CNN
The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by
Ted Turner. It is a division of the
Turner Broadcasting System, owned by
Time Warner. CNN introduced the idea of 24-hour television news coverage, and celebrated its 25th anniversary on June 1, 2005.
In terms of cumulative Nielsen ratings, CNN rates as America's #1 cable news network; however, it is surpassed by the
Fox News Channel in long-term viewers . CNN broadcasts primarily from its headquarters at the
CNN Center in
Atlanta, and from studios in
New York City and
Washington, DC.
Encyclopedia
The
Cable News Network, commonly known as
CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by
Ted Turner. It is a division of the
Turner Broadcasting System, owned by
Time Warner. CNN introduced the idea of 24-hour television news coverage, and celebrated its 25th anniversary on June 1, 2005.
In terms of cumulative Nielsen ratings, CNN rates as America's #1 cable news network; however, it is surpassed by the
Fox News Channel in long-term viewers . CNN broadcasts primarily from its headquarters at the
CNN Center in
Atlanta, and from studios in
New York City and
Washington, DC. As of December 2004, it is available in 88.2 million U.S. households and more than 890,000 American hotel rooms. The U.S version of CNN is also shown in
Canada. Globally, the network airs through
CNN International and has combined branded networks and services that are available to more than 1.5 billion people in over 212 countries and territories.
History
Since CNN's launch on June 1, 1980, the network has expanded its reach to a number of cable and satellite television networks , 12 web sites, two private place-based networks , and two
radio networks. The network has 42 bureaus around the world and more than 900 affiliates worldwide. CNN has launched many regional and foreign-language networks around the world. CNN debuted its news website
CNN.com on August 30, 1995.
A television movie,
Live from Baghdad, was later made about the network's coverage of the first gulf war. Coverage of this and other conflicts and crises of the early 1990s led to the coining of the term "the CNN effect", which testified to the perceived impact its pioneering
real time, 24 hour news coverage had in influencing the decision-making processes of the
American government.
CNN is still, however, second in world rankings when it comes to international news coverage, getting just over half of the audience the BBC does, perhaps due to its relative youth compared to the oldest largest news and broadcasting institution in the world. The BBC, known for its impartiality and unbiased reporting, differs from CNN International which uses local reporters in many of its news-gathering centers, although they cover stories from an international perspective.
On September 11, 2001, CNN was the first network to break news of what would prove to be the September 11 attacks.
Anchor Carol Lin was on the air at that time. Sean Murtagh, CNN vice-president for finance & administration, was the first network employee to get on the air.
CNN launched two specialty news channels for the American market which would later close amid competitive pressure:
CNNSI shut down in 2002, and
CNNfn shut down after nine years on the air in December 2004.
Jim Walton is the president of CNN Worldwide. The current
President of CNN/U.S. is Jonathan Klein. He was appointed in November 2004.
Trivia
The most famous station ID is a five-second musical jingle with
James Earl Jones' simple but classic line,
"This is CNN." Jones' voice can still be heard today in updated station IDs.
The most widely-used slogan at time of writing is
"The Most Trusted Name In News" as compared to
Fox News' slogan
"The Most Powerful Name In News" Fox retaliated with a new slogan usually used at the end of
The Fox Report is a fast-paced American [i] nightly news [i] program on Fox News Channel [i] ...
"The News Channel More Americans Trust... Period."On March 21, 2006, the Gallup polling company dropped CNN as its outlet for electronic distribution, due in part to CNN's lower ratings.
CNN has also been
parodied. Many movies outside of the Turner Broadcasting Network also mention CNN in their storylines. In the video game
Desert Strike, CNN is parodied by calling the news station,
EANN, with the EA standing for the video game company's name,
Electronic Arts.
Current shows
- American Morning is the flagship morning television show [i] on CNN [i]. It pre ...
- The network's morning news program, airing from 6-10 a.m. ET. Hosted by former NBC News anchor Soledad O'Brien and Miles O'Brien. Carol Costello provides news updates. - CNN Newsroom is an American [i] television [i] news [i] program on CNNUS [i].
...
- A daily look at what's making news, airing live from Atlanta. Block 1 airs from 10 a.m. ET - 12 p.m. ET and is anchored by Heidi Collins and Tony Harris. Block 2 airs from 1 p.m. ET to 4 p.m. ET and is anchored by
Kyra Phillips and Don Lemon, and on weekends by
Betty Nguyen and TJ Holmes 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET, Fredricka Whitfield 12-6 p.m. ET and
Carol Lin 6-11 p.m. ET.
- Your World Today - Airs daily on CNN from 12 Noon - 1 PM ET. Your World Today is a CNN International show, and has much more indepth coverage of international issues and news than are normally offered on American televsion.
- The Situation Room is an afternoon/early evening newscast on CNN [i] hosted by Wolf Blitzer [i] that ...
- A fast-paced look at the day's top stories, focusing on politics and homeland security. Anchored by Wolf Blitzer. Airs weekdays from 4-6 p.m. ET and from 7-8 p.m. ET. - Lou Dobbs Tonight is an editorial and discussion program on CNN [i], anchored by journalist Lou Dobbs [i] ...
- A nightly news and discussion program airing live at 6 p.m. ET weeknights; evolved from Moneyline, a nightly business newscast. - Paula Zahn Now - A look at the current issues affecting the world, with former CBS and Fox News anchor Paula Zahn. Airing at 8 p.m. ET weeknights.
