Al Jazeera English Scores D.C. Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The 24-hour global news and current-affairs channel Al Jazeera English (AJE) has increased its U.S. exposure, joining the lineup of educational broadcaster MHz Networks, covering the D.C. area.

Starting today, D.C. metro-area viewers will be able to watch an evening newscast anchored from AJE’s Washington, D.C., news bureau on MHz Networks primary local channel, known as MHz Networks 1/MHz Worldview D.C. Beginning July 1, AJE will be broadcast 24/7 as MHz Networks 5, joining nine other international networks that MHz broadcasts in the D.C. area. There are plans for the 30-minute AJE newscast to be carried nationally at a later date.

MHz Networks broadcasts ten international television networks in the D.C. area: NHK World TV (Japan), France 24, RT (formerly Russia Today), South African Broadcast Corporation News International (SABC), euronews, Vietnam Television (VTV 4), Metro Chinese Network (MCN) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). In addition to featuring individual newscasts from these international channels, MHz Worldview compiles news from a variety of other countries, including India (ANI), Israel (IBA), Germany (Deutsche Welle) and Taiwan (Mac TV).

“It was important for us to broaden the range of world news that we bring to Washington, D.C.,” said Frederick Thomas, the chief executive of MHz Networks. “AJE also fits perfectly inside of our mission and I think viewers are going to find it a reliable and top-quality source for news.”

“We are extremely pleased to be launching on MHz and joining their impressive lineup of channels,” added Phil Lawrie, the director of global distribution for Al Jazeera. “For over two years, Al Jazeera English has been setting new standards in international reporting by providing a platform for the under-represented corners of the world. We know there is a great demand in the United States for AJE’s groundbreaking news and current-affairs programming. Our website receives 22 million visits every month with over 50 percent coming from America, and our branded YouTube page is by far the most popular news site on YouTube. We applaud MHz for being among the first U.S. providers to air the channel.”

The English-language news channel is available in more than 140 million households worldwide in more than 100 countries.