Al Jazeera America Hires ABC News’ Kate O’Brian as President

Al Jazeera America on Monday announced it has hired ABC News veteran Kate O'Brian to be president of the new channel, which it also confirmed will launch on Aug. 20.

O'Brian will work with Ehab Al-Shihabi, the executive who has been overseeing the transition from Current TV, and who on Monday was named interim CEO. As executive director for international operations, El-Shihabi has been in charge of developing the new network, including hiring anchors Ali Velshi, Soledad O'Brien and Richelle Carey. He has been with Al Jazeera for five years, in that time helping launch its Balkans and Turkish channels.

Al Jazeera America also on Monday appointed three members of its senior editorial staff: former CNN producer David Doss will be senior VP of news programming; former CBS News executive Marcy McGinnis will be senior VP of newsgathering; and former CNN morning show producer Shannon High-Bassalik will be senior VP of documentaries and programs.

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