Tag Archives: Starting Point

O’Brien to Serve as Special Correspondent for Al Jazeera America

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Following its hiring of Michael Viqueira last month, Al Jazeera America has landed another noted Hispanic journalist: Soledad O’Brien.

The network, which had been rumored to be eyeing the 46-year-old half-Cuban American broadcaster, confirmed on Monday that it has signed a deal with the former CNN star.

Soledad O'Brien

O’Brien will contribute to Al Jazeera America as “special correspondent.”

Meanwhile, her production company, Starfish Media Group, will produce hourlong documentary specials for the cable network.

“I look forward to beginning a relationship with Al Jazeera America, which has made a commitment to producing quality programming and pursuing underreported stories,” O’Brien said in the announcement.

As a correspondent, O’Brien will contribute short-form segments to the primetime current affairs magazine America Tonight on the new network, which is funded by the government of Qatar.

O’Brien stepped down from CNN in March when network chief Jeff Zucker cancelled her morning program Starting Point.

At the time she left CNN, she formed Starfish Media, which, in addition to the production deal with Al Jazeera America, now also has a production deal with CNN, as well as development deals at HBO and National Geographic Channel.

O’Brien’s Production Company In Talks to Develop Content for Al Jazeera America

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Soledad O’Brien could soon be developing content for Al Jazeera America…

The 46-year-old half-Cuban American broadcast journalist and television producer’s Starfish Media Group is currently in advanced talks with Al Jazeera America on a production deal, a person familiar with the matter tells The Hollywood Reporter.

Soledad O'Brien

As part of the deal, O’Brien’s company would produce long-form programming and other segments for the soon-to-be-launched cable news network.

Earlier this month, O’Brien inked a content development deal with HBO for projects developed by Starfish Media Group. She also appears on the HBO program Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel.

O’Brien announced the formation of Starfish Media Group in February as she was leaving CNN’s Starting Point. Her production company will also continue to produce programming for the cable news network.

Al Jazeera America, backed by the government of Qatar, is set to launch later this summer.

O’Brien’s “Starting Point” Launching Next Week

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Starting next week, you’ll have the chance to wake up with Soledad O’Brien.

Starting Point, the 45-year-old half-Cuban journalist’s brand new morning show on CNN, will launch on Monday, January 2. It will air weekdays from 7:00-9:00 am.

Soledad O'Brien

CNN had previously confirmed rumors that the network was planning to revamp its morning lineup, with O’Brien and Ashleigh Banfield at the top of the list of anchors predicted to be a part of the new early morning schedule.

Meanwhile, Zoraida Sambolin will co-host Early Start with Banfield. The show will run right before O’Brien’s Starting point from 5:00-7:00 am.

Sambolin is a former early morning news anchor from Chicago, while Banfield is a former ABC News co-anchor.

The news comes as CNN is hoping to break through the morning show clutter dominated by the Today show, Good Morning America as well as Fox & Friends and Morning Joe.