This is what doomed Al Jazeera America

[Blue_Tires]

The announcement that the Al Jazeera Media Network was shutting down Al Jazeera America caught many off-guard, but it could not have been a complete surprise. Its struggles were well-publicized. Its ratings were horrifically low. Critics inside and out protested it was boring, tepid, old school, too objective, not objective enough, or way too Americanized to be interesting. Reports of low morale in the newsroom abound. It was also embroiled in numerous lawsuits, including damaging accusations of workplace bias and gender discrimination, and more recently, defaming professional athletes.

What really doomed Al Jazeera America from the beginning was its decision to offer straight, sober journalism via legacy cable and satellite TV carriers, distribution platforms on which such a product is fast becoming extinct. Al Jazeera America was also quasi-commercial at best, but the gatekeeping companies it had to appease are highly commercial.

Al Jazeera America had the unenviable task of marrying Al Jazeera’s self-described mission of subversive journalism that challenges power with being digestible enough to American TV viewers to attract a respectable number on a nightly basis. It would have to be domesticated, yet it was an outwardly foreign brand — one many Americans still unfairly associated with Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, even after the channel’s Arab spring coverage was widely hailed.

These were impossible balances, but Al Jazeera America consistently expressed faith in the existence of a large unmet demand for straight news without opinion and sensationalism. That way it could be critical, consistent with its Al Jazeera identity and at the same time relevant to American news consumers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/01/14/this-is-what-doomed-al-jazeera-america/


Too many liberals on DU and elsewhere who maybe watched a total of 10 minutes of AJA are getting all misty-eyed about seeing it go, and making all these imaginary after-the-fact excuses for its demise (The all-knowing Glenn Greenwald who also watched AJA for a grand total of 10 fucking minutes just to see himself on air is inexplicably blaming the oil prices)...

I'm not immune -- I thought Current TV was the greatest idea ever when it was announced, I celebrated when Olbermann got a job there, and I was pissed off to hear about the channel's demise -- But the more upset I became, and the more excuses and cop-outs I invented to explain Current's failure to myself, I took a moment to think -- Yes I was a fan of Current, I supported Current, I told all my liberal friends with DirecTV about Current, but if I'm honest with myself, how much did I really *WATCH* Current?? You can guess the answer...

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Neither Current nor Al Jazeera was ever on my cable network...

and maybe they would have had a few viewers if they were.

[Blue_Tires]

2. And for those who may have missed this:

Qatar's Al Jazeera America says replaces CEO amidst staff shakeup

Al Jazeera Media Network said on Wednesday it had replaced the chief executive of its US network, Ehab Alshihabi, in a move that follows reports of several staff departures and a lawsuit claiming wrongful employment.

Al Jazeera said in a statement that it had named Al Anstey, managing director of Al Jazeera English, as chief executive to replace Alshihabi. It said the appointment was with immediate effect.

Alshihabi did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
"I'm delighted to be leading Al Jazeera America into the next stage of its development," Anstey said in the statement. "The United States is a remarkable country, with amazing people across the nation who are looking for in-depth, trusted, and inspiring stories."

"Having started my career with CBS News, and lived in the US later in my career, I'm very pleased to be returning to the US to continue to uphold the highest standards of organizational excellence at the channel, with an absolute commitment to the very best in journalism and story telling," Anstey said.

The US network was launched two years ago.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/qatar-s-al-jazeera-america-says-replaces-ceo-amidst-staff-shakeup-591869.html#.VphdjBUrKUk

[Cleita]

3. What I think, and who cares I know, but I liked Al Jazeera.

Not to detract from your post but to add to it, this is my opinion. I thought they had some outstanding well researched and unbiased documentaries.

But it was not a first tier cable channel like CNN or Fox which limited the viewership, a problem Current TV encountered. My family said they were boring, but they have only known infotainment type news so that is understandable.

There is the fact it was financed with ME oil money and since the price of oil has gone down, it seems the emirate is tightening its belt.

As much as we need decent news media in this country, it's shameful we have to go to foreign sources to get it. So maybe this could be an opportunity for a new homegrown media to arise.

[global1]

4. A Lot Of People Have Never Given Them A Chance....

because of their name 'Al Jazeera'.
I think if they somehow Americanized their name they would be the most watched cable news station.

[Blue_Tires]

16. FWIW, AJ was pretty nutty when they first started

They were like NewsMax or whatever for the Arab world, and sadly that's all some people want to remember about them...

Just being able to reinvent themselves into a professional, legit, respected news organization was a miracle in itself...

[Ford_Prefect]

5. I will miss them. They were often better and more accurate than BBC or any MSM station.

They covered material that formerly was unavailable on any news broadcasts in the US including Pacifica and Rachel Maddow.
I hope it will continue online, but who knows.
Too many possible players involved to know if the reasons publicized are the cause.
Link is a poor substitute. RT is often an obvious tool.
BBC America is rife with half-truths and propaganda.
I won't discuss MSNBC and the rest of the yellow press.

Has anyone seen the latest broadcast from Trisha McMillan?

[Blue_Tires]

12. There are other options out there

France 24, DW, CBC, etc...

And as much as folks think it's cool to hate on the BBC, they never would have gone forward with that Peyton Manning trainwreck...

[Ford_Prefect]

13. Right about the Manning thing. That was overcooked hype.

Much of the other stuff they covered no one else does in the English language market in the US.

BBC America is too often filtered for the audience here. There is much they don't cover and some they read from the US State Dept briefing sheets. It may be fashionable to slag them now, but I've always felt that way. It's hard not to see them do it when you have better or unfiltered sources. BBC have their points of quality as well, no mistake. You have to know where they bend to tell the difference sometimes.

[shadowmayor]

6. Watch it more than the others by far

For the most part, it is a superior news station albeit in a very weak category - American news.

[msongs]

7. well there's stil RT lol nt

[hunter]

8. A web page with videos you can click on if you like...

... is far superior to broadcast, cable, or satellite news "channels."

Higher speed internet makes traditional television news obsolete.

Once you quit television you never go back.

[Ford_Prefect]

9. Only if you have the higher speed net and reliable connection.

[elleng]

11. Oh right,

because who wants to read and watch at the same time?!

DUH!

[elleng]

10. 'What really doomed Al Jazeera America from the beginning was its decision to offer straight,

sober journalism,'
thumbsdown:

[HoosierRadical]

14. I hope this means, we will regain access to Al Jazeera English

Al Jazeera America, was too timid, it tried too hard not to offend American sensibilities.

[Blue_Tires]

15. Oh?

When was there a time where AJA was going to say something but didn't in the name of not offending "American sensibilities"? Because that sure as hell hasn't stopped RT...

[HoosierRadical]

17. There is a clear difference between AJA and AJA English

I can't wait to access AJA English once again, so that I can have critical news coverage of US foreign policy.

[Blue_Tires]

19. Which can be found anywhere...

But suit yourself...

[Fast Walker 52]

18. they did a truly shitty job of marketing

I never saw stories from them talked about, anywhere.

[yurbud]

20. I don't have a cable subscription--it's infinitely faster to read news and watch a clips

of highly visual stories.