CNN has entered into an exclusive partnership with the Albanian company Gener2 in order to launch what will be the country’s 24-hour news channel.
Known as A2, it will be based in the capital, Tirana and target not only viewers in Albania but also millions of Albanians living outside the country.
Commenting on A2, which is expected to launch by the end of this year, Gener2 CEO Bashkim Ulaj said: “By launching this CNN affiliated news channel headquartered in Tirana, we want to raise the bar in the local news production, change media reality in Albania and offer fast, in depth, accurate and credible news source. In developing this exciting new venture we partnered with media experts with great experience and background, leading global technological, creative and communication companies and we believe that final product will be beyond anything present on Albanian and regional media market”.
Greg Beitchman, VP, content sales and partnerships, CNN International Commercial, added: A2 has the potential to bring a new and unique style of journalism to Albania as it becomes the country’s exclusive CNN partner and joins our network of over 1,100 worldwide affiliates. We look forward to working with Gener2 over the coming months in training, consulting and content ideas to develop a media platform that can become a news leader in Albania”.
A2 will be an exclusive CNN affiliate and complement its original programming by incorporating selected CNN programming and news translated into the Albanian language.
Gener2 is one of the largest privately owned construction and civil engineering companies in Albania. Its business activities include civil construction, infrastructure and road construction, engineering and project management, energy and telecommunications, property management and retail.
Meanwhile, CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) is the division of Turner International responsible for the business operations of CNN’s properties outside the US. All the commercial activities for brands such as CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Arabic, CNN Style, CNNMoney and Great Big Story are aligned within the division.
