A new TV station, Al-Jazeera in English, is set to finally begin broadcasting today. It was originally due to launch in 2005 and the service will initially provide just twelve hours coverage each day but is expected to switch to 24/7 hour service in the new year.
Employing over 800 people from 55 countries it promises to bring a different perspective to international events. It's main studios are in Doha, but it also has a presence in Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington DC, and twenty other countries.
It's satelite transmission is expected to reach 80 million homes around the world, double its initial target. However, there will be no coverage in the United States apart from via the internet.
Al-Jazeera has been a thorn in the side of the US administration, pulling few punches with it's editorial policy. Some are questioning whether the new channel in English will be as outspoken as its sister station and adopt a similar editorial stance. There are predictions that it will revolutionise English language television in the same way it revolutionised Arab language television 10 years ago but its success in the Middle East was breaking the monopoly held by government controlled broadcasters. The new station will be competing with well established rivals including the BBC and CNN.
Judge for yourself by watching the stream on
http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage
It's satelite transmission is expected to reach 80 million homes around the world, double its initial target. However, there will be no coverage in the United States apart from via the internet.
Al-Jazeera has been a thorn in the side of the US administration, pulling few punches with it's editorial policy. Some are questioning whether the new channel in English will be as outspoken as its sister station and adopt a similar editorial stance. There are predictions that it will revolutionise English language television in the same way it revolutionised Arab language television 10 years ago but its success in the Middle East was breaking the monopoly held by government controlled broadcasters. The new station will be competing with well established rivals including the BBC and CNN.
Judge for yourself by watching the stream on
http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage
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