Current TV

Current TV
Final logo, used from 2011 to 2013
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California with secondary studios in Culver City, California and New York City
Ownership
OwnerAl Gore and Joel Hyatt (2005–2013)
Al Jazeera Media Network (2013)
Sister channelsCurrent TV UK (2007–2012)
History
LaunchedAugust 1, 2005 (2005-08-01)
ReplacedNewsworld International
ClosedAugust 20, 2013 (2013-08-20)
Replaced byAl Jazeera America
AJ+ and Jetty (later occupied former building, studio and used former infrastructure)

Current TV was an American television channel which broadcast from August 1, 2005, to August 20, 2013. Prior INdTV founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, with Ronald Burkle, each held a sizable stake in Current TV. Comcast and DirecTV each held a smaller stake.[1]

The channel started out as a user-generated content channel with content made by viewers in 15-minute blocks. The channel later switched formats to become an independent news network aimed at progressive politics. Neither format brought the success that Gore and Hyatt had wanted.

On January 2, 2013, it was announced that Current TV had been sold by Gore and Hyatt to Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera Media Network.[1][2][3] AJMN stated it planned to shut down the Current TV channel, retain its off-air staff, and to launch a new New York City-based channel named Al Jazeera America (using Current's distribution network). Current had operated in the same way with Newsworld International, a predecessor to Current.[4] They also said they planned to scrap the channel's programming lineup and brand.[5] Al Jazeera America replaced Current TV on August 20, 2013, at 3:00 pm Eastern, 2:00 pm Central time. The former headquarters would become the home of Al Jazeera's all-online digital channel AJ+.

  1. ^ a b "Al-Jazeera buys Al Gore's Current TV". Associated Press. January 3, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  2. ^ "AL-JAZEERA BUYS CURRENT TV FROM AL GORE". AP. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  3. ^ Stelter, Brian (January 2, 2013). "Al Jazeera Seeks a U.S. Voice Where Gore Failed". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  4. ^ "Al Jazeera buys US channel Current TV". Al Jazeera. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference forbesann was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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