Current TV: Difference between revisions
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'''Current Media, LLC''', known simply as '''Current''', is a [[mass media|media]] company that broadcasts the channel '''Current TV'''. The company, initially named '''INdTV Holdings''', was founded in 2002 by former [[Vice President of the United States|U.S. Vice President]] [[Al Gore]] and businessman [[Joel Hyatt]].<ref name=bbw>{{cite web |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=40401079|title=Company Overview of Current Media, LLC|work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|accessdate=January 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/an-election-year-dawns-without-keith-olbermann/| work=The New York Times|first=Brian |last=Stelter|title=An Election Year Dawns Without Keith Olbermann|date=December 29, 2011}}</ref> Current TV went on the air in the U.S. at midnight [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] on the morning of August 1, 2005. |
'''Current Media, LLC''', known simply as '''Current''', is a [[mass media|media]] company that broadcasts the channel '''Current TV'''. The company, initially named '''INdTV Holdings''', was founded in 2002 by former [[Vice President of the United States|U.S. Vice President]] [[Al Gore]] and businessman [[Joel Hyatt]].<ref name=bbw>{{cite web |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=40401079|title=Company Overview of Current Media, LLC|work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|accessdate=January 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/an-election-year-dawns-without-keith-olbermann/| work=The New York Times|first=Brian |last=Stelter|title=An Election Year Dawns Without Keith Olbermann|date=December 29, 2011}}</ref> Current TV went on the air in the U.S. at midnight [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] on the morning of August 1, 2005. |
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Current Media is owned by the [[Qatar]]-based broadcaster [[Al Jazeera Media Network]], which announced its acquisition on January 2, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=AL-JAZEERA BUYS CURRENT TV FROM AL GORE|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/al-jazeera-talks-buy-current-tv|publisher=AP|accessdate=3 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stelter|first=Brian|title=Al Jazeera Seeks a U.S. Voice Where Gore Failed|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/al-jazeera-said-to-be-acquiring-current-tv/|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=January 2, 2013|accessdate=January 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name=usaann>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/01/02/al-jazeera-current-tv-al-gore/1805685/|title=Al-Jazeera buys Al Gore's Current TV|date=January 3, 2013 |work=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> Al Jazeera has stated that it plans on shutting down the Current TV channel, retaining its off-air staff and launching a new [[New York City|New York]]-based channel called [[Al Jazeera America]] using Current's distribution network.<ref>{{cite web|title=Al Jazeera buys US channel Current TV|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/01/2013132255769130.html|publisher=''[[Al Jazeera]]''|date=January 2, 2013|accessdate=January 2, 2013}}</ref> It also plans on scrapping the channel's programming lineup and brand.<ref name=forbesann/> Previously, Gore, Hyatt, and [[Ronald Burkle]] each held a sizable stake in Current, and [[Comcast]] and [[DirecTV]] each held a smaller stake.<ref name=usaann/><ref name=forbesann/> Al Jazeera America plans to launch and replace Current on August 20, 2013.<ref name="replace">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/al-jazeera-america-launch_n_3541573.html|title=Al Jazeera America To Launch August 20|work=Huffington Post|date=July 3, 2013|accessdate=July 5, 2013}}</ref> |
Current Media is owned by the [[Qatar]]-based broadcaster [[Al Jazeera Media Network]], which announced its acquisition on January 2, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=AL-JAZEERA BUYS CURRENT TV FROM AL GORE|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/al-jazeera-talks-buy-current-tv|publisher=AP|accessdate=3 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stelter|first=Brian|title=Al Jazeera Seeks a U.S. Voice Where Gore Failed|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/al-jazeera-said-to-be-acquiring-current-tv/|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=January 2, 2013|accessdate=January 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name=usaann>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/01/02/al-jazeera-current-tv-al-gore/1805685/|title=Al-Jazeera buys Al Gore's Current TV|date=January 3, 2013 |work=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> Al Jazeera has stated that it plans on shutting down the Current TV channel, retaining its off-air staff and launching a new [[New York City|New York]]-based channel called [[Al Jazeera America]] using Current's distribution network.<ref>{{cite web|title=Al Jazeera buys US channel Current TV|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/01/2013132255769130.html|publisher=''[[Al Jazeera]]''|date=January 2, 2013|accessdate=January 2, 2013}}</ref> It also plans on scrapping the channel's programming lineup and brand.<ref name=forbesann/> Previously, Gore, Hyatt, and [[Ronald Burkle]] each held a sizable stake in Current, and [[Comcast]] and [[DirecTV]] each held a smaller stake.