Al Jazeera English, part of the Al Jazeera Network, with its own content, editors and journalists, has become available for the first time to cable television viewers across New York.

Two million subscribers to Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS in the New York City region will be able to tune into its global news coverage 24 hours a day.

This has been made possible through cooperation with Regional News Network (RNN), a privately owned, New York-based news and talk television network, a statement said.

“We're delighted to now be on televisions across New York,” said Al Anstey, managing director, Al Jazeera English. “This launch has been fueled by viewer demand. We are already part of the media landscape here, with one in ten people having got information on events in America and the world from our website this year alone.”

“We get more Web traffic from New York than any other city on earth. Half a million New Yorkers are classed as regular visitors.”

“Ever since our establishment, we’ve been committed to coverage of America and New York with a large bureau and team of journalists based in the city, so we’re delighted to now be broadcasting global news onto televisions throughout the global melting pot that is New York,” he added.

RNN also plans to air Al Jazeera English on WRNN-TV weekdays at 5pm EST, leading into the Emmy-Award winning “Richard French Live”, the statement said.

“Since 1993, Regional News Network has proudly served the tri-state area with original and compelling programming,” said RNN President Dick French.

“We are thrilled to be working with Al Jazeera English to meet the demand that exists for more international news in the New York City area, one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse in the world.”

“Al Jazeera English has a clear commitment to telling stories from often underreported regions from Latin America, through Africa and the Middle East to Asia and the Far East. We're sure New Yorkers will appreciate its presence in the lineup of channels,” French added. – TradeArabia News Service