Al Jazeera America’s inevitable collapse has begun with the elimination of all of its morning programming. Instead of producing its own programming, the basement-rated cable news network will simply re-broadcast Al Jazeera programs from its parent studio in Qatar. Also canceled is the late morning program, “Consider This With Antonio Mora.”
Mediabistro reports that behind-the-scenes staffers will be reassigned and “the fate of on-air talent is unclear.” Variety, however, reports that primetime anchors Ali Velshi and Joie Chen will have less airtime and mid-to-late afternoon programming is also on the chopping block.
Although the Qatar government that backs Al Jazeerra America has enough money to keep the network going until the end of time and beyond, the real problem isn’t ratings. MSNBC and CNN’s ratings are not much better than AJA’s.
No, the problem for AJA has always been traction and impact. Even though no one watches MSNBC and CNN, both of those left-wing cable news networks still have an impact on America’s political and cultural debates. AJA has never penetrated in that way.
Not once.
Since its launch in August of 2013, not a single AJA story has ever had any kind of impact on the American news narrative.
Not a single interview, YouTube moment, or AJA report has ever been anything other than a tree in a forest that no one heard fall.
Other than its obvious brand problem, the last thing America needed was yet another left-wing, terrorist-appeasing, America-hating news outlet.
Follow John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC
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