<ref name=usaann/><ref name=forbesann/> Al Jazeera America plans to launch and replace Current on August 20, 2013.<ref name="replace">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/al-jazeera-america-launch_n_3541573.html|title=Al Jazeera America To Launch August 20|work=Huffington Post|date=July 3, 2013|accessdate=July 5, 2013}}</ref> [[Bill Press]] said on his radio show that August, 15th 2013 will be the last day of Current TV programing. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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In addition to ending the Current TV channel, Al Jazeera plans on scrapping the channel's programming lineup, as well as its brand.<ref name=forbesann/> On January 2, Cenk Uygur, host of the weekday ''[[The Young Turks|Young Turks with Cenk Uygur]]'', stated that the Current TV show would continue for at least three months and he is open to staying with the new network.<ref name=uygurclar>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJcyDmZHu0 |title= TYT is Independent, Not Owned by Current or Al Jazeera |author= |date=January 2, 2013 |work=The Young Turks |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> That same day, [[Jennifer Granholm]], host of ''[[The War Room with Jennifer Granholm]]'', announced that she would leave the channel as a result of the acquisition,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130104/NEWS15/301040098/Former-Michigan-Gov-Jennifer-Granholm-leave-her-show-Current-TV |title=Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to leave her show on Current TV |author=Paul Egan |date=January 4, 2013 |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> as did [[Gavin Newsom]], host of ''[[The Gavin Newsom Show]]'', who was reported to have planned on leaving the network earlier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/01/california-lt-gov-gavin-newsoms-cable-tv-show-going-off-air.html |title=California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom's cable TV show going off air |author=David Siders |date=January 2, 2013 |work=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> On Sunday, January 6, [[Eliot Spitzer]] announced that he had left the network and his weekday show ''[[Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer]]''.<ref name=nytend>{{cite web |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/eliot-spitzer-end-his-show-on-current-tv/ |title=Eliot Spitzer Ends His Show on Current TV |author=Brian Stelter |date=January 6, 2013 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> |
In addition to ending the Current TV channel, Al Jazeera plans on scrapping the channel's programming lineup, as well as its brand.<ref name=forbesann/> On January 2, Cenk Uygur, host of the weekday ''[[The Young Turks|Young Turks with Cenk Uygur]]'', stated that the Current TV show would continue for at least three months and he is open to staying with the new network.<ref name=uygurclar>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJcyDmZHu0 |title= TYT is Independent, Not Owned by Current or Al Jazeera |author= |date=January 2, 2013 |work=The Young Turks |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> That same day, [[Jennifer Granholm]], host of ''[[The War Room with Jennifer Granholm]]'', announced that she would leave the channel as a result of the acquisition,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130104/NEWS15/301040098/Former-Michigan-Gov-Jennifer-Granholm-leave-her-show-Current-TV |title=Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to leave her show on Current TV |author=Paul Egan |date=January 4, 2013 |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> as did [[Gavin Newsom]], host of ''[[The Gavin Newsom Show]]'', who was reported to have planned on leaving the network earlier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/01/california-lt-gov-gavin-newsoms-cable-tv-show-going-off-air.html |title=California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom's cable TV show going off air |author=David Siders |date=January 2, 2013 |work=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> On Sunday, January 6, [[Eliot Spitzer]] announced that he had left the network and his weekday show ''[[Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer]]''.<ref name=nytend>{{cite web |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/eliot-spitzer-end-his-show-on-current-tv/ |title=Eliot Spitzer Ends His Show on Current TV |author=Brian Stelter |date=January 6, 2013 |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> |
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It was announced in an article in Politico that Bill Press doesn't expect to continue his show with Al Jazeera once the change officially takes place. Press also doesn't expect Stephanie Miller to continue her show on Al Jazeera, but Cenk Uygur wants to continue with Al Jazeera if given the chance. Press said he would look for TV coverage to replace Current but expected having trouble finding a replacement.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weinger|first=Mackenzie|title=Bill Press on the future of Current TV hosts|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/bill-press-on-the-future-of-current-tv-86201.html|publisher=Politico|accessdate=23 January 2013}}</ref> In a 22 January article in Politico, Al Jazeera spokesman Stan Collender said the network's launch would be pushed back to within six months, and would create "multiple hundreds of new jobs" and new bureaus around the country. They announced the hiring of 105 total jobs for the new network, with 98 in New York and seven in Washington D.C.<ref>{{cite web|last=Byers|first=Dylan|title=Al Jazeera America is hiring|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/01/al-jazeera-america-is-hiring-154919.html|publisher=Politico|date=January 22, 2013|accessdate=January 23, 2013}}</ref> On July 3, 2013 [[Ali Velshi]] announced on his Twitter account that the network would replace Current on August 20, 2013.<ref name="replace"/> |
