VOA慢速英语2016--半岛电视台宣布关闭美国业务

AS IT IS 2016-01-14 Al Jazeera America Announces Closing 半岛电视台宣布关闭美国业务

Al Jazeera America, the three-year-old cable news channel that promised to cover in-depth journalism¹ in the U.S., is closing.

The Qatar-based Al Jazeera media company plans to end Al Jazeera America operations by April 30.

Company officials announced the closing in an email to employees Tuesday. Al Jazeera America head Al Anstey explained the decision in the email. He said the business was not “sustainable in light of the economic challenges in the U.S. media marketplace.” He praised the work done by the news outlet².

The royal family of Qatar owns Al Jazeera. In 2012, the media company bought Al Gore’s Current TV for $500 million. It launched Al Jazeera America in 2013. AJAM, as it is called, has suffered from low ratings since it opened. Some experts say the broadcaster’s Arab name hurt it in the United States. Some cable companies would not even carry Al Jazeera America. 

Recently, AJAM aired a documentary alleging³ that famous American athletes had used performance-enhancing drugs. Those named included football player Peyton Manning and baseball player Ryan Howard. Both denied the reports and threatened to sue the cable network.

Al Jazeera America never publicly released ratings information. But industry experts say the network never reached even 100 million viewers. It has been losing large amounts of money every year. The financial situation has worsened as a result of low oil prices.

Al Jazeera says it will expand its digital operations to maintain a strong presence in the United States.

Words and Their Stories

channel - n. a television or radio station?

sustainable - adj. able to last or continue for a long time?

challenge - n.a difficult task or problem: something that is hard to do?

alleging - v. to state without definite proof that someone has done something wrong or illegal?

sue - v. to take legal action against

1 journalism   

n.新闻工作，报业

参考例句：

• He's a teacher but he does some journalism on the side.他是教师，可还兼职做一些新闻工作。
• He had an aptitude for journalism.他有从事新闻工作的才能。

2 outlet   

n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄

参考例句：

• The outlet of a water pipe was blocked.水管的出水口堵住了。
• Running is a good outlet for his energy.跑步是他发泄过剩精力的好方法。

3 alleging   

断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• His reputation was blemished by a newspaper article alleging he'd evaded his taxes. 由于报上一篇文章声称他曾逃税，他的名誉受到损害。
• This our Peeress declined as unnecessary, alleging that her cousin Thornhill's recommendation would be sufficient. 那位贵人不肯，还说不必，只要有她老表唐希尔保荐就够了。