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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted a down-linking license to Qatar based English news channel, Al Jazeera.
Qatar based news channel, Al Jazeera English, has been granted a down-linking license by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The channel can thus begin its broadcast in India. The decision comes four years after a formal application was initiated by Al Jazeera English.
In an official communiqué, Al Anstey, managing director, Al Jazeera English, says, "This is an exciting breakthrough that has been in the works for several years. We are extremely pleased that Al Jazeera English's groundbreaking news and programming will soon be available in India."
With this decision, cable and satellite platforms will be able to distribute the channel immediately. Al Jazeera claims that a number of providers have already expressed interest in airing the channel.
Diana Hosker, head, distribution, Al Jazeera English, states, "We look forward to working closely with distribution platforms to bring the channel to India as soon as possible. With the prospect of reaching an estimated 115 million households in India, this market will be significant as we continue to expand our global reach."
Al Jazeera English currently has a bureau in New Delhi, which is headed by the bureau chief, Anmol Saxena.
Al Jazeera English was launched in 2006 and has more than 65 news bureaus around the world, the majority of which are located in the Southern hemisphere. The channel claims that it has more than 1,000 employees worldwide and is currently available in more than 100 countries, reaching more than 220 million households.