It was announced in an article in Politico that Bill Press doesn't expect to continue his show with Al Jazeera once the change officially takes place. Press also doesn't expect Stephanie Miller to continue her show on Al Jazeera, but Cenk Uygur wants to continue with Al Jazeera if given the chance. Press said he would look for TV coverage to replace Current but expected having trouble finding a replacement.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weinger|first=Mackenzie|title=Bill Press on the future of Current TV hosts|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/bill-press-on-the-future-of-current-tv-86201.html|publisher=Politico|accessdate=23 January 2013}}</ref> In a 22 January article in Politico, Al Jazeera spokesman Stan Collender said the network's launch would be pushed back to within six months, and would create "multiple hundreds of new jobs" and new bureaus around the country. They announced the hiring of 105 total jobs for the new network, with 98 in New York and seven in Washington D.C.<ref>{{cite web|last=Byers|first=Dylan|title=Al Jazeera America is hiring|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/01/al-jazeera-america-is-hiring-154919.html|publisher=Politico|date=January 22, 2013|accessdate=January 23, 2013}}</ref> On July 3, 2013 [[Ali Velshi]] announced on his Twitter account that the network would replace Current on August 20, 2013.<ref name="replace"/> [[Bill Press]] said on his radio show that August 15th will be the last day of Current TV programing. |
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==Programming== |
==Programming== |
Revision as of 16:10, 1 August 2013
Hauptsitz | San Francisco, Kalifornien |
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Ownership | |
Owner | Al Jazeera Media Network |
Current Media, LLC, known simply as Current, is a media company that broadcasts the channel Current TV. The company, initially named INdTV Holdings, was founded in 2002 by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt.[1][2] Current TV went on the air in the U.S. at midnight EDT on the morning of August 1, 2005.
Current Media is owned by the Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera Media Network, which announced its acquisition on January 2, 2013.[3][4][5] Al Jazeera has stated that it plans on shutting down the Current TV channel, retaining its off-air staff and launching a new New York-based channel called Al Jazeera America using Current's distribution network.[6] It also plans on scrapping the channel's programming lineup and brand.[7] Previously, Gore, Hyatt, and Ronald Burkle each held a sizable stake in Current, and Comcast and DirecTV each held a smaller stake.[5][7] Al Jazeera America plans to launch and replace Current on August 20, 2013.[8] Bill Press said on his radio show that August, 15th 2013 will be the last day of Current TV programing.
History
2002-2006: Launch
After the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Gore and Hyatt wanted to start a conventional cable news network. The plan evolved into making a viewer-generated channel aimed at an audience demographic age 18–34.
On May 4, 2004, INdTV Holdings, a company co-founded by Gore and Joel Hyatt in 2002,[1] purchased Canada-based cable news channel NewsWorld International (NWI) from Vivendi Universal for the express purpose of launching their new network with the space on some digital cable lineups (and DirecTV) that NWI had. The new network would not have political leanings, Gore said, but would serve as an "independent voice" for a target audience of people between 18 and 34 "who want to learn about the world in a voice they recognize and a view they recognize as their own." Other reports said that Gore hoped that the channel would help change the tide of "consolidation and conglomeratization" of the media by leading the change to "democratization." The news network was said to be a combination between CNN, MTV, and blipverts. In the summer of 2004, Gore and Hyatt announced their new network, named INdTV, with a series of public recruitment events. The first of these events was held at the Bambuddha Lounge in San Francisco's Tenderloin, on August 25.
On April 4, 2005, the former vice president and business partner Hyatt announced that they had changed the name of the network from INdTV to Current. The new television network launched in the United States on August 1, 2005.
2006–2008: Expansion and Yahoo! partnership
On September 20, 2006, Current TV started a short-lived partnership with Yahoo! to supply topic-specific "channels" to the Yahoo Video website. Called the Yahoo! Current Network, the first four channels, "Current Buzz," "Current Traveler" "Current Action" (about action sports) and "Current Driver" quickly became the most popular videos on the Yahoo Video web site. There were Yahoo branded segments on Current TV, similar to the Google Current segments. Additional web channels were planned. However, on December 6, 2006, Yahoo and Current TV announced the end of their relationship.[9] Madeline Smithberg, co-creator of The Daily Show, was the Executive Producer for this project.
