Their coverage of the Arab Spring brought Qatar-based Al Jazeera into the homes of those in the west who followed the uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen. While Americans already had access to Al Jazeera English online, the television network has recently launched in America -- and will make its Chicago debut Monday.
Al Jazeera English has already made its way to television stations in New York City, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Ohio. Chicagoans will be able to watch as well on WTTW Ch. 11 and WTTW Prime (Comcast 370).
“We are thrilled to have AJE’s programs become available to Chicagoans,” Amjad Atallah, AJE Bureau Chief for the Americas said in a statement. “WTTW is widely known for its award-winning local and national productions, and we are pleased to now be providing global news to so many households throughout Chicago.”
According to a release, Al Jazeera has received more than 70,000 emails from Americans asking for the network since February.
“The addition of Al Jazeera English to our lineup is an excellent complement to our commitment to news,” Dan Soles, WTTW’s Senior Vice President and Chief Television Content Officer, said in a statement. “These award-winning newscasts will give our viewers access to coverage that already is being seen throughout the globe. This is another example of WTTW acting as a Window to the World for the Chicago community."
Al Jazeera English has 70 bureaus around the world, spanning six different continents. Chicagoans will be able to watch Al Jazeera's world news coverage at 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Friday on WTTW Prime and from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Saturdays on WTTW Ch. 11. More time slots will reportedly open up on Channel 11 in 2012. Curious about the network? Watch AJE's live stream here.