SNR Denton advises as Al-Jazeera goes 24/7 on Freeview

Al Jazeera’s news service previously only ran for five hours a day on Freeview, the free-to-air digiteal terrestrial television platform, from 6pm to 11pm. But the broadcaster secured an extension to its existing contract with Arqiva - a company that owns two of Freeview’s commercial multiplexes, one of which carries Al Jazeera – in September, allowing Al Jazeera to air continuously.

SNR Denton’s team was led by London-based communications partner Ingrid Silver, assisted by associate Stephen Ridgway. Arquiva was advised on the deal by its in-house team.

Background to this deal:

According to Silver, SNR Denton won the Al Jazeera mandate through its existing relationship with the company, as opposed to a pitch. The firm has advised the broadcaster for a number of years with its relationship traceable back to SNR Denton’s Qatar office, which launched in 2007, and the firm’s Middle East management group chair Safwan Moubaydeen, who is the relationship partner. Silver added that the firm has advised the broadcaster on deals across Europe, the Middle East and the US.

Other clients of Silver’s include Food Network and Travel Channel-owner Scripps, EMI, and History Channel-owner AETN.