Al Jazeera America (AJAM) is a soon-to-be-defunct American basic cable and satellite news television channel that is owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network. The channel was launched on August 20, 2013 to compete with CNN, HLN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, and in certain markets, RT America. The channel was Al Jazeera's second entry into the U.S. television market, after the launch of beIN Sport in 2012. The channel, which had persistently low ratings, announced in January 2016 that it will close on April 30, 2016, citing the "economic landscape".