On October 6, 2006, a deal was announced with BSkyB to create a localized UK and Ireland version of Current TV for its Sky satellite service.[10] This version went live on March 12, 2007 on Sky channel 229 (later moving to 183) and Virgin Media channel 155.[11] In 2007, Current TV started video-on-demand service on Virgin Media. Current TV was also added to the Freewire IPTV network on channel 178. The channel closed on March 11, 2012 following BSkyB's withdrawal of support and a failed rescue attempt from Current TV.[12][13]
On January 31, 2007, Current TV launched on Dish Network.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/CurrentNew.jpg/220px-CurrentNew.jpg)
On September 16, 2007, Current TV won an Emmy award for Best Interactive Television Service at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards. This was the first year in which this Emmy was presented during the primetime broadcast. The award was presented by Masi Oka of Heroes fame and MySpace founder Tom Anderson (through their own computers), and Al Gore and Joel Hyatt accepted the award on their behalf.[14]
On February 8, 2008, it was announced that the network would also available on the Italian Sky Italia satellite digital platform on channel 130. According to the official website, broadcasts started on May 8, 2008.[15] On June 6, 2008, it was announced that the network would also available on the Italian 3 DVB-H mobile operator, free of charge.[16] The channel closed on July 31, 2011 following failed distribution renegotiations with Sky Italia.[17]
Current TV partnered with Twitter for the 2008 Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates, allowing viewers watching the Current TV version of the debates to post live on Twitter and have their opinions shown on screen, live.
2009–2010: Financial troubles and IPO plans
On January 28, 2009, Current Media Inc. announced that it intended to launch an initial public offering on the NASDAQ to raise $100 million USD. However, it announced in early April that it was scrapping the plan due to "current market conditions" and that no securities had been sold and all activity regarding the proposed IPO had been discontinued.[18]
In June 2009, Current TV received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to establish a Canadian version of the channel, which would be a joint venture of Current TV and the CBC, with the CBC taking 80 percent ownership. The channel would be required to feature at least 35% Canadian content. The new service was planned to begin in fall 2009, pending approval by the Treasury Board,[19] but those plans were put on hold later that year.[20]
In July 2009, Current TV made a series of changes due to financial reasons and the failed IPO. CEO Joel Hyatt resigned to a new vice president position and was replaced by Mark Rosenthal, the former COO and president of MTV Networks, with a plan to reform Current TV to more traditional programing. Lisa Derrick of The Huffington Post predicted that Current TV would undergo a transformation similar to MTV's transformation, during Mark Rosenthal 1990s tenure at MTV, from MTV's multi-minute music video format to longer 30 minute/1 hour reality television programing. Ultimately its assorted pod format was discontinued in lieu of traditional 30 minute block programing. Some elements of the pod format survive inside the themed 30 minute programing. In July 2009, 80 in house staff were laid off, about 25% of Current's staff, and plans were announced to air licensed TV series and films and other content that is not produced by Current in-house or by the VC2 system. Andrew Wallenstein of The Hollywood Reporter predicts Current will make its targeted demographic a decade older from early 20s to early 30s, and add more less-serious entertainment programing to its then mostly news and reality/documentary format.[21][22]
In late 2009, after the announcement of the Comcast-NBC merger, Comcast Corporation submitted a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission that revealed it owned a ten percent stake of Current Media LLC.[23] Current received three Emmy nominations in the news and documentary category in 2009.
In mid 2010, Current's Vanguard journalism program's piece, Oxycontin Express received a Peabody Award, a first for both Mariana van Zeller the journalist behind the story and Current. Current has also received a Headliner award.[24] Around this time, a report by Reuters on the network's ongoing problems suggested that it could have blossomed into something akin to YouTube's video-sharing platform, MSNBC's role as a left-leaning news outlet, or even the Oprah Winfrey Network. "In retrospect," the report concluded, "what's distinctive about Current's troubles was that Gore's vision had so much potential. It's uncanny how close he was to capitalizing on several key trends that transformed the media world, only to watch others do so."[22]
2009: North Korea incident
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/40px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png)
On March 17, 2009, North Korean military detained two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, working for Current TV, after they allegedly crossed into North Korea from China.[25] On March 30, North Korean state media reported that preparations were under way for indictments and a trial, saying, "The illegal entry of US reporters into the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] and their suspected hostile acts have been confirmed by evidence and their statements."[26] The two faced trial on June 4.[27] On June 8, Reuters reported that the two reporters were found guilty of illegal entry and committing "hostile acts against the DPRK" and subsequently sentenced to twelve years of hard labor.[28] On August 4, BBC News reported that Lee and Ling were pardoned amidst a visit by former U.S. president Bill Clinton to North Korea.[29]
2011 major format changes
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Current_TV.svg/150px-Current_TV.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2a/Current.png)
Beginning early in 2011, Current TV started implementing major changes in programming and personnel, beginning with the hiring of Keith Olbermann. To signify these changes, Current unveiled new imaging and a new logo in May 2011, designed by branding firm Wolff Olins.
