The Newsroom

Al-Jazeera London Based Service

AJI Sign Sky Anchor p2+ (August 2005)

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JO
Jon
Al-Jazeera are in talks to sign Sir David Frost.
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1547087,00.html
Quote:
Al-Jazeera in talks to sign Frost

Tara Conlan
Thursday August 11, 2005


Frost: would help the station dispel the suspicions that some in the UK and the US have about al-Jazeera

Arabic satellite television news channel al-Jazeera is in talks to sign up veteran broadcaster Sir David Frost.
The broadcaster is keen to boost its profile as it gears up for the launch of its global channel, al-Jazeera International, next year.

Since announcing plans to open a London office and launch an English-language service, al-Jazeera has signed up a number of staff from the BBC, ITV and Sky to join the station.

It is believed that within the last year it also tried an approach to ITV star Sir Trevor McDonald, but failed.
CA
cat
I still can't see why they're doing it.

They're basically saying ''Western news organisations don't offer the sort of service we can provide, so let's sign up load of people from Western news organisations to make ourselves look better''.

Seems like the most expensive publicity stunt in history.

EDIT: Will be interesting, actually, should the channel get carriage on Sky Digital, just where in the EPG is appears. If it appears next to the regular al-Jazeera, it'll be a dead duck from the off.
JO
Jon
It will be in the News section probalby the reason as it is an English speaking sevice, and the other section isnt.
CA
cat
wells posted:
It will be in the News section probalby the reason as it is an English speaking sevice, and the other section isnt.


I wonder, wells, do you have any plans to offer an English-speaking service to TV Forum?
JO
Jonathan
Cat, are you actually interested in what this forum discusses or do you simply come here to antagonise people?
CW
cwathen Founding member
Quote:
EDIT: Will be interesting, actually, should the channel get carriage on Sky Digital, just where in the EPG is appears. If it appears next to the regular al-Jazeera, it'll be a dead duck from the off.

It will be interesting to see how it's packaged. The present Al-Jazeera service has been a premium subscription channel on Sky Digital for a good few years now. If their new English language version is carried on the same basis, I can't see it getting anywhere with your average Sky Digital punter.

One would however assume that, even if it did go on Astra 2 as an encrypted channel, that it would still go on other satellites in the clear.
AN
All New Johnnyboy
I'm pretty sure Al Jazeera (Arabic) is not a premium service anymore. Last time I checked 819 on the EPG it wasn't.
IS
Inspector Sands
cat posted:
I still can't see why they're doing it.

They're basically saying ''Western news organisations don't offer the sort of service we can provide, so let's sign up load of people from Western news organisations to make ourselves look better''.


Not quite, it seems to be more: 'We aren't credible in the west, but a well known name will change things'

It would be great for Al Jazzera if they could get him on board.
BB
BBC Scotland
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NG
noggin Founding member
Al-Jazeera are going big on this. They have commissioned a very expensive production operation, and are spending a lot of money on their studio set. (I suspect they are aiming to match the new Sky re-launch).

It will be interesting to see if it is close to CNN in the Sky EPG - I would be VERY surprised if it wasn't carried on Sky, unless they can't find capacity (which I doubt)

It will be interesting to see how "Western" it is. Given that a lot of the Al-Jazeera operation involves ex-BBC World Service TV Arabic employees it will be very interesting.
CA
cat
noggin posted:
Al-Jazeera are going big on this. They have commissioned a very expensive production operation, and are spending a lot of money on their studio set. (I suspect they are aiming to match the new Sky re-launch).


I'd be surprised if they'd spent £20 million like Sky have.
BA
Bacchic
cat posted:
noggin posted:
Al-Jazeera are going big on this. They have commissioned a very expensive production operation, and are spending a lot of money on their studio set. (I suspect they are aiming to match the new Sky re-launch).


I'd be surprised if they'd spent £20 million like Sky have.


I wouldn't be - the guys behind it have VERY deep pockets, after all.

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