• by David Goetzl , April 17, 2007

Al Jazeera's English version has reached a deal to take advantage of YouTube's branded-channel option. It will launch its own locale on the heavily trafficked site and make clips from its programming available to users.

The YouTube deal is aimed at raising the profile of the network's English offering, both on-air and online. While YouTube prohibits long-form programming, the network's Web site offers it. The YouTube area will also include links to the English-language site.

Al Jazeera's programming includes a show featuring famed interviewer David Frost and the weekly "Inside Iraq," which looks at the conflict there. Separately, Al Jazeera English is planning to bolster programming on its Web site, with some exclusive offerings that could be promoted on the YouTube outlet.

"We believe that YouTube is a perfect platform to reach out to our audience and to give wide and easy access to new viewers around the world," said Nigel Parsons, managing director of the network.