Press release from TVS
TVS will screen English language news bulletins from Al Jazeera starting today. The 10pm weekday broadcasts will come from the Al Jazeera Doha news centre, one of the network's four global hubs.
Signing up Al Jazeera was one of the last decisions of TVS Chief Executive, Laurie Patton, who last week announced he is leaving the channel he created after six years at the helm.
"As a former journalist, I've always recognised the value of multiple viewpoints," Mr Patton said.
Al Jazeera English began transmitting in 2006. It can be seen in more than 100 countries and claims a potential audience in excess of 190 million. In
Australia it is available to regional viewers on the Austar pay TV service.
Al Jazeera English is staffed by a large contingent of Australian and ex-BBC journalists. Its stable of studio presenters includes Hamish MacDonald who
started his TV career in WIN TV's Canberra newsroom after graduating from Charles Sturt University. In 2008 MacDonald was named Young Journalist of the Year by the British Royal Television Society.
In addition to its news bulletins Al Jazeera English screens current affairs programs – including Frost Over the World, hosted by legendary British TV
presenter Sir David Frost.