Al Jazeera has commissioned a six-part environmental series, earthrise, from high-end factual prodco Talesmith. earthrise (6×30-minutes) explores the most significant environmental threats to the planet and highlights eco-friendly solutions being employed around the world to tackle them. Stories include how Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar formed a local group to help protect Bangladesh’s last surviving elephants […]
Al Jazeera has denounced the Israeli government’s decision to close Al Jazeera Media Network’s bureau in Jerusalem and revoke the media credentials of its journalists. Al Jazeera spoke out after Israeli Communications Minister, Ayoub Kara, said during a press conference at the weekend that the government also planned to shut down Al Jazeera’s cable and […]
The upcoming subscription VOD service from TV tech company Ericsson has acquired more than 2,500 hours of programming from major international distributors. Nuvu, which was created for distribution via African mobile operators, will get the programming through agreements with Viacom, MGM, CBS, Al Jazeera, DHX Media and Mattel, among others. This hands the Nigerian service […]
Factual-focused SVOD net CuriosityStream has acquired a Scorpion TV documentary that looks at birth in a new light, for its global service. The John Hendricks-created platform has tapped UK-based Scorpion for Microbirth, a 1x60mins doc that looks at birthing through microscopic lenses. CuriosityStream has been building out its offer through acquisitions and originals since launching […]
Vivendi chairman Vincent Bolloré has set his sights on the acquisition of Canal+ rival beIN Sport France, with talks underway, according to French daily Libération, citing unnamed sources. According to the paper, Vivendi is considering two options: an exclusive distribution agreement that would give it the right to distribute beIN Sport France to the exclusion […]
Al Jazeera America will close its cable and digital operations in the coming months, citing an unsustainable business model. Announcing the decision yesterday, Al Jazeera America CEO Al Anstey said that the US network would cease operating by April 30 – less than three years after its launch. In an email to all employees, Anstey […]
Sports channel operator beIN Media has taken full control of its channels in Asia. The channels group has bought out its former joint venture partner, giving it full ownership of the beIN Sports services in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. The nets launched in the region in 2013 and were previously run as […]
Al Jazeera has acquired Turkish pay TV operator Digitürk via its BeIN Sports arm. Financial details of the acquisition were not released. Reports in April suggested that BeIN Sports was expected to pay between US$1 billion and US$1.2 billion for the operator. Digitürk, which holds top-tier Turkish football rights until the end of the 2016-17 […]
Spanish broadcaster Atresmedia has launched its planned new male-focused free-to-air channel Mega, using the frequency previously occupied by football channel GolT. Content on the channel includes iconic 80s science series Cosmos, fronted by Carl Sagan, Bonnie and Clyde and Justified (pictured), as well as some sport content including Champions League football highlights. Mediapro-owned GolT will […]
Al Jazeera-owned BeIN Media Group, which operates the sports networks of the same name, is in advanced talks to buy Turkish pay TV operator Digitürk, according to Reuters, citing three sources familiar with the talks. Reuters reported that the talks are at an advanced state but have not yet been finalised, with the possibility that […]
