kludt The final days of Al Jazeera America CNN Money. January 27, 2016
  16. ^ "Al Jazeera America to close down". Al Jazeera America. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  17. ^ Kludt, Tom; Stelter, Brian (January 14, 2016). "Al Jazeera America to shut down in April". CNN Money. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  18. ^ "Al Jazeera America to expand digital operations in the US". Al Jazeera. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  19. ^ Koblin, John (January 13, 2016). "Al Jazeera America to Shut Down by April". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  20. ^ Mohen, Joe (February 11, 2016). "Al Jazeera America Shutdown Proves Flawed Strategy Always Undermines Great Execution". Broadcasting & Cable. New York: New Bay Media.
  21. ^ Karon, Tony (February 26, 2016). "Al Jazeera America says Goodbye". Big News Network. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  22. ^ Sullivan, Kevin; Pincus, Walter (November 23, 2005). "Paper Says Bush Talked of Bombing Arab TV Network". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  23. ^ Stelter, Brian; Kludt, Tom (January 22, 2016). "The final days of Al Jazeera America". CNNMoney. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  24. ^ Brian Stelter (May 26, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Shifts Focus to U.S. News". The New York Times.
  25. ^ Flint, Joe (June 11, 2013). "Al Jazeera America promises less political chat and celebrity news". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  26. ^ Malone, Michael (August 15, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Execs Preview New Network With 'Less Yelling, Fewer Celebrities'". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  27. ^ Weprin, Alex (June 11, 2013). "Al Jazeera America To Launch In August, With Fewer Commercials Than Competitors". Media Bistro. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  28. ^ Stelter, Brian (May 26, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Shifts Focus to U.S. News". The New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  29. ^ "Meet the Team – Senior Executive Producer for Business Programming John Meehan". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  30. ^ Weinger, Mackenzie (April 4, 2013). "Ali Velshi Joins Al Jazeera America". Politico. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  31. ^ Byers, Dylan (July 23, 2013). "Joie Chen to host Al Jazeera America's 'America Tonight'". Politico. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  32. ^ "Al Jazeera America will broadcast nightly primetime current affairs magazine". Al Jazeera America. Archived from the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  33. ^ "Al Jazeera America names Sheila MacVicar correspondent for America Tonight". Al Jazeera America. July 15, 2013. Archived from the original on July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  34. ^ Mirkinson, Jack (July 1, 2013). "Soledad O'Brien Becomes Al Jazeera America Correspondent". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  35. ^ "'The Stream' to Join Al Jazeera America's Daily Program Lineup". Al Jazeera America. June 19, 2013. Archived from the original on June 21, 2013.
  36. ^ Calderone, Michael (July 21, 2013). "David Shuster Joining Al Jazeera America: Source". The Huffington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  37. ^ "Andrea Stone and Tony Karon to Join Al Jazeera America". Al Jazeera America. Archived from the original on May 7, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  38. ^ "Antonio Mora joins Al Jazeera America as host of "Consider This"". Al Jazeera America. July 26, 2013. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  39. ^ "Al Jazeera America Announces Plans to Produce and Acquire Documentaries|Filmmakers,FilmIndustry,FilmFestivals, Awards & Movie Reviews". Indiewire. October 26, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  40. ^ Weprin, Alex (June 10, 2013). "Josh Bernstein Tapped As Investigative Reporter For Al Jazeera America". Media Bistro. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  41. ^ "Al Jazeera America names Trevor Aaronson to 16-member investigative unit". Al Jazeera America. July 24, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  42. ^ "Al Jazeera America Returns to Flint One Year After Revealing Water Crisis". adweek.com. January 22, 2016.
  43. ^ "ANALYSIS: How Michigan and National Reporters Covered the Flint Water Crisis". mediamatters.org. February 2016.
