Al Jazeera Network launched its Documentary Channel at 1200 GMT on 1 January from its headquarters in Doha, Qatar. This major new launch comes just six weeks after the successful launch of Al Jazeera English.
The new 24-hour channel, which broadcasts in Arabic, aims to become a leader in its field championing the promotion of documentary culture in the Arab world and beyond. From its unique position, Al Jazeera Documentary Channel will pay particular attention to the Middle East with a special focus on the cultural diversity of its societies. The channel will focus on human stories and issues aiming to transcend the immediacy of news coverage. The channels informative and educational approach will be driven by the broader human horizon focusing on issues that are usually marginalised and ignored. As the first service of its kind in the region, Al Jazeera Documentary will broadcast programmes on different aspects of human activity including social, political, cultural, scientific, historical, and environmental.
The channel will sponsor talent and work in partnership with the documentary industry and filmmakers across the world to develop programmes.