Dr. James Zogby

Viewpoint

Watch a Past Episode

"Viewpoint" is a weekly one-hour live policy program hosted by AAI President James Zogby. A lecturer and scholar on Middle East issues and US-Arab relations, Dr. Zogby interviews today's policy makers and engages callers from around the world. His one-on-one interviews are seen by millions of people in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and North America. Past Guests

Viewpoint Episodes and Transcripts

Click here to watch past episodes or to read show transcripts.

Broadcast Schedule

You can watch "Viewpoint with James Zogby" live from 6 to 7 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. Pacific) every Thursday on Abu Dhabi TV and LinkTV. You can also watch the rebroadcasts on LinkTV at 3 p.m. on Saturday, on WNVC at 2 p.m. on Sunday, on ABUDA at 3 and 10 p.m. on Monday and 2 a.m. on Tuesday. In the Washington, D.C. Metro area, the program is rebroadcast on the MHz Network (WNVC Channel 197) each Sunday at 2 p.m. In Flint, Mich., the program is rebroadcast Sundays at 3 p.m. on WFUM (PBS Channel 28). Viewers can participate in the program by calling 1-800-528-2090 in the US and 00-1-202-842-5056 abroad.

Nielsen Ratings

Although there is no Nielsen type ratings system to put an absolute number on our viewership, we know that our ADTV audience includes a global audience of 30 million households. Here in the United States, that is about 200,000 Arab American households. Because the program is also carried live on LinkTV, a non-profit network based in California, we reach an additional 20 million households nationwide. The program is re-broadcast on Michigan's WFUM PBS affiliate, TV Orient, and Virginia's non-profit MHz every Sunday.

A final word about ADTV. Polling indicates that ADTV is the "most respected" Arab news network. Unlike other regional networks which have been known for their sensational reporting, viewers give ADTV descriptors such as "ethical", "accurate", and "reliable". Once more, the network consistently ranks as one of the most watched overall. As for "Viewpoint", it recently won an award at the Cairo Radio/Television Festival—the equivalent of an Arab world Emmy.

Information Regarding the Upcoming Conversion from Analog to Digital TV

On February 17, 2009, traditional analog television will go away. Analog television will be replaced by digital tv. This is an exciting time but it also can be a confusing time for viewers. I will try to explain things as simply as I can.

For those of you (or your viewers) who already have digital cable (Comcast, Cox, etc), Verizon Fios, DirecTV, Dish Network, or if you already have a digital tv set or set top box with the ability to see DT 30 you will not have to do anything. You will be able to watch MHz uninterrupted during and after the transition.

If you (or any of your viewers) do not have any of the above, you will need to purchase a converter box in order to view MHz and other local tv signals over the air. The converter boxes are available at most major electronic stores and will range in price from about $40 to $80. Viewers may receive assistance in the purchase of a converter box by visiting www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) to request a converter box coupon.

As part of the digital transition and to finish the final build out of MHz’s digital transmission system, MHz, along with a handful of other tv broadcast stations, will shutdown our analog “over the air” signal prior to the February 17, 2009 deadline. On Sept. 1, 2008, analog channel 56 and its digital counterpart DT-57 will be turned off to make way for installation of the new digital transmitter. This means that MHz channels will not be available via broadcast (“over the air”) from September 1, 2008 until Feb 17, 2009—the digital conversion date.

On February 18, 2009, MHz will reappear “over the air” in digital, and viewers will awaken to a new catalog of new MHz Channels and international content with a better picture & sound quality.

In an effort to get the information out to viewers, MHz will be producing a short spot that will announce the shutdown of MHz’s analog “over the air” signal. I ask that once you receive your copy, within the next few weeks, that you also air it inside of your program at least one time each show. Please understand that this is important info that must get out to the public.

For more information on the digital transition, feel free to visit www.dtv.gov or click the countdown box on the MHz Networks homepage (www.mhznetworks.org).

Contact Us

For comments or questions, please contact: jzogby@aaiusa.org (202) 429-9210 1600 K Street NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20006