  44. ^ Molloy, Tim (July 11, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Names 4 Anchors". The Wrap. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  45. ^ Weprin, Alex (June 5, 2013). "NBC's Mike Viqueira Named White House Correspondent For Al Jazeera America". Media Bistro. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  46. ^ "Al Jazeera America to Expand Live Newscasts… – Inside Cable News". Inside Cable News. March 26, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  47. ^ Marechal, Al (August 14, 2013). "Al Jazeera America Announces Programming Schedule". Variety. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  48. ^ "Fact-Based, In-Depth News Fills Al Jazeera America's Programming". Al Jazeera America. August 14, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  49. ^ "Al Jazeera America Wins First Award | Inside Cable News". Insidecablenews.wordpress.com. February 19, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  50. ^ "Shorty Awards Winners Announced". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  51. ^ "Fault Lines: Haiti in a Time of Cholera". The Peabody Awards.
  52. ^ "Fault Lines: Made in Bangladesh". The Peabody Awards.
  53. ^ "Announcing the 2014 Robert F. Kennedy Book & Journalism Award Honorees | Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights | Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights". Rfkcenter.org. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  54. ^ "NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES ANNOUNCES WINNERS AT THE 35th ANNUAL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® AWARDS" (PDF). emmyonline.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 14, 2021.
  55. ^ "Award of Excellence – Editing Portfolio – Magazine". poyi.org. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  56. ^ "81st National Headliner Awards winners" (PDF). www.headlinerawards.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 20, 2015.
  57. ^ Taibi, Catherine (August 14, 2014). "Ferguson Police Use Tear Gas On Al Jazeera America Team". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  58. ^ Casey Nolen, KSDK (August 14, 2014). "TV crews hit by bean bags, tear gas". KSDK. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  59. ^ "Ferguson-related charges dropped against Washington Post and Huffington Post reporters". Washington Post. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  60. ^ Matthew Luke versus Al Jazeera America and Osman Mahmud (PDF) (Report). Deadline.com. NYSCEF Doc. No. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 21, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  61. ^ Brian Flood (April 28, 2015). "Fired Al Jazeera America Employee Seeks $15 Million in Lawsuit". TVNewser. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  62. ^ Brian Flood (April 29, 2015). "Former Al Jazeera America employee claims he was fired after complaining about sexism, anti-Semitism". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  63. ^ Kludt, Tom (April 30, 2015). "Al Jazeera America exec tells staff that he will fight lawsuit". CNN Money. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  64. ^ Steinberg, Brian (May 4, 2015). "Marcy McGinnis, Senior Al Jazeera America Executive, Leaves Network". Variety.com. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  65. ^ Hadas Gold (May 6, 2015). "Al Jazeera America appoints new CEO". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  66. ^ Bond, Shannon (May 8, 2015). "Al Jazeera America: Qatar's ambitions struggle on US screens". Financial Times. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  67. ^ "Al Jazeera America abandoned 'journalistic objectivity,' new suit claims". CNNMoney. June 11, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  68. ^ Runyeon, Frank; Koblin, John (November 8, 2016). "General Counsel for Al Jazeera America Appears to Be Unlicensed". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  69. ^ "The Dark Side: The secret world of sports doping". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  70. ^ "Documentary links Peyton Manning, other pro athletes to use of PEDs". ESPN.com. May 1, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  71. ^ "Al Jazeera reporter stresses that no allegation is being made against Peyton Manning | ProFootballTalk". Pro Football Talk. December 29, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  72. ^ "Explosive Documentary Links Peyton Manning, Major Athletes To Doping Ring". The Huffington Post. December 26, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  73. ^ "Transcript: Peyton Manning interviews with ESPN's Lisa Salters". Denverbroncos.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  74. ^ Sports. "Charlie Sly recants statements about Peyton Manning". Business Insider. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  75. ^ Cleary, Tom (December 27, 2015). "Charlie Sly: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  76. ^ "Documentary links Peyton Manning, other pro athletes to use of PEDs". WABC-TV. May 1, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  77. ^ "Report: Peyton Manning turns to Ari Fleischer in wake of HGH doc". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  78. ^ "Brennan: What's latest on NFL investigation into Peyton Manning HGH allegations?". USA Today.
  79. ^ "Ryan Zimmerman, Ryan Howard suing Al Jazeera after steroid story". Yahoo Sports.
  80. ^ Red, Christian (September 13, 2023). "Ryan Howard, Ryan Zimmerman Drop Lawsuits against Al Jazeera Over PED Documentary 'With Prejudice': The Backstory (Exclusive)". The Messenger. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
[edit]