278 replies to this topic

[MelbourneTV]

I'd say there is more chance of this channel being carried on Foxtel than Channel News Asia!
I;d rather CNA got aired though

[Mike]

I'd say there is more chance of this channel being carried on Foxtel than Channel News Asia!
I;d rather CNA got aired though

Why? I really don't see a need for either. Especially a channel which has as much possibility of being a propeganda source as FOX News. I know they say they operate independently but I am very suss with this. Foxtel seems to have a full lineup of News channels anyways. Even selectv does too.

[MelbourneTV]

Well I dont think we need either atm - but if they were to add another channel, a different voice would be welcome.
We've got 2 British channels (BskyB via Active) and BBCW, 4 US ones - CNN, FAUX, Bloomberg and CNBC.

And yeh, CNA's government owned, but that shouldnt matter too much. ABC is govt owned, and they're independently operated.

[Mike]

Well I dont think we need either atm - but if they were to add another channel, a different voice would be welcome.
We've got 2 British channels (BskyB via Active) and BBCW, 4 US ones - CNN, FAUX, Bloomberg and CNBC.

And yeh, CNA's government owned, but that shouldnt matter too much. ABC is govt owned, and they're independently operated.

The Business channels are dumped next to the doco channels. I reckon they may dump one eventually. I could see them bringing CNN Headline News on. I highly doubt they would bring a asian channel for some reason. CNN Headline is on Neighbourhood Cable and I think selctv so they should be able to easily get that.

[Mr Q]

Well I dont think we need either atm - but if they were to add another channel, a different voice would be welcome.
We've got 2 British channels (BskyB via Active) and BBCW, 4 US ones - CNN, FAUX, Bloomberg and CNBC.

I disagree with your assertion about 4 US channels... CNN International isn't an "American" channel - most of the programming we see during the day here in Australia is from either Hong Kong or London. Bloomberg and CNBC are both international channels as well - they follow the markets, so during the day we see Asia, then into the afternoon, Europe, and then in the evening and overnight, the US. At any rate, Bloomberg and CNBC aren't straight news channels - they cater to a different audience to, say, Sky News or CNN.

If it takes off, I do hope we will see AJI on Foxtel in the not too distant future. I think it'll present an interesting perspective on the news. Clearly the Middle East plays an important part in the news these days, and so I think having a news service based out of the Middle East could definitely be an advantage. But AJI does have a lot of hurdles to overcome, and unless they do something quite spectacular, I don't see it becoming a major force in global news.

The Business channels are dumped next to the doco channels. I reckon they may dump one eventually.

Well, it would be unfortunate, but if one of them were to go, I could see it being CNBC. That having been said, according to a press release I read earlier this week, CNBC is going to be boosting their international operations - apparently a new "CNBC Africa" operation is being launched.

[NewsWorld]

And yeh, CNA's government owned, but that shouldnt matter too much. ABC is govt owned, and they're independently operated.

There's a big differnce

[IntlMedia]

If it takes off, I do hope we will see AJI on Foxtel in the not too distant future. I think it'll present an interesting perspective on the news. Clearly the Middle East plays an important part in the news these days, and so I think having a news service based out of the Middle East could definitely be an advantage. But AJI does have a lot of hurdles to overcome, and unless they do something quite spectacular, I don't see it becoming a major force in global news.

Interesting views Mr Q. As someone affiliated with AJI, I hope I can sway you!!

Yes we have a lot of hurdles. And the fact that we've been delayed by almost a year now is a very good reason for people to doubt us as a force, and for potential cable carriers to get cold feet about broadcasting us.

But I promise you... we are for real and we can ONLY be a force on the world stage.

ON-AIR LOOK: Well I know a lot of mediaspyers are interested in the 'look' of a network, so let me tell you that you won't be disappointed. The studio in Doha is enormous... spectacularly so. Think Sky News UK, but better... and with the biggest video wall you've ever seen! The Doha studio, and all the broadcast centres in KL, London and Washington, are fully HD (1080i) and the picture quality is superb. The on-air idents and promos are different to anything on CNN or BBC... sometimes really simple, but very effective

Would love to post some pics, but I'd get sacked if I did!!

