What AJ+ does

AJ+ is a global digital newsroom and video journalism platform that operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Qatar-based Al Jazeera Media Network, founded in September 2014. The company produces social-first video content covering global events, social movements, culture, technology, and the economy through a "Global South lens" that intentionally centers voices often excluded from mainstream international media coverage. AJ+ distributes its content free of charge to consumers across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook, reaching 18M+ followers and generating 1B+ annual video views. The company is built around a portfolio of branded content series including 'Direct From with Dena Takruri' (investigative docuseries), 'Eat This with Yara' (food-focused documentary), 'AJ+ Reports' (Global South spotlights), 'In Context' (YouTube explainer series), 'News to Me' (satirical show), and 'Bisan From Gaza' (on-the-ground documentary). Its core technology stack comprises mobile-first video production tools and bold visual storytelling techniques distinctive for eye-catching on-screen text overlays, enabling efficient social-media-native content creation.

The business model is mission-driven and supported by Al Jazeera Media Network's government funding from Qatar rather than commercial monetization. Consumer-facing content is free with no pricing tier; advertising revenue is implied as the primary commercial stream but not disclosed, and the organization does not pursue aggressive commercial optimization. The primary go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer distribution through organic social channels, targeting Gen Z and millennial digital natives in the Global South and politically engaged global audiences. Editorial partnerships with TED, The Marshall Project, The Intercept, and Africa is a Country extend reach through co-production arrangements, and film screening events with partner organizations create mid-funnel engagement. Operations are split between Doha (parent headquarters) and Cape Town (primary English production hub), with content languages including English, Arabic, French, and Spanish across the wider AJ+ family.

AJ+ has accumulated a substantial award portfolio (Emmy, Peabody, Edward R. Murrow, James Beard, Webby, AAAS Kavli, Shorty) across 2018-2025, validating editorial excellence in investigative, explanatory, and documentary formats. The company has 51-100 employees and operates with the agility of a digital startup while leveraging Al Jazeera's resource base and brand credibility for global distribution.

Name

AJ+

Legal name

AJ+

Website

https://ajplus.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AJ+ is a digital newsroom within Al Jazeera Media Network producing social-first video journalism through a Global South lens, distributing free content across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook to 18M+ politically engaged digital native followers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital News and Video Journalism

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

General Entertainment AVOD Platforms (MPACAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

News & Content Aggregation Portals (BPAMAAAI), User-Generated Content (UGC) & Short-Form Video Platforms (BPAMAJAH)

Keywords

• Digital video journalism
• Social-first news content
• Documentary series production
• Global news platform
• Explainer video series

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Media Content Distribution: AJ+ operates as a digital newsroom under the Al Jazeera Media Network, producing and distributing free video content across social platforms. Revenue generation is not explicitly disclosed in available materials. The organization focuses on mission-driven journalism rather than commercial revenue optimization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AJ+ is a global digital newsroom that produces and distributes free, social-first video journalism content covering world events through a Global South lens. The platform produces a portfolio of branded video shows and series — including investigative docuseries, food-focused documentaries, explainers, on-the-ground reporting from conflict zones, and satirical news programming — distributed primarily through YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook for free consumption by global digital-native audiences.

Product overview

AJ+ is a global digital newsroom and video journalism platform operated by the Al Jazeera Media Network. The platform offers a portfolio of branded shows and content series, including Direct From with Dena Takruri (investigative docuseries), Eat This with Yara (food-focused documentary series), AJ+ Reports (documentary series from the Global South), News to Me (satirical news show), In Context (YouTube explainer series), and Bisan From Gaza (on-the-ground documentary series). AJ+ produces daily video content, carousels, and longer-form explainers primarily for social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, targeting a global young, diverse, politically attentive audience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Direct From with Dena Takruri Investigative docuseries hosted by senior presenter Dena Takruri that holds the powerful to account and highlights voices of those impacted by injustice globally; recognized with Peabody, Edward R. Murrow, and Emmy Awards.
• Eat This with Yara Educational short documentary series in which journalist Yara Elmjouie explores the social history and science of the world through the lens of food; awarded by the Daytime Emmys, James Beard Foundation, Webby Awards, and AAAS.
• AJ+ Reports Award-winning documentary series spotlighting overlooked voices, communities, and issues from across the Global South, bringing stories to a worldwide audience with over 120 episodes.
• News to Me Satirical news show set in Cape Town, South Africa that talks back to Global North narratives with sharp wit, goofy gags, and political commentary, hosted by Céline Tshika.
• In Context YouTube explainer series that breaks down complex global issues with research, analysis, and animation, delivering over 90 episodes covering power, politics, and historical context.
• Bisan From Gaza Emmy-winning documentary series chronicling life, war, and resilience in Gaza through video journalist Bisan Owda's firsthand reports; recognized with Peabody and Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18M+ followers across platforms
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• TEDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAJ+ collaborated with TED to transform TED Talks into visually engaging videos, which were shared with AJ+'s audience. This editorial partnership helped amplify TED content to AJ+'s global digital-native audience.
• The Marshall ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAJ+ took research conducted by The Marshall Project and transformed it into video packages. This editorial collaboration helped translate criminal justice research into accessible video content for wider audiences.
• The InterceptminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAJ+ has collaborated with The Intercept to amplify their stories and reach new audiences through innovative editorial partnerships.
• Africa is a CountryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAJ+ has collaborated with Africa is a Country to amplify their stories and reach new audiences through innovative editorial partnerships.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NowThis: NowThis is a social-first video news publisher targeting Gen Z audiences across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook—directly comparable to AJ+ in format, distribution strategy, and target demographic.
• ATTN: ATTN: was a social-first video media company producing short-form explainer and issue-driven content for millennial and Gen Z audiences on social platforms—closely matching AJ+'s format, audience, and mission-driven editorial approach.
• The Young Turks (TYT): TYT is a progressive digital news network producing video journalism and commentary distributed primarily through YouTube and social platforms—directly comparable to AJ+ in social-first political news targeting younger audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Vice Media: Vice was a large digital media company producing video journalism and documentary content for young adult audiences globally—overlapping with AJ+ in social-first video news and documentary production, though operating as a broader lifestyle/news portfolio.
• Vox: Vox produces explanatory journalism and video content (including explainer series) targeting digitally native audiences—comparable to AJ+ in social-first explainer video format and mission to make complex global issues accessible.
• Al Jazeera English: Al Jazeera English is the parent network's broadcast news channel producing international journalism from a non-Western perspective—comparable to AJ+ in editorial positioning, ownership, and global coverage, though distributed through traditional broadcast and digital.

Others

• AJ+ Arabic: AJ+ Arabic is the sister Arabic-language operation of AJ+ English, sharing the same editorial model, Al Jazeera parent, and Global South lens—directly comparable but operating in a different language and regional market.

Emerging players

• Middle East Eye: Middle East Eye is an independent digital news outlet covering Middle East and North Africa with a social-first video strategy—comparable to AJ+ in editorial focus on marginalized narratives and social platform distribution.
• AJ Impact (Rest of World): Rest of World covers technology, business, and culture from a Global South/non-Western perspective—aligning with AJ+'s editorial mission to amplify underrepresented narratives for global digital audiences.
• Democracy Now!: Democracy Now! produces independent progressive news and investigative video content distributed via YouTube and social platforms—comparable to AJ+ in mission-driven journalism and direct-to-audience social distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ajplus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ajplus/featured
• Instagraminstagram.com/ajplus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ajplus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AJ+