Current TV to be sold to Al Jazeera?

[Amak8]

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/al-jazeera-said-to-be-acquiring-current-tv/?smid=tw-share

[loyalkydem]

1. So what does this mean for Stephanie and Bill and the gang

[AZ Progressive]

4. " But Current’s schedule of shows will most likely be dissolved in the spring."

From the same article.

[loyalkydem]

5. Missed that so i will no longer be watching that channel when they do that

[gateley]

8. Although we'll lose our Progressive lineup, I welcome Al Z -- they deliver REAL news without the

spin. On MSNBC, the shows repeat themselves -- Bengazi according to Andrea Mitchell, Bengazi according to Martin Bashir, Bengazi according to Rachel, etc -- same topic over and over, very little news. I think Al Z will be a welcome contributor. Just wish it wasn't at the expense of Current.

[loyalkydem]

10. I've herd some good things about them and I don't know if DISH my provider will get them

either way i will go back to listening to stephanie and bill online if and when their tv shows are gone

[gateley]

11. My local progressive radio just switched the format to sports (aaarrrrgh!) so I've lost

Stephanie, Bill, Thom, Norman Goldman, Ed, Randi and Mike Malloy! I'm bereft!

I'll be joining you online.

I forget which World Event was taking place, but THE font of information was AJE -- and the networks were referencing and sourcing AJE as well. I hope you'll get a chance to at least check it out.

[loyalkydem]

12. That is happening everywhere

Best thing to do is download iheartradio and look for KTLA for Randi, you can go directly to her sight and listen live at three which I totally forgot to do today because I had no internet access at the time --- grrrr

[jehop61]

2. Can't wait to see Faux News take on this

But, sadly, it will mean the end of morning tv alternatives to Joe Schmo. American audiences won't really support this.

[gateley]

9. I think those of us who are politically aware enough to watch Current will appreciate what Al Z

has to offer. IMO, natch.

[MADem]

3. They (CURRENT) have been looking for a buyer for some time.

AJ already has a cable presence, though...? Ah, here it is...

Rather than simply use Current to distribute its English-language channel, called Al Jazeera English and based in Doha, Qatar, Al Jazeera will create a new channel based in New York, according to people with knowledge of the deal negotiations. The channel may be called Al Jazeera America. Roughly 60 percent of the programming will be produced in the United States, while the remaining 40 percent will come from Al Jazeera English.

Al Jazeera may absorb some Current TV staff members, according to the people, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. But Current’s schedule of shows will most likely be dissolved in the spring.

The plan will bring Al Jazeera, which is financed by the government of Qatar, into closer competition with CNN and other news channels in the United States.

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. I guess Keith gets the last laugh. Who didn't see this coming? Current was supposed to compete....

with MSNBC, and they failed miserably. Randi just said the viewership of Current averages about 42,000. I don't know if that's true, but I only record Steph on Wedsnesday, when Hal is on. The marijuana wars, and the prison lockup shows just aren't very appealing to a wide audience. Besides that, all the hosts seem angry except Steph & Joy Behar.

I guess the moral of this story is you can go left ala MSNBC, or you can go far left, and take your chances?

[krawhitham]

7. deadline.com

http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/al-jazeera-to-acquire-current-tv-ny-times/

Current TV said in the fall that it was considering putting itself up for sale and now comes word that the cable channel founded by former Vice President Al Gore has found a buyer. Al Jazeera is finalizing a deal to acquire Current TV, The New York Times reports, bringing the pan-Arab news giant in closer competition with CNN and other U.S. news networks. The Times, citing people with knowledge of the deal negotiations, says Al Jazeera would create a new channel based in New York, rather that simply use Current to distribute its English-language channel, Al Jazeera English. There was no immediate word about the sale price. Current makes an attractive target because it’s available in about 60 million homes in the United States and 70 million worldwide, according to its website. In addition to Gore and company CEO Joel Hyatt, its owners include Comcast, Direct TV and venture capital firms.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/al-jazeera-to-acquire-current-tv-ny-times/

[Liberalynn]

13. Time Warner is dropping station ASAP

http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/al-jazeera-to-acquire-current-tv-ny-times/