PASADENA, Calif. – The Al Jazeera America cable news network said Wednesday it will shut down two and a half years after its launch, a victim of a rough business environment and political headwinds it could not conquer.

The channel, an offshoot of the Qatar-based Al Jazeera cable network, had trouble persuading cable and satellite companies to carry it, and viewers to watch. It failed despite a promise to offer serious-minded journalism and some award-winning work.

The cable network will shut down on April 30. It launched in October 2013.

Al Anstey, CEO of Al Jazeera America, said the economic climate for media forced the decision. “Al Jazeera America is committed to conducting this process in a way that is consistent with its respect for colleagues,” Anstey said.