On February 8, 2011, Keith Olbermann announced that he had been hired to host a new primetime show on Current TV and was named Chief News Officer with an equity stake in the network. In April 2011, Olbermann announced that his nightly program would retain the same title from his time at MSNBC. On June 20, 2011, Countdown with Keith Olbermann relaunched on Current TV. The program aired Mondays through Fridays at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and was based out of New York City. Olbermann stated on The Colbert Report that Current TV was planning to make a nightly news segment consisting of his show and others that will launch later on Current TV.
In August 2011, Current announced that it had hired former CNN Bureau Chief and SVP of Programming David Bohrman as the networks new president. Bohrman later announced that after filling out its prime-time lineup, Current would also gradually begin shifting towards "a full daytime, morning schedule of news, information, analysis, conversation, context – all based on the events of the day" from an independent, progressive perspective.
On September 15, 2011, Current also announced that it had hired Shelley Lewis, former CNN and PBS executive producer, as executive vice president of programming.
On September 20, 2011, the network announced that Cenk Uygur of the internet-based TYT Network would be launching a TV edition of the internet news program The Young Turks in the fourth quarter of 2011. The program is broadcasted from Los Angeles and airs weekdays at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The program premiered on December 5, 2011.
On September 21, 2011, network president David Bohrman named Jason Odell as executive vice president of technology. Odell has an extensive career at both CNN and NBC, most recently known for inventing and implementing CNN's "holographic" technology during election coverage.
On October 12, 2011, the network announced that it had hired former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm to host her own weekday prime-time program The War Room with Jennifer Granholm. The program launched on January 30, 2012 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. It's now called The War Room with Michael Shure.
2012 major format changes
On March 5, 2012, Current announced an upcoming weekday morning block of programming with TV-friendly simulcasts of The Stephanie Miller Show (under the name Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show) and The Bill Press Show (under the name Full Court Press: The Bill Press Show).[30] This was interpreted by Mediaite's Political Editor and White House Correspondent Tommy Christopher as an attempt to compete against MSNBC's Morning Joe (which airs from 6AM to 9 AM).[31]
On March 30, 2012, Current announced that Keith Olbermann had been fired and would no longer host a show on their network. A statement released by network founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt explained the network's "values are no longer reflected" in Current's relationship with Olbermann, and that former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer would begin hosting Viewpoint effective immediately in the time slot previously occupied by Olbermann.[32]
On April 18, 2012, Current announced that California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom will host a show titled The Gavin Newsom Show while concurrently serving as lieutenant governor.[33]
In June 2012, it was formally announced[34] that Joy Behar would be getting another talk show, Joy Behar: Say Anything!,[35] premiering September 4, 2012[35] on the Current TV network. Its content was expected to be in line with her previous HLN series The Joy Behar Show.[36] Before the new show's launch, Behar began acting as fill-in host for Eliot Spitzer's Current TV talk show, Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer, starting on July 18, 2012.[37]
2013: Acquisition by Al Jazeera
On January 2, 2013, Al Jazeera Media Network announced that it had purchased Current Media, LLC and would be closing down the Current TV channel while launching a new American news channel titled Al Jazeera America using its distribution network.[38][39] Prior to the sale, it was believed that Al Gore and Joel Hyatt each owned approximately twenty percent of Current Media, business magnate Ronald Burkle owned about twenty-five percent, and Comcast and DirecTV each owned more than five percent. The terms of the deal were undisclosed.[40] According to Forbes and The New York Times, the purchase was about $500 million USD.[7][41][42] The purchase by Al Jazeera occurred after an attempt by TheBlaze to purchase the media company was rejected in 2012.[43][44]
