Al Jazeera America unveils scheduling plans

A one-hour current affairs magazine show America Tonight is to be at the heart of the daily schedule of Al Jazeera America, the new US news channel due to launch from New York later this year.

Rapid TV News reports that Kim Bondy, former CNN executive producer, will be the senior executive producer of the nightly show, with Adam May, Lori Jane Gliha and Christof Putzel making up half its team of national correspondents. In addition, America Tonight will feature content provided by the investigative team led by veteran journalist Ed Pound, and draw on Al Jazeera’s around the globe.

Seasoned producer Bondy was the vice president of morning programming at CNN, and the executive producer of CNN’s American Morning. She said: “I am extremely impressed with the journalistic mission of Al Jazeera America and am thrilled to have the opportunity to help shape such an important nightly programme. My goal is to report important stories in depth that explain what the news really means to viewers.”

Going out at 9pm, the Washington DC-based show will provide in-depth reports on the economy, government, education, healthcare and the environment, in addition to breaking news.

“America Tonight will be typical of what viewers will see on Al Jazeera America,” said Ehab Al Shihabi, executive director of international operations for Al Jazeera and the senior executive leading the development of the new channel. “We will provide our viewers with more than just headlines and statistics. America Tonight and all other Al Jazeera America programming will explain what the news really means to the daily lives of our viewers.”