CNN
The Cable News Network, usually referred to as CNN, is a cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld [1] [2] (although the latter is not currently recognized in CNN's official history). It is a division of the Turner Broadcasting System, owned by Time Warner. CNN introduced the concept 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 falls short to Fox News in long-term viewers; the network is the most-watched 24-hour news network in the world. 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 U.S. hotel rooms. Globally, the network 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 (such as CNN Headline News), 12 web sites, two private place-based networks (such as CNN Airport Network), 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 (then referred to as CNN Interactive) on August 30, 1995.
CNN's global reputation was greatly enhanced in 1991 during the Gulf War, where its saturation coverage was carried around the world. It obtained much of that coverage through close cooperation with the U.S. government, which led to accusations that it did not attempt to investigate the claims of the U.S. government during the war. A television movie, Live from Baghdad, was later made about the network's coverage of the war. Coverage of this and other conflicts and crises of the early 1990s (including, perhaps most famously, the Battle of Mogadishu) 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 International now provides regional editions of its news service, in response to foreign demand for less U.S.-centric news coverage, and also rival services such as BBC World and Sky News. It uses local reporters in many of its news-gathering centers, though they cover stories from an international (some would still say U.S.) 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.
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.
CNN has also been parodied. See for instance, Groland and CNNNN. Many movies outside of the Turner Broadcasting Network also mention CNN in their storylines. Ted Turner doesn't mind as long as they don't use CNN for promotional purposes or for malicious use.
The most famous station ID is a five-second musical jingle with James Earl Jones's simple but classic line, "This is CNN." Jones' voice can still be heard today in updated station IDs.
The term "CNNing" is sometimes used to refer to how television news has become "news entertainment" by focusing on celebrity, ratings, storylines, and spectacle, as well as on its own authority and corporate-related products and features.
Management
The current President of CNN/U.S. is Jonathan Klein. He was appointed in November 2004.
CNN shows
Current CNN shows
American Morning - The network's morning news program, airing from 6-10am ET. Hosted by former NBC News anchor Soledad O'Brien and Miles O'Brien. Carol Costello provides news updates.
The Situation Room- A fast-paced look at the day's top stories, focusing on politics and homeland security. Anchored by Wolf Blitzer. Airs weekdays from 4-6pm ET and from 7-8 pm ET.
Lou Dobbs Tonight - A nightly news and discussion program airing live at 6pm 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 8pm ET weeknights.
Larry King Live - A nightly talk program that airs daily at 9pm ET and reruns 12am-1am ET.
Anderson Cooper 360° - A fast-paced, nightly news program with former ABC News reporter Anderson Cooper. Airs weekdays from 10pm-12am ET, and reruns 1am-3am ET.
Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer - CNN's political talk show, similar to CBS's "Face the Nation" or NBC's "Meet the Press." Airs from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST on Sundays.
CNN Live Today / CNN Live Saturday / CNN Live Sunday - A daily look at what's making news airing live from Atlanta at 10am ET on weekdays and various times on the weekends. Hosted by Daryn Kagan on weekdays and Fredricka Whitfield on weekends.
Live From... - A lively look at the day's stories airing live from Atlanta at 1pm ET. Hosted by Kyra Phillips.
CNN Saturday Morning/CNN Sunday Morning - The network's weekend morning news program, airing at 7am ET. Hosted by Betty Nguyen and Tony Harris.
CNN Saturday Night/CNN Sunday Night - The network's weekend evening news program, airing at 6pm ET and 10pm ET. Hosted by Carol Lin.
CNN Presents - A program that hosts various documentaries and productions. Airs on weekends.
House Call - A medically oriented program, hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Airs on weekends.
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.
Former CNN shows
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 7pm ET from 1988 to 2005.
Crossfire - A political debate program, consisting of views from left-wing and right-wing ideologies, that aired during primetime 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.
Next@CNN - A scientific and technology oriented program hosted by Daniel Sieberg. Aired on weekends. Despite its cancellation on CNN in the US, the show continues to air new episodes on CNN International. Inside Politics - A political program that aired from 3:30-5pm ET weekdays.
Wolf Blitzer Reports - A daily look at the day's stories that aired live from
Washington at 5pm ET. 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 5th, 2005, leading to Brown's immediate resignation from the network.
CNN Daybreak - A first look at the day's stories that aired live from New York at 5am ET.
CNN specialized channels
CNN Airport Network
CNN en Espanol
CNNfn (Financial network, closed in December 2004)
CNN Headline News
CNN International
CNN Pipeline (24-hour multi-channel broadband online news service)
CNN Plus (CNN+, a partner network in Spain, launched in 1999 with Sogecable)
CNN Sports Illustrated (a.k.a. CNNSI), the network's all-sports channel, closed in 2002.
