Al-Jazeera English Launches

Al-Jazeera launched an English language network Wednesday. Al-Jazeera English can not be watched on US cable yet but is available on the GlobeCast satellite network. It is also available to stream online -- a low-quality version, free for 15 minutes or a high-quality, subscription version. Numair.com has some thoughts on the new network:

Rather than looking at the immature, idiotic boycott of Al-Jazeera as a bad thing, I see it as a bit of a blessing in disguise. By being banned from the normal media outlets, perhaps Al-Jazeera will be forced to come up with creative uses of digital technology to get their message across. . . We're in the midst of a media revolution in which everything is being turned upside down; rather than being an also-ran in yesterday's format, Al-Jazeera would do well to become a leader in tomorrow's methods of consumption. The boycott perfectly positions Al-Jazeera as a well-funded, high-quality content creator with absolutely nothing to lose on the broadcast/traditional side from throwing content out on the web and experimenting to see what "sticks" and generates revenue. I am sure the more innovative among the ranks of organizations such as CNN would be envious of such an opportunity.

-Dippold

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