Al Jazeera America will cease operation by April 30, 2016, the broadcaster announced.
Al Jazeera said that “the economic landscape of the media environment has driven its strategic decision to wind down its operations and conclude its service.”
Al Jazeera America was launched in August 2013, after taking over Al Gore’s Current TV. The channel currently reaches 60.8 million cable homes.
“I have witnessed and worked alongside some of the most talented people any organisation could wish for,” said Al Anstey, CEO of Al Jazeera America, in a statement.
“Since its launch in 2013, the work done by the team at Al Jazeera America has been recognised with nearly every major award an American news organisation can receive. I greatly respect the unrivalled commitment and excellent work of our team, which has created great journalism. We have increasingly set ourselves apart from all the rest, and the achievements of the past two-and-a-half years should be a source of immense pride for everyone.”
At the same time, Al Jazeera said it is to expand digital services in the US, “Al Jazeera Media Network today announced from Doha its intention to expand its existing international digital services to broaden its multi-platform presence in the United States.
“As audiences increasingly turn to multiple platforms, including mobile devices, for news and information, this expansion will allow US and non-US consumers alike to access the Network’s journalism and content wherever and whenever they want.”
Over the coming months the network intends to provide more details around the forthcoming expansion of its multi-platform digital services to the US.
