Al Jazeera is to launch a channel specifically targeting the Balkans region. According to Al Jazeera Network, Al Jazeera Balkans will make its debut in early 2011 and broadcast in the regional language.
Local reports say Al Jazeera recently purchased the Sarajevo-based station NTV99 for KM2.4 million (€1.22 million) and has plans to invest around €10 million in the service by the end of this year.
Al Jazeera Network confirms that the new service will offer news and current affairs programming across the Balkans region and be available on major cable services, as well as satellite.
Al Jazeera made its debut 13 years ago and was formally named Al Jazeera Network in March 2006.
Al Jazeera Network currently consists of the flagship Al Jazeera Arabic channel, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Documentary, Al Jazeera Sport, Al Jazeera.net (the English and Arabic web sites), the Al Jazeera Media Training and Development Centre, the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, Al Jazeera Mubasher (Live) and Al Jazeera Mobile.