Al Jazeera to launch Urdu channel
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Al Jazeera announced in late January that it would begin test broadcasting an Urdu-language channel in a bid to tap into the world’s estimated 80 million Urdu speakers. The new channel, which will air news and exclusive programming, will be a joint venture between Al Jazeera and Pakistani network ARY Digital. The All-news Qatari channel is primarily targeting Pakistan where it is widely popular, according to Salman Ikbal, ARY’s president. Pakistani expatriate audiences are also to be targeted.
Actual service is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2006 and transmission will be carried via satellite and direct-to-home (DTH) cable.
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