Tomorrow's launch of the English-language Al Jazeera International news channel will present the world with a strange broadcasting animal. Funded by the Emir of Qatar, the channel will likely tone down the graphic and/or sensational nature of its Arabic-language parent, but it will still be free from commercial sponsorship or advertiser concerns. There will actually be four bureaus — one in the channel's home city of Doha, Qatar (studio pictured), plus outposts in London, Washington DC, and Kuala Lumpur. The Emir's deep pockets sent recruiters on a shopping spree for correspondents worldwide, netting a few overseas-famous names. The BBC is said to be defensively realigning in response to Al Jazeera's nabbing of "Scud Stud" Rageh Omaar and Sir David Frost, among others; Frost will inaugurate his show Wednesday by interviewing British PM Tony Blair. Various other Brits came aboard as well, including a few who are apparently a bit too fond of the sauce for the Emir's liking.

No details on exactly who got enthusiastically blotto on recent trips to Al Jazeera's Doha HQ — Sir David, how could you — but supposedly several British staff spent so much time in the hotel bars that the Emir ordered them to undergo "cultural awareness" seminars while in the otherwise boozeless country. One presumes that patronizing the population of Bangladeshi prostitutes is also frowned upon. Nevertheless, while it appears that only the satellite-based Dish Network will carry Al Jazeera International in the United States (or is at least "willing" to carry it), tomorrow's relaunch of the Al Jazeera English website will stream the channel for free, in real time. Get ready to choose your next Anderson Cooper.

Al-Jazeera opens in London [SA]
Britons at Al-Jazeera TV station rapped for 'drinking binges' [ThisIsLondon]
Who Will Broadcast Al Jazeera? [NYM]
Al Jazeera English all set to launch [Al Jazeera]
[Photo: Getty]

Earlier: English-Language Al-Jazeera Debuts This Week