CNN, Al-Jazeera Team Up To Create "Death Channel"

Buoyed by high ratings for Al-Qaeda video of an unidentified, blindfolded man about to executed by AK-47 on a busy city street, CNN spokesman Neil Butterman told a hastily assembled Atlanta news conference that his network and Arabic TV network Al-Jazeera had finalized plans to launch a new "Death Channel" available as a basic tier cable purchase throughout the U.S.

"We're the world leader in news," Butterman explained, "and al-Jazeera is the world leader in the provision of video of executions, violence, and mass killings. Partnering makes great economic sense. Together, we're better."

The new Death Channel will feature live al-Jazeera feeds and will be marketed with the slogans "All Death, All the Time" and "The Most Trusted Leader in Death."

"We're very excited about this new offfering," Butterman said. "Obviously, we here at CNN have enormous respect for human life. But ratings are ratings."

Butterman said that many other cable hosts will be pressed into service to narrate programs on the new channel. Jim Kramer, host of Mad Money, will preseent "Making a Killing on Wall Street." Larry King, host of "Larry King Live," will host "Larry King Dead." Wolf Blitzer will interview survivors of bombings and assassination attempts on a new program to be entitled "The Triage Room."

"Our biggest desire is to have Keith Olbermann on the new channel," Butterman said. "Dead or alive."