Current TV
Current TV was an American television channel which broadcast from August 1, 2005, to August 20, 2013. Prior INdTV founders Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, with Ronald Burkle, each held a sizable stake in Current TV. Comcast and DirecTV each held a smaller stake.
Final logo, used from 2011 to 2013 | |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California with secondary studios in Culver City, California and New York City |
|---|---|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Al Gore and Joel Hyatt (2005–2013) Al Jazeera Media Network (2013) |
| Sister channels | Current TV UK (2007–2012) |
| History | |
| Launched | August 1, 2005 |
| Replaced | Newsworld International |
| Closed | August 20, 2013 |
| Replaced by | Al Jazeera America AJ+ and Jetty (later occupied former building, studio and used former infrastructure) |
The channel started out as a user-generated content channel with content made by viewers in 15-minute blocks. The channel later switched formats to become an independent news network aimed at progressive politics. Neither format brought the success that Gore and Hyatt had wanted.
On January 2, 2013, it was announced that Current TV had been sold by Gore and Hyatt to Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera Media Network. AJMN stated it planned to shut down the Current TV channel, retain its off-air staff, and to launch a new New York City-based channel named Al Jazeera America (using Current's distribution network). Current had operated in the same way with Newsworld International, a predecessor to Current. They also said they planned to scrap the channel's programming lineup and brand. Al Jazeera America replaced Current TV on August 20, 2013, at 3:00 pm Eastern, 2:00 pm Central time. The former headquarters would become the home of Al Jazeera's all-online digital channel AJ+.