Al-Jazeera Set for U.S. Debut

August 22nd, 2006 11:35 AM

Al-Jazeera says it has finally found U.S. cable and satellite providers who are willing to carry its new English-language channel, Al-Jazeera International. In November, it says, the news network can be found in American homes.

Reports the New York Post:

The much-delayed launch of the English-language version of the controversial Al-Jazeera network is targeting its launch date on these shores in November.

The date, pushed back from its latest September start date, will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the network.

Ahead of the launch, Al-Jazeera International - which has already signed up famed British broadcaster David Frost -has secured carriage agreements with cable, satellite, telecom and broadband video providers, according to spokesman Michael Holtzman.

"We've gotten carriage across the board," Holtzman said. "We just can't identify with whom at this stage because they are at different stages."

Holtzman said the debut will be available in more than just a smattering of American homes.

"There are major players at the table," Holtzman said. "This won't be a tiny toehold; we will have significant access."

AJI previously stated that it hopes to launch with distribution in at least 40 million homes worldwide.

This could be a potential boycott opportunity, for any cable or satellite provider who runs the channel that may very well have worse pro-Arab propaganda than CNN.