Immediately after the announcement, Time Warner Cable, which broadcasts Current TV to nine million American homes, announced that it would be dropping the channel,[7] but stated that it would consider airing Al Jazeera America.[45] It was previously reported in April 2012 that Time Warner had been considering dropping the channel due to ratings.[40] Al Jazeera America is still expected to replace Current TV on Comcast, Dish Network, Verizon, DirecTV and AT&T.[42]
Defending his decision, Current TV chairman Al Gore wrote: "I am incredibly proud of what Current has been able to accomplish. But broadcast media is a business, and being an independent content producer in a time of increasing consolidation is a challenge."[41] In a news release, Al Jazeera Director General Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani said, "By acquiring Current TV, Al Jazeera will significantly expand our existing distribution footprint in the U.S., as well as increase our newsgathering and reporting efforts in America [...] We look forward to working together with our new cable and satellite partners to serve our new audiences across the U.S."[39] The Al Jazeera network also expects to increase its U.S. based staff to a total of more than 300 employees and retain most of Current's staff.[39]
In addition to ending the Current TV channel, Al Jazeera plans on scrapping the channel's programming lineup, as well as its brand.[7] On January 2, Cenk Uygur, host of the weekday Young Turks with Cenk Uygur, stated that the Current TV show would continue for at least three months and he is open to staying with the new network.[46] That same day, Jennifer Granholm, host of The War Room with Jennifer Granholm, announced that she would leave the channel as a result of the acquisition,[47] as did Gavin Newsom, host of The Gavin Newsom Show, who was reported to have planned on leaving the network earlier.[48] On Sunday, January 6, Eliot Spitzer announced that he had left the network and his weekday show Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer.[49] It was announced in an article in Politico that Bill Press doesn't expect to continue his show with Al Jazeera once the change officially takes place. Press also doesn't expect Stephanie Miller to continue her show on Al Jazeera, but Cenk Uygur wants to continue with Al Jazeera if given the chance. Press said he would look for TV coverage to replace Current but expected having trouble finding a replacement.[50] In a 22 January article in Politico, Al Jazeera spokesman Stan Collender said the network's launch would be pushed back to within six months, and would create "multiple hundreds of new jobs" and new bureaus around the country. They announced the hiring of 105 total jobs for the new network, with 98 in New York and seven in Washington D.C.[51] On July 3, 2013 Ali Velshi announced on his Twitter account that the network would replace Current on August 20, 2013.[8] Bill Press said on his radio show that August 15th will be the last day of Current TV programing.
Programmierung
Show time (ET) | Program | Host | Standort | Description |
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6a-9a | Full Court Press with Bill Press | Bill Press | Washington, D.C. | Live simulcast of The Bill Press Show (political commentary) |
9am-12pm | Talking Liberally | Stephanie Miller | Los Angeles | Live simulcast of The Stephanie Miller Show (political satire) |
6pm-7pm | The War Room with Michael Shure | Michael Shure | San Francisco | Politics-based analysis and commentary program. Hosted by Jennifer Granholm until February 7, 2013. |
7pm-8pm | The Young Turks with Cenk Uygur | Cenk Uygur | Los Angeles | TV edition of the popular internet news program. |
8pm-9pm | Viewpoint | John Fugelsang | New York City | Nightly news and commentary program. Hosted by Eliot Spitzer until January 6, 2013. |
9pm-10pm | Joy Behar: Say Anything! | Joy Behar | New York City | Nightly general talk/interview program |
Other programs
- Vanguard is Current's in-house journalism department, consisting of a team of young producers and correspondents who specialize in enterprising reporting on global issues.
Prior programming
- Countdown with Keith Olbermann was Current's first live nightly news and commentary program, which ended abruptly with Olbermann's firing on March 30, 2012.
- InfoMania was a weekly satirical news-show hosted by Brett Erlich.
- SuperNews!
- Politically Direct 2012 was Current TV's live special program covering aspects of the 2012 presidential election, such as debate analysis. It featured Current hosts, contributors, and special guests.
