Al Jazeera Channel Launches a ‘New Look’ and New Programmes on its 13th Anniversary

30 October 2009

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 Arabic’s 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 night’s edition of “Al Hasad” (“Harvest of the Day”), Al Jazeera Arabic’s 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 channel’s programmes more dynamic and more interactive to attract new audiences, especially the youth.” He further added, “The new programmes will provide much more in–depth analysis and the new changes to the channel’s studios and on-screen graphics will reflect Al Jazeera’s commitment to deliver to our audiences the best in broadcasting while maintaining Al Jazeera’s 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 channel’s 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 channel’s 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 Jazeera’s 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 Jazeera’s 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 Sa’adoun Al Kuwwari at 8pm Monday nights.

“Minbar Al Jazeera” (“Al Jazeera’s 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)

Joanna Shields in conversation at The AIBs

27 October 2009

In addition to the presentation of the International Media Excellence Awards, the gala evening on November 4th also includes a special guest in conversation with the AIB.

Joanna Shields (http://www.crunchbase.com/person/joanna-shields) has extensive experience of the use of social media and online platforms to expand broadcasting into the new world of multi-platform and multi-media broadcasting. She will be offering insight into how broadcasters need to adapt to this new and complex world, and will also highlight some of the opportunities that exist to exploit innovative ways to reach and interact with audiences.

Joanna was President of Bebo, responsible for all commercial aspects of the global social media network. Following the takeover of Bebo by AOL she became Executive VP for People Networks at AOL , charged with integrating and growing all of AOL’s social media platforms. During her time at Bebo, the company produced the Internet’s most successful serialized drama, “KateModern,” which was nominated for two BAFTA awards and secured the Broadcasting Press Guild Innovation Award for Outstanding Development in Broadcasting.

Prior to her time at Bebo, Joanna was at Google as Managing Director for Google Europe, Russia, Middle East & Africa, where she built partnerships with some of the world’s largest media and telecom companies. She had previously been with RealNetworks as Vice President, International, where she launched the company’s mobile business unit

Joanna has is now launching a digital media content company with Elisabeth Murdoch, chairman and CEO of independent TV production company Shine Group. The company aims to fuse television production with the power and reach of social media and will also focus on bringing Shine Group content online.

Details of The AIBs including how to book can be found here

Quantel first in the world to release RED Rocket support

26 October 2009

Quantel has just released a new version of software for its eQ, iQ and Pablo systems which, among a number of other useful new features, also includes support for the RED Rocket accelerator board. RED Rocket only became available in August, and Quantel is the first manufacturer to release software that supports it, allowing Quantel users to benefit from the much reduced loading and conform times RED Rocket enables with RED-originated material.

“The fact that we have brought the benefits of the RED Rocket to Quantel users in such a short timescale is just another example of how focused Quantel is on its customers’ needs and the fantastic speed with which our engineers are able to react to new technologies,” said Steve Owen, Quantel Director of Marketing. “If it matters to our customers, then it matters to us!”

The new software release – V4.1rev6 – isn’t just about RED Rocket support. It also includes the Cubebuilder, which enables Pablo users to build, manipulate and apply 3D Look-up Tables (LUTs) entirely within Pablo, and many other new facilities and features, including:

* Process re-ordering in multi-layer timeline effects – more flexibility in effects creation

* Nine new blend modes – more creative options

* New and improved conform and file handling features – more efficient workflow means more time for creative work

* New file export modes simplify Blu-ray and DVD generation

Cross-media, cross-border, cross-cultural – the AIBs

21 October 2009

This event is attended by leading programme makers, journalists, editors and
executives from all over the world and last year was over-subscribed!

Click here to reserve your place at the 2009 AIBs gala dinner on 4 November at LSO st Lukes, London – AIB member price is £160 plus UK VAT per person/non-member price is £210 plus UK VAT per person

India to tighten rules for new TV channels

16 October 2009

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is planning to put stringent entry-level restrictions on broadcasters launching new television channels, the Business Standard reports.

The move is to ensure only serious players enter the business and have effective use of the limited bandwidth available for broadcasting.

A top ministry official said: “We have already asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to give its recommendations on the various criteria and conditions on the basis of which scarce resources will be given.”

Currently, India has over 500 TV channels with another 70 requests for new channels pending approval. Another 50-60 channels have been given a licence but are not operational. The ministry has asked Trai to review the existing norms and prepare the minimum criterion for granting permission.

It said that Trai would also include conditions of commitment to run the channel for a certain number of years to protect against fly-by-night operators.

At the moment, broadcasters can get permission to run a new channel if they have a net worth of India Rupees $10 million (about US$21,600) for operating one channel and India Rupees $30 million (about US$64,800) for operating a bouquet of 15 channels.

The broadcasters also have to currently ensure they operate from India and the foreign direct investment is not more than 49 percent (26 percent in the case for a news channel). There are no other restrictions on them. (Source: ABU website)

VOA launches FM radio station in Hargeisa, Somaliland

15 October 2009

Panelists emphasized the role of free press in promoting democracy at a Town Hall in Hargeisa, Somaliland today as the Voice of America (VOA) launched a new radio station in the Somalia breakaway region.

“We expect this station to serve our people impartially and to inform us – not just with news – but with balanced reports and knowledge,” Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin said as he welcomed VOA’s new broadcast.

The launch of 88.0 FM brought together journalists, government officials, opposition members and civil society activists who gathered afterwards for a discussion entitled, “A Free Press in a Democracy.”

Panelists praised the gains in independent media, but said challenges remain. Faisal Ali Sheikh, chairman of Jamhuriya newspaper, opposed pending legislation that would require the Ministry of Information to review advertisements.

“The media should lobby against the amendment … which is aimed at restricting the freedom of the press,” Ali Sheikh said. Other panelists included Su’as Hussein Hagi Elmi, a female activist and Mohamoud Hussain Farah, dean of Hargeisa Univesity’s Department of Law.

During an interview with VOA’s Somali service, Somaliland’s main opposition leader, Ahmed Mohammed Silanyo, also expressed his appreciation for the new station. “We are happy to see the Voice of American launch this FM station which will help the people of Somaliland,” Silanyo said.

VOA Hargeisa 88.0 will air 24 hours of VOA programs daily. The broadcast stream includes three and half hours of news and features from VOA’s Somali service along with popular English news, discussion and music programs such as World News Now, Daybreak Africa, Hip Hop Connection and Music Mix. Besides Somali, VOA also broadcasts in English and 11 other languages throughout Africa. More information is available at www.voanews.com/Somali and www.voaafrica.com