STAFF: On-air, I think we're very well equipped. Stephen Cole (BBC), Veronica Pedrosa (CNN), Dave Marash (ABC Nightline), Felicity Barr, Shiulie Ghosh, Lauren Taylor (ITN).... they're some of the bigger names. Also Riz Khan and Sir David Frost.... obviously no mugs either!! On a local note, Dan Nolan (ex TEN Sydney) is the Australian correspondent based in Sydney.

NEWS: Mr Q makes a very good point about us being based in the Middle East, Lets face it - the big global news these days is coming from the Middle East... so a network based there is at a huge advantage. Plus we can draw on the resources of Al Jazeera Arabic - which, whether you like it or not, produces a hell of a lot of exclusives from this part of the world. We were all very annoyed at not being on-air during the Lebanon conflict... Al Jazeera Arabic's coverage was superb and ours would have been pretty good too I reckon.

I'd also watch for our coverage from Africa. We have a lot of bureaux there, and with places like Somalia and Sudan becoming bigger news stories, we're in the right place. Also we're the only international channel with a bureau in Zimbabwe... and we all know there's some interesting stuff going on there

Yes I sound like a PR machine, but I DO believe in this channel. It's different from CNN and BBC and we're seeing that already in our rehearsals. Just the way we do the news... the angles, the regional perspectives. Yes CNN broadcasts from three different cities, but I honestly don't think you see that much of a difference between the places. Sure you have World News Asia and World News Europe, but I think that's largely superficial. When we broadcast from our different centres, those centres assume control of the channel, and the output will reflect that. It won't turn into regional TV, but it will have a regional perspective. And if a big breaking story is happening in another region, we'll go there as and when it's necessary.

So there you go... the full spin from inside AJI! I'm very sad to hear it won't be broadcast in Australia. I guess it's not terribly surprising (Murdoch et al) though BSkyB will be carrying it in the UK, and that's also Murdoch-owned. Go figure.

Anyways, even though you won't be able to get AJI on Foxtel, you'll be able to watch it streaming on the internet!

[drnilescrane]

One thing I have noticed is AJI is treating the news industry like it's personal candy store - they have just poached Darren Jordan from the BBC and If I remember correctly David Lowe is doing the music!

Edited by drnilescrane, 06 October 2006 - 12:54 AM.

[IntlMedia]

One thing I have noticed is AJI is treating the news industry like it's personal candy store - they have just poached Darren Jordan from the BBC and If I remember correctly David Lowe is doing the music!

Personal candy store?

Putting aside that I work for AJI, that's got to be one of the most ridiculous things I've heard on this forum!

drnilescrane, I don't mean to be rude... but it's called recruiting. Company comes along... offers potential employee a chance to work for a new TV station (and I daresay for more money)... and potential employee accepts new offer. Simple

[K]

AJI, according to a post by Liski (UBI rep.) on Austech.info, is going to go on UBI World TV next month.

Note that he says it's not exclusive. See http://www.austech.i...ad.php?t=141229

[IntlMedia]

AJI, according to a post by Liski (UBI rep.) on Austech.info, is going to go on UBI World TV next month.

Note that he says it's not exclusive. See http://www.austech.i...ad.php?t=141229

Wow, news travels fast!

Liski's post is not entirely correct - November 1 is not the launch date, but the 10th anniversary of the Al Jazeera Arabic Channel.

That said, launch of AJI is certainly imminent.

[K]

Wow, news travels fast!

It sure does.

Liski's post is not entirely correct - November 1 is not the launch date, but the 10th anniversary of the Al Jazeera Arabic Channel.

Didn't think Liski would be right about that date. It seemed a bit early (seeing as no firm announcement has been made)

That said, launch of AJI is certainly imminent.

Cool. Shame there is no word of it going on Selectv at this point in time (not that I think they would get it seeing as they have two news channels already).

[IntlMedia]

Didn't think Liski would be right about that date. It seemed a bit early (seeing as no firm announcement has been made)

Quite right, but I'd say it would only be a couple of weeks away at the most (the announcement, that is).