- 50 Documentaries to See Before You Die is a five-part series hosted by Morgan Spurlock.[52]
- The Gavin Newsom Show
Hosts
- Adam Yamaguchi – Vanguard Correspondent
- Amaya Brecher
- Ana Kasparian Co-host and producer of The Young Turks
- Anthony Marshall[53]
- Angela Sun
- Anne Foy
- Ben Hoffman - Now with Comedy Central
- Brett Erlich – infoMania, Campaign Update, Viral Video Film School, Co-host of the Rotten Tomatoes Show, The War Room with Michael Shure
- Bryan Safi[54]
- Cenk Uygur – host of The Young Turks
- Christof Putzel – Vanguard Correspondent continuing with Al Jazeera America[55]
- Conor Knighton – InfoMania
- Douglas Caballero[56]
- Elizabeth Chambers
- Eliot Spitzer[57]
- Ellen Fox – Co-host of the Rotten Tomatoes Show
- Gavin Newsom – Was host of The Gavin Newsom Show
- Gotham Chopra
- Graeme Smith - Now with Real Radio
- Jael de Pardo
- Jason Silva (of "Max and Jason")
- Jennifer Granholm – Was host of The War Room
- Joe Hanson – Joe Gets, What's Wrong With; no longer a part of Current TV
- Julia Hardy
- Kaj Larsen – Vanguard Correspondent
- Keith Olbermann – Countdown With Keith Olbermann (formerly)
- Kinga Philipps
- Jared Leto
- John Fugelsang
- Laura Ling – Vanguard Correspondent; formerly imprisoned by North Korea now with E! network
- Mariana van Zeller – Vanguard Correspondent now with National Geographic
- Max Lugavere (of "Max and Jason")
- Michelle Lombardo
- Milo McCabe
- Nick Carter – a.k.a. Murs
- Nzinga Blake
- Rowly Dennis
- Sarah Haskins
- Sergio Cilli[58]
- Shauntay Hinton
- Zara Martin[59]
References
- ^ a b "Company Overview of Current Media, LLC". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ Stelter, Brian (December 29, 2011). "An Election Year Dawns Without Keith Olbermann". The New York Times.
- ^ "AL-JAZEERA BUYS CURRENT TV FROM AL GORE". AP. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ^ Stelter, Brian (January 2, 2013). "Al Jazeera Seeks a U.S. Voice Where Gore Failed". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ a b "Al-Jazeera buys Al Gore's Current TV". Associated Press. January 3, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Al Jazeera buys US channel Current TV". Al Jazeera. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ a b c d e Jeff Bercovici (January 2, 2013). "Current TV Sold To Al Jazeera; Possible $400 Million Deal For Al Gore and Co. [UPDATED]". Forbes. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ a b "Al Jazeera America To Launch August 20". Huffington Post. July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
- ^ Shields, Mike (December 5, 2006). "Yahoo and Current TV Cut Ties". MediaWeek.com
- ^ "CURRENT TO LAUNCH TV CHANNEL ON SKY DIGITAL IN UK AND IRELAND" (PDF). Current TV. 2006-10-06. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
- ^ "Gore's Current TV Launches In UK, Eyes Further Roll-outs". paidContent. 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
- ^ "Statement: Current UK due to close in March". Current TV. 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
- ^ "Current staff seek work as rescue fails". C21Media. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ "Al Gore joins Emmy parade". Variety.com. September 13, 2007.
- ^ "Scopri di più su Current TV" Template:It icon
- ^ "3 Italia: gratis Rai, Mediaset e Current" Template:It icon La Stampa. April 6, 2008.
- ^ "Current TV chief claims Murdoch's Sky Italia broke commitment". The Guardian. 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
- ^ Maisie McCabe (14 April 2009). "Al Gore's Current Media abandons plans for NYSE listing". MediaWeek. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ Staff writers (11 June 2009). "Current TV Receives CRTC Approval". Broadcaster. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- ^ Staff writers (December 22, 2009). "Current TV's plans to enter Canada on hold". CBC News. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ Lisa Derrick (November 12, 2009). "Al Gore's Current TV Lays Off 80 Staff, Changes Direction". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ a b Andrew Wallenstein (June 25, 2010). "New troubles at Al Gore's Current TV". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ "How Cable Programming Is 'Chosen' – The Implications for Comcast-NBC". StopBigMedia.com, 2010-01-11. Retrieved on 2010-11-08.
- ^ "2008 National Headliner Award Winners". National Headliner Awards. Monday, 04 May 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Laura Ling, Euna Lee Detained In North Korea. Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-08.
- ^ US reporters face N Korea trial. bbc.co.uk; BBC, March 31, 2009.
- ^ "N Korea to try reporters in June". BBC News. 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ Herskovitz, Jon (June 8, 2009). "North Korea sentences U.S. journalists to 12 years". reuters.com. Reuters.
- ^ "North Korea pardons US reporters". BBC News. August 4, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ^ David Lieberman (March 5, 2012 @ 8:32am EST). "Current TV To Enter AM News Competition With Radio's Bill Press And Stephanie Miller". Deadline New York.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Tommy Christopher (8:13 am, March 5, 2012). "Current TV Announces Morning Block With Bill Press And Stephanie Miller". Mediaite.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ David Lieberman (March 30, 2012 @ 5:14pm EST). "Keith Olbermann Out At Current Relationship No Longer Reflected Values Network Says". Deadline Hollywood.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Stelter, Brian (April 18, 2012). "Current TV to Hire Gavin Newsom, California's Lieutenant Governor". New York Times.
