Al Jazeera Satellite Channel has just finished preparations to launch a new look and a new cycle of programmes to coincide with its Al Jazeera Day celebrations on November 1st, the day on which the Network will also celebrate Al Jazeera Arabics thirteenth anniversary as well the sixth anniversary of the launch of Al Jazeera Sport Channel and the third anniversary of Al Jazeera English and Al Jazeera Documentary channels.
This Sunday nights edition of Al Hasad (Harvest of the Day), Al Jazeera Arabics main news programme, will have a new look and color scheme and new theme music. The changes include a newly redesigned studio incorporating a video wall and other state of the art technologies.
In addition, the management has also introduced important changes to its content based on findings from a recent opinion poll conducted by Nielsen, a leading international research company that specializes in viewer conduct and TV ratings. The sample survey included 27,000 viewers from 14 Arab countries.
Commenting on the New Look and new cycle of programmes at the Al Jazeera Channel, Wadah Khanfar, Director General of the Network stated, The changes are aimed at making the channels programmes more dynamic and more interactive to attract new audiences, especially the youth. He further added, The new programmes will provide much more indepth analysis and the new changes to the channels studios and on-screen graphics will reflect Al Jazeeras commitment to deliver to our audiences the best in broadcasting while maintaining Al Jazeeras authentic style which they have become accustomed to over the years.
Along with the new look there are a number of additional changes introduced to news programmes as well. The main news programmes, Midday and Harvest of the Day, will adopt more in-depth analyses and a faster rhythm with the new style aimed at giving the channels reporters and correspondents in the field a greater role in coverage and a closer engagement with its audiences through social and human interest stories. The channel will continue broadcasting its Maghribi North African bulletin daily at midnight Makkah time. In addition, a new weekly sports bulletin will be shown at 2:30 Friday afternoons.
One of the most important changes in programmes will include the channels talk shows. The new programming grid will see the introduction of two new talk shows. The first called Fi Alumq, Arabic for In-Depth, will host intellectuals, analysts, and strategists to discuss issues from different angles in news and current affairs presenting in-depth analyses of major issues pertaining to the region and the world. The programme will be aired at 10 pm every Monday night and will be introduced by Al Jazeeras well-known anchor Ali Al Dafiri. Another newcomer to the grid Al Milaf or The File will deal with political and social issues that are of key interest to the Arab world and the world in general. The programme will have packages and discussions that go beyond the surface and look at the essence of issues rather than focusing on overt controversies. The File will be aired at 10pm on Friday nights and will be introduced by Sami Kluaib.
Al Jazeeras viewers will also have a chance to enjoy more football related coverage through a weekly programme called Dunia Al Kura, or The World of Football. This programme will cover the different football events in a non-traditional style prepared by a team of sporting specialists. It will be hosted by Muhammed Saadoun Al Kuwwari at 8pm Monday nights.
Minbar Al Jazeera (Al Jazeeras Platform), the programme which gives a voice to the voiceless will also see several changes to its look with a more interactive format allowing the audience to have a greater ability to express their views by engaging through social media such as Twitter and Facebook. (Source: Al Jazeera press release)