Al Jazeera English

When last we saw our intrepid TV person, she was involved in a simple State of the State program. Little did she know that not 18 hours later, she would fall into the whirlwind called Al Jazeera English. For those who are not aware, Al Jazeera (pronounced Al Jazira) is the English version of the Arabic-Language News Network. The troubles in Egypt caused Al Jazeera to be shut off in Egypt and so the only broadcast coming out of that area, is in English. We carry Megahertz Worldview and they added the show to their satellite feed on Tuesday and that is where we got it, along with some other International shows.
Since Los Angeles does not currently have anyone retransmitting Al Jazeera, we contacted a person who is currently working with us (and who has worked for them before), and with her calling her contacts, we got the rights to air their show direct. We started with just a half hour at 4P, with some other programs like IBA from Israel and Russian Television and it was quite an interesting news block. My guys both watched it.

Day 2 increased our load. We added an 11AM Al Jazeera feed and then got permission to go for a full hour direct from their satellite, from 4P to 5P (losing the Russians along the way) and an hour in Prime Time. The ratings did well and so last night we added another hour in Primetime with LIVE wraps around the show.
Live meant that, literally out of nowhere, I suddenly had to stay and man the Traffic system, for the last minute changes live things bring. May I say that I have not done something during a live production for over 20 years, so that was interesting. Good thing I brought the car with me, because I didn't get home til 10:30PM.
It was a long day and from what I heard yesterday afternoon, we will be doing a live panel discussion show tonight at 8PM.

Expect me to be manning that position again tonight.

I am TOTALLY looking forward to the weekend!