- ^ "Joy Behar To Host Show On Al Gore's Current TV". The Inquisitr. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
- ^ a b 'Joy Behar: Say Anything' to premiere Sept. 4.
- ^ "Joy Behar Joins Current TV". The Hollywood Reporteraccessdate=28 July 2012.
- ^ "Al Gore announces new Joy Behar show". USA Today. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
- ^ Charles Riley (3 January 2013). "Al Jazeera buys Current TV, will launch new channel". CNNMoney. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ^ a b c "AL JAZEERA TO START NEW U.S.-BASED NEWS CHANNEL". Al Jazeera. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ^ a b Sue Zeidler and Liana B. Baker (3 January 2013). "Al Jazeera buys Gore's Current TV, terms undisclosed". Reuters. Retrieved 3 January 2013. Cite error: The named reference "reutersann" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b Brian Stelter (January 3, 2013). "Gore Went to Bat for Al Jazeera, and Himself". The New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ a b Rory O'Connor (January 4, 2013). "Welcome to America, Al Jazeera". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ Adam Clark Estes (2 January 2013). "Glenn Beck Tried to Buy Current TV But Was Rejected". The Atlantic Wire. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ "Glenn Beck Tried to Purchase Current TV". Huffington Post. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ^ Michael Calderone (January 3, 2013). "Time Warner Cable Will Consider Carrying Al Jazeera's U.S. Network". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
- ^ "TYT is Independent, Not Owned by Current or Al Jazeera". The Young Turks. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ Paul Egan (January 4, 2013). "Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to leave her show on Current TV". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ David Siders (January 2, 2013). "California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom's cable TV show going off air". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ Brian Stelter (January 6, 2013). "Eliot Spitzer Ends His Show on Current TV". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ Weinger, Mackenzie. "Bill Press on the future of Current TV hosts". Politico. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ^ Byers, Dylan (January 22, 2013). "Al Jazeera America is hiring". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
- ^ "Current TV Launches Original Series "50 Documentaries to See Before You Die" Premiering on Monday, August 1". FutonCritic.com. May 24, 2011. (press release)
- ^ "Checking the Microphone and Amplifying the Positive: A Conversation with Hip Hop Connoisseur and Lyricist Lounge Co-Founder, Anthony Marshall". The Nobantu Project. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ^ "Is "InfoMania"'s Bryan Safi the Gayest Man in the World? Quite Possibly". The Backlot. June, 2010. Retrieved June, 2013.
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and|date=
(help) - ^ http://america.aljazeera.com/update/al-jazeera-america-will-broadcast-nightly-primetime-current-affairs-magazine
- ^ "Douglas Caballero portfolio". douglascaballero.com. Retrieved June, 2013.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Stelter, Brian (March 30, 2012). "Current TV Dismisses Keith Olbermann". The New York Times.
- ^ "InfoMania cast". IMDb. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
- ^ "Zara Martin bio". JP Talent. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
External links
- Current TV official site
- Video on YouTube
- Current TV on X
- Current TV on Facebook
- Template:MySpace
- Current TV collected news and commentary at The New York Times
- Artikel
- 'Betting a Network on Youths Who Think' – New York Times article, August 22, 2005
- Current TV at one year – Associated Press, July 27, 2006
- 'The Other Man Behind Current TV' – Broadcasting and Cable. About CEO Joel Hyatt, November 19, 2006
- 'All Eyes on The Shins' – Wired Magazine, January 2007
- Current TV makes its move -Gore promotes new network to overseas markets. Variety, March 12, 2007
- Current TV's V-CAMs (Viewer Created Ad Messages) – Adweek[dead link]
- Current TV Tops 50 MM Subs – Multichannel News, March 12, 2007
- Al Gore's Low Voltage Network, November 12, 2007
- Interview with Robin Sloan, New Media Director at Current, Intruders tv Video, April 2009
- Television channels and stations established in 2005
- Al Gore
- Al Jazeera
- Current TV
- Media companies of the United States
- American cable network groups
- American television networks
- Television channels in Italy
- Community-created content television
- Internet television channels
- Video on demand services
- English-language television stations
- Italian-language television stations
- Companies based in San Francisco, California
- Television channels and stations disestablished in 2013
- 2013 disestablishments in the United States