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Al-Jazeera announced Wednesday that it was acquiring Current TV, the network launched by former Vice President Al Gore.

"By acquiring Current TV, Al Jazeera will significantly expand our existing distribution footprint in the U.S., as well as increase our newsgathering and reporting efforts in America," Al-Jazeera Director General Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani said in a statement.

The new channel, Al-Jazeera America, will be based in New York. The Qatar-based Arabic-language network already operates an English-language arm, Al-Jazeera English. The New York Times reported that roughly 60 percent of the new network's programming will be produced in the U.S.; the rest will come from Al-Jazeera English.

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Al Jazeera Buys Al Gore’s Current TV in U.S. Expansion -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Al-Jazeera in talks to buy Current TV, gain stronger foothold in US television market -- Washington Post/AP
Al-Jazeera to Buy Current TV -- Wall Street Journal
Al Jazeera Acquires Current TV -- New York Times
Al Jazeera Completes Purchase of Current TV (Updated) -- Reuters

My Comment: They want to expand into the American market .... but will Americans want to watch their take of the news? Aside from Arab Americans, I have doubts that they will be able to penetrate the other demographics. I link to Al Jazeera stories in this blog all the time .... and while I know that their perspective is an Arab one .... I do try my best to balance things out by linking to other sources and opinions.