Current TV has been bought by Al Jazeera as the Arabic network looks to expand across America.
Al Jazeera Media Network acquired the cable channel yesterday in a multi-million dollar deal. Current TV will cease broadcasting and be replaced with Al Jazeera America, a new US news channel which is due to be on air this year.
Al Jazeera English has struggled to get carriage in the US and it is hoped that the acquisition will help the Doha based company get a foot in to millions of homes through Current TVs current carriage on television providers.
“By acquiring Current TV, Al Jazeera will significantly expand our existing distribution footprint in the US, as well as increase our news-gathering and reporting efforts in America.” – Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, director general of Al Jazeera
However following the news Time Warner Cable announced it was terminating its carriage deal with Current TV.
Current TV was set up by former US vice president Al Gore. A British version was launched in 2007 but ended broadcasting in 2012.
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