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NoozzVIEW; Al Jazeera makes news

Al Jazeera, the pioneering satellite TV network that has created many precedents since it was founded in Doha in 1996 with a far-sighted US$150 million grant from the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, is in line to make fresh headline news in the Arab world if it succeeds – as some industry observers now feel possible – in its expected bid to show English Premier League soccer matches in the Middle East. The station, which first launched a sports channel five years ago and has since branched out into children’s’ programming and broadcasting a separate programme in English, is believed to be in talks with the league about the rights, which cover the three years beginning with the 2010-2011 season.