- Larry King Live is a nightly CNN [i] interview program hosted by broadcaster and writer Larry King [i] ...
- A nightly talk program that airs daily at 9 p.m. ET and reruns 12 a.m.-1 a.m. ET. - Anderson Cooper 360° - A fast-paced, nightly news program with former ABC News reporter Anderson Cooper. Airs weekdays from 10 p.m.-12 a.m. ET, and reruns 1 a.m.-3 a.m. ET.
- Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer - CNN's political talk show, similar to CBS' Face the Nation is an American [i] Sunday-morning politcal interview show [i] ...
or NBC's Meet the Press is a weekly American [i] television [i] news show produced by NBC [i]. ...
. Airs from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. EST on Sundays. - CNN Saturday Morning/CNN Sunday Morning - The network's weekend morning news program, airing 7-10 a.m. ET. Anchored by Betty Nguyen and TJ Holmes.
- CNN Presents is an American [i] documentary [i] program on ...
- A program featuring various documentaries and productions. Airs on weekends. - House Call - A medically oriented program, hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Airs on weekends.
- This Week at War is a weekly program focusing on that week's news on the Middle East [i] wars, in ad ...
- An inside look at the week's developments in the war on terror from CNN correspondents. Airs on weekends and is hosted by John Roberts.
Former shows
- Both Sides with Jesse Jackson - A political talk show, hosted by the civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, that aired Sundays. The show ran from 1992 to 2000.
- The Capital Gang - One of cable news' longest running programs, focusing on political news. Original panelists included Pat Buchanan, Al Hunt, Mark Shields, and Robert Novak. When Buchanan left the network to run for president, Margaret Carlson and then Kate O'Beirne became regular panelists. The Capital Gang aired Saturday nights at 7 p.m. ET from 1988 to 2005.
- Crossfire - A political debate program, consisting of views from left-wing and right-wing ideologies, that aired during prime time and daytime until mid-2005. Former hosts included Robert Novak, Tucker Carlson, James Carville, Paul Begala, Pat Buchanan, Geraldine Ferraro, Bay Buchanan, and Donna Brazile. Crossfire was discontinued in 2005, with Klein denouncing the show as "just two men screaming at each other."
- Next@CNN - A scientific and technology oriented program hosted by Daniel Sieberg. Aired on weekends. Despite its cancellation on CNN in the U.S., the show continues to air new episodes on CNN International.
- Inside Politics is an afternoon/early evening newscast on CNN [i] hosted by Wolf Blitzer [i] that ...
- A political program that aired from 3:30–5 p.m. ET weekdays. Replaced by The Situation Room is an afternoon/early evening newscast on CNN [i] hosted by Wolf Blitzer [i] that ...
in 2005. - Wolf Blitzer Reports - A daily look at the day's stories that aired live from Washington at 5 p.m. ET. Replaced by The Situation Room is an afternoon/early evening newscast on CNN [i] hosted by Wolf Blitzer [i] that ...
in 2005. - NewsNight With Aaron Brown - A hard-news program anchored by Aaron Brown which took an in-depth look at the main U.S. and international stories of the day. Was axed from CNN's schedule on November 5, 2005, leading to Brown's immediate resignation from the network.
- CNN Daybreak was an early morning [i] news [i] television program [i] on CNN [i], anchored from New York [i] ...
- A first look at the day's stories that aired live from New York at 5 a.m. ET. - CNN Sports Sunday - The first program on CNN. June 1, 1980. Co-anchored by Bob Kurtz and Nick Charles.
- Connie Chung Tonight -- Hosted by Connie Chung. Cancelled in March 2003.
- Freeman Reports - one of the original programs from 1980. Host Sonja Freeman interviewed guests and took live telephone call-ins regarding current news events and other topics of interest. For a brief period the program featured a live audience in Atlanta.
- People Now - another original program. Host Lee Leonard interviewed celebrities and discussed entertainment news in a one hour program live from the CNN Los Angeles bureau.
- Computer Connection
- Future Watch
- Your Health
- Style with Elsa Clench - weekly half hour on Saturday mornings featuring news on style and fashion.
- Talk Back Live - A call-in talk show with a live audience hosted most recently by Arthel Neville. Aired from 1994 to 2003.
- On the Story' '- CNN's interactive "week-in-review" series featuring an in-depth look at the story behind some of the week's biggest stories. Anchored by Ali Velshi. However, the show was suspended in June 2006, later cancelled in July.
- Burden of Proof and Roger Cossack.
- Newsstand
- Newshour
- Sonya / Sonya Live In LA - A weekday call-in show airing at 1PM Eastern in the late 80's & Early 90s hosted by Dr. Sonya Friedman.
- CNN Live Today - Was a daily look at what's making news, airing live from Atlanta at 10 a.m. ET on weekdays. Anchored by Daryn Kagan.
- Live From... - A lively look at the day's stories airing live from Atlanta at 1 p.m. ET. Anchored by Kyra Phillips.
- CNN Live Saturday / CNN Live Sunday - A look at what's making news on the weekends, airing live from Atlanta. Anchored by Fredricka Whitfield 12:00-6:00pm and Carol Lin 6:00-11:00pm.
- CNN Saturday Night/CNN Sunday Night - The network's weekend evening news program, airing at 6 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET. Anchored by Carol Lin.
Specialized channels
Personalities
Present
Past
Bureaus
- Note: Boldface indicates that they are CNN's original bureaus, meaning they have been in operation since the network's founding.
United States
Worldwide
