Al Jazeera America, the U.S. wing of the Qatar-based Arab media company, is shutting down operations in its cable television unit within three months.
Launched in 2013, the channel was billed as a more progressive and left-leaning news outlet for a younger audience. Some called it a propaganda effort by the Qatari government, which helps fund the parent company Al Jazeera. Others applauded its independent viewpoint on current events, particularly its documentary work that garnered a variety of awards.
There was little doubt, however, that regardless of its politics, the content had not resonated with the American public. Al Jazeera started with a bang, posting job openings for 170 journalists and hiring the likes of Ali Velshi away from CNN. That did little to attract viewers, with only around 30,000 viewers per night tuning in after two years of operation.
One lesson here is: it's actually really, really quite difficult to get millions of people to watch something you make.— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) January 13, 2016
In a letter to employees, CEO Al Anstey said that the channel's "business model is simply not sustainable in an increasingly digital world, and because of the current global financial challenges."
Al Jazeera as a whole has been cutting back amid economic struggles in the Middle East, primarily tied to a steep decline in the price of oil. News broke in September 2015 that the company was looking to cut up to 1,000 jobs across the Al Jazeera network.
Al Jazeera America (AJA) staffers were notified on Wednesday that the channel would cease to operate at the end of April. CNN's Brian Stelter reported that AJA President Kate O'Brian had tears in her eyes as she addressed the staff.
Very sorry to see Al Jazeera America shutting down. Quality of their coverage/discussion is often better than higher-rated outlets.— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) January 13, 2016
AJA came into existence after Al Jazeera bought Current TV in January 2013 for $500 million from Al Gore. The transaction provided an instant distribution system into the homes of around 100 million Americans.
The company said in a press release that while it is shutting down the television portion of the venture, it intends to increase its investment in digital media through AJ+. Newswhip named it one of the most successful online news operations of 2015 thanks in part to its success on Facebook.
Good riddance Al Jazeera English. I've refused to be interviewed by them because of their policy banning words like "terrorist" & "Islamist"— Rep. Jeff Duncan (@RepJeffDuncan) January 13, 2016
Al Anstey, CEO of AJA, said in a statement that he remains proud of the work produced in the channel's short run.
"I have witnessed and worked alongside some of the most talented people any organization could wish for. Since its launch in 2013, the work done by the team at Al Jazeera America has been recognized with nearly every major award an American news organization can receive," he said. "I greatly respect the unrivaled commitment and excellent work of our team, which has created great journalism. We have increasingly set ourselves apart from all the rest, and the achievements of the past two-and-a-half years should be a source of immense pride for everyone."
AJA had recently made some headlines with a report about the use of performance enhancing drugs in professional sports. Peyton Manning was among the athletes linked to the use of human growth hormone in the report. Manning has strongly denied the allegation and publicly stated that he is considering legal action against the channel.
Manning took a bit of a parting jab at AJA when asked about the shut down.
Peyton on Al Jazeera America shutting down: "I'm sure it's just devastating to all their viewers." pic.twitter.com/R1m5s7joS0— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 13, 2016