Current TV, the small cable news channel that was co-founded by former vice president Al Gore, has been sold to Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based media company.
The acquisition gives Al Jazeera, which is funded by the Qatar government, the opportunity to establish a footprint in the United States, where it already has an English-language version of its Qatar service -- called Al Jazeera English -- but only limited reach.
As the article notes purchase is not equivalent to distribution. Cable programming companies must now negotiate contracts with the new owners if it is to reach the public.
One part of the story never discussed is what does the failure of Current say about the managerial abilities of Al Gore in a public market? Gore is one of those outstanding whiz bangs when it comes to expanding government programs and controls, but when he has to compete? Not so good. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/env...0,4488243.story
Time Warner Cable Drops Current TV Upon Sale To Al Jazeera
NEW YORK –- Time Warner Cable pulled the plug on Current TV just hours after news of the cable channel's sale to Al Jazeera became official.
"This channel is no longer available on Time Warner Cable," read an on-screen message where Current TV used to be found.
Al Jazeera took a major step into the U.S. cable market Wednesday by acquiring beleaguered Current TV and announcing plans for a U.S.-based news network to be called Al Jazeera America. But while the new channel will soon be available in 40 million households, Al Jazeera faced a setback when Time Warner Cable -- which reaches 12 million homes -- announced it was dropping the low-rated Current, which occupied a spot that could have been switched to Al Jazeera America.
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Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:45 pm
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