http://www.tvpredictions.com/echoarab110206.htm
The news network says one satellite provider has agreed to carry the new channel.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (November 2, 2006) -- Al-Jazeera, the controversial Arabic news network, will launch an English-speaking High-Definition TV channel on November 15.
The company will also unveil a non-HD version of the channel on that day. An Al-Jazeera spokeswoman tells The Associated Press that at least one cable company and one satellite TV operator have agreed to carry the new channel.
She did not specify whether the two TV providers would carry both the HD and non-HD versions, nor did she name the providers. The spokeswoman said the names would be revealed closer to the November 15 launch date.
However, EchoStar's Dish Network, the nation's second leading satcaster, now offers the Arabic-speaking Al-Jazeera. (DIRECTV does not.) In addition, EchoStar now has 30 national high-def channels, more than any other TV provider.
Asked yesterday if Dish would carry the English-speaking Al-Jazeera, an EchoStar spokeswoman said: "We don't have an announcement planned at this time."
Al-Jazeera has aired interviews with Osama Bin-Laden.
Comcast yesterday denied that it would add Al-Jazeera to its lineup.
If a major U.S. TV operator decides to carry the English-speaking Al-Jazeera, it's guaranteed to generate some controversy.
Al-Jazeera, which is broadcast through the Arab world, has been often criticized by U.S. leaders for allegedly siding with the terrorists. The network has broadcast numerous exclusive interviews with Al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama Bin Laden.
However, Al-Jazeera officials say they are simply reporting both sides of the conflict. Yesterday, they told the AP that they hope that U.S. officials will see the English-speaking network as a conduit to the Arab world.
“We have an edge over the other networks: We’re already based in the Middle East. And we have a different perspective,” director Wadah Khanfar said.
The English-speaking Al-Jazeera will be a 24-hour network available to at least 40 million households worldwide.
The news network says one satellite provider has agreed to carry the new channel.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (November 2, 2006) -- Al-Jazeera, the controversial Arabic news network, will launch an English-speaking High-Definition TV channel on November 15.
The company will also unveil a non-HD version of the channel on that day. An Al-Jazeera spokeswoman tells The Associated Press that at least one cable company and one satellite TV operator have agreed to carry the new channel.
She did not specify whether the two TV providers would carry both the HD and non-HD versions, nor did she name the providers. The spokeswoman said the names would be revealed closer to the November 15 launch date.
However, EchoStar's Dish Network, the nation's second leading satcaster, now offers the Arabic-speaking Al-Jazeera. (DIRECTV does not.) In addition, EchoStar now has 30 national high-def channels, more than any other TV provider.
Asked yesterday if Dish would carry the English-speaking Al-Jazeera, an EchoStar spokeswoman said: "We don't have an announcement planned at this time."
Al-Jazeera has aired interviews with Osama Bin-Laden.
Comcast yesterday denied that it would add Al-Jazeera to its lineup.
If a major U.S. TV operator decides to carry the English-speaking Al-Jazeera, it's guaranteed to generate some controversy.
Al-Jazeera, which is broadcast through the Arab world, has been often criticized by U.S. leaders for allegedly siding with the terrorists. The network has broadcast numerous exclusive interviews with Al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama Bin Laden.
However, Al-Jazeera officials say they are simply reporting both sides of the conflict. Yesterday, they told the AP that they hope that U.S. officials will see the English-speaking network as a conduit to the Arab world.
“We have an edge over the other networks: We’re already based in the Middle East. And we have a different perspective,” director Wadah Khanfar said.
The English-speaking Al-Jazeera will be a 24-hour network available to at least 40 million households worldwide.