[IntlMedia]

Only a few weeks to go now...

The english Al Jazeera website will be relaunched to coincide with the launch of the channel, but in the meantime some presenter and correspondent profiles are up on the current site"

http://english.aljaz...25357862427.htm

[IntlMedia]

Your first look at the Al Jazeera International studio in Doha...

TIME magazine
November 6, International and Middle East edition

Attached Files

•  TIMENov6.jpg   303K   142 downloads

[Norman]

Will this be on Foxtel or FTA in Australia?

[IntlMedia]

Will this be on Foxtel or FTA in Australia?

Nope. I think if you look back in this thread you'll see a discussion about it.

FYI launch date has been announced...


AL JAZEERA INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE


Doha, Tuesday 31st October 2006

The Al Jazeera Network today announced that it will launch Al Jazeera International, the new English-language news and current affairs channel on Wednesday 15th November 2006, with the inaugural broadcast starting from its Doha headquarters at 12 GMT.

As the world’s first international English-language news and current affairs channel headquartered in the Middle East, Al Jazeera International is uniquely positioned to reverse the information flow from South to North and to provide a voice to under-reported regions around the world. With broadcast centres strategically placed in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington DC, and supporting bureaux worldwide, Al Jazeera International is a new force in the global English speaking media with the ability to seek out and cover different perspectives of news through on-the-ground reporting wherever news is made.

On 15th November Al Jazeera International will provide a fresh approach to news and current affairs to a worldwide audience with a combination of 12 hours of live news plus interview programmes and in-depth features and analysis from the world’s hot spots over a 24 hour day. Please click on the link below for a behind-the-scenes look at Al Jazeera International:
http://www.beam.tv/b....php?jcgHfCnkhm

Wadah Khanfar, Director General of the Al Jazeera Network said: “We are extremely proud of what Al Jazeera has achieved over the past ten years. Al Jazeera today is an international media organisation. Al Jazeera International will build on the pioneering spirit of Al Jazeera and will carry our media model, based in the South, to the entire world. The launching of the English Channel offers the chance to reach out to a new audience that is used to hearing the name of "Al Jazeera" without being able to watch it or to understand its language. The new channel will provide the same ground-breaking news and impartial and balanced journalism to the English speaking world.”

“It has been a fantastic endeavour to build this TV channel over the last two years with the support of the Al Jazeera network. Everyone involved in the project deserves credit,” said Nigel Parsons, Managing Director, Al Jazeera International, “We will extend the Al Jazeera spirit into the English-speaking world.”

Al Jazeera International is part of the Al Jazeera Network and the sister channel to Al Jazeera. The announcement of the channel’s forthcoming launch on November 15th coincides with the 10-year anniversary of Al Jazeera Arabic language channel.

Al Jazeera’s English language website, aljazeera.net/english is being re-launched with the launch of the English language channel to reflect the channel’s look and feel and editorial content. It will showcase Al Jazeera International’s agenda setting editorial mission and will provide constantly updated coverage of news events from around the world, along with in-depth analysis and background. It will provide RSS feeds, live streams and downloadable clips from the channel, as well as interactive discussions and polling. Programme and presenter information as well as weather reports, live business data and sport will also be available via the website.

[Woz]

Just had a look at that video and it looks rather impressive. Kind of looks like a cross between the new BBC set and BSkyB's newsroom. The video wall looks rather odd to be honest, I don't think it's quite tall enough.

Still, looks like quite a watchable set, can't wait for the launch.

[IntlMedia]

Just had a look at that video and it looks rather impressive. Kind of looks like a cross between the new BBC set and BSkyB's newsroom. The video wall looks rather odd to be honest, I don't think it's quite tall enough.

Still, looks like quite a watchable set, can't wait for the launch.

The videowall is deceptively tall woz. When you're standing next to it - depending on where it's being shot from - you can actually look like a midget next to it! Certainly it's bigger, in length, than any other video wall in the world.

For more pics, go to this address... plenty of other angles there:

http://www.time.com/...says/aljazeera/

[Norman]

Looks very nice... I really want a satellite dish now