Al Jazeera goes 24hrs on Freeview
September 13, 2012
Al Jazeera English is to begin broadcasting 24-hours daily on Freeview from September 19th, significantly increasing the channel’s current reach and potential viewership on the platform from just five hours per evening.
Freeview is currently serving almost 20 million homes, including nearly 11 million main set homes. Al Jazeera English already broadcasts 24/7 in more than 12 million DTH Satellite Homes.
Al Anstey, managing director of Al Jazeera English welcomed this expansion in the UK: “This is a major opportunity for many more viewers to experience our high-quality, in-depth coverage of events in the UK, in Europe, and around the globe. No matter when or where stories are happening, we are uniquely placed to deliver fast, round-the-clock coverage, with quality, depth and integrity.
“As well as news, we’re pleased more viewers will also have full access to our programmes and documentaries. They make up forty per cent of our output, giving us the ability to go deeper into global issues, as well as tell human stories that may not ordinarily make the headlines.”
Al Jazeera English’s global coverage this year earned them the title of News Channel of Year 2012, beating the BBC and Sky News, as the only non-domestic news broadcaster to ever win the Royal Television Society award.