CNN Turk
CNN personalities
Past
Natalie Allen
Peter Arnett
Sharyl Attkisson
Rudi Bakhtiar
Bobbie Battista
Ralph Begleiter
Jason Bellini
Rym Brahimi
Aaron Brown
Pat Buchanan
Tucker Carlson
Joie Chen
Connie Chung
Wesley Clark
Reid Collins
Chris Curle
Don Farmer
Nick Gregory
Leon Harris
Lois Hart
James Hattori
Bill Hemmer
Maria Hinojosa
John Holliman
Lawrence Kudlow
Tumi Makgabo
Miguel Marquez
Jim Moret
Robert Novak
Christina Park
Veronica Pedrosa
Dallas Reines
Susan Rook
Sonia Ruseler
Lynne Russell
Martin Savidge
Daniel Schorr
Bella Shaw
Bernard Shaw
Flip Spiceland
Kathleen Sullivan
Greta Van Susteren
Dave Walker
Lou Waters
Mary Alice Williams
Judy Woodruff
Present
Christiane Amanpour
Becky Anderson
Brooke Anderson
Guillermo Arduino
Kelli Arena
Jane Arraf
Terry Baddoo
Dana Bash
Paul Begala
Todd Benjamin
Satinder Bindra
Jim Bittermann
Wolf Blitzer
Jim Boulden
Andrew Brown
Josie Burke
Chris Burns
Diego Bustos
Sean Callebs
Jack Cafferty
Catherine Callaway
Susan Candiotti
Margaret Carlson
Jason Carroll
James Carville
Matthew Chance
Allan Chernoff
Ryan Chilcote
Mike Chinoy
Alina Cho
Rosemary Church
Jim Clancy
Elizabeth Cohen
Heidi Collins
Anderson Cooper
Carol Costello
Candy Crowley
Veronica De La Cruz
Lou Dobbs
Deborah Feyerick
Tom Foreman
Liz George
Hala Gorani
Jeff Greenfield
Sanjay Gupta
Thelma Gutierrez
Mike Hanna
Tony Harris
Erica Hill
Michael Holmes
Al Hunt
Jacqui Jeras
Daryn Kagan
Mallika Kapur
John King
Larry King
Jeff Koinange
Andrea Koppel
Howard Kurtz
Maggie Lake
Ed Lavandera
Chris Lawrence
Carol Lin
Dan Lothian
Suzanne Malveaux
Jonathan Mann
Rob Marciano
David Mattingly
Jamie McIntyre
Jeanne Meserve
Ana Maria Montero
Jeanne Moos
Chad Myers
Octavia E. Nasr
Betty Nguyen
Robin Oakley
Kate O'Beirne
Miles O'Brien
Soledad O'Brien
Karl Penhaul
Kyra Phillips
Kitty Pilgrim
Richard Quest
Anjali Rao
Hugh Rimington
Nic Robertson
Christine Romans
Richard Roth
Ted Rowlands
Brent Sadler
Rick Sanchez
Jacki Schechner
Bill Schneider
Andrew Serwer
Mark Shields
Atika Shubert
Daniel Sieberg
Mary Snow
Barbara Starr
Lisa Sylvester
Abbi Tatton
Jeffrey Toobin
Gary Tuchman
Adaora Udoji
Alphonso Van Marsh
Sibila Vargas
John Vause
Ali Velshi
Zain Verjee
Alessio Vinci
Kelly Wallace
Carlos Watson
Ben Wedeman
Harris Whitbek
Fredricka Whitfield
Gerri Willis
Kareen Wynter
Eunice Yoon
Paula Zahn
John Zarrella
CNN Bureaus within United States
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Detroit
Los Angeles
Miami
New Orleans (opened in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina)
New York City
San Francisco
Washington, DC
Seattle (Closed Q1, 2005)
CNN Bureaus outside United States
Baghdad, IraqBerlin, Germany
Beijing, China
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cairo, Egypt
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Havana, Cuba
Hong Kong, China
Islamabad, Pakistan
Jakarta, Indonesia
Jerusalem, Israel
Kabul, Afghanistan
Lagos, Nigeria
London, United Kingdom
Mexico City, Mexico
Moscow, Russia
Nairobi, Kenya
New Delhi, India
Paris, France
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rome, Italy
Santiago, Chile
Seoul, South Korea
Similar networks
The CNN format has been replicated by other cable news services (year of launch in parentheses):
ABC News Now (2004)
ABS-CBN News Channel (1994)
Al-Arabiya (2003)
Al Jazeera (1996)
BBC News 24 (1997)
BBC World (1995)
CBC Newsworld (1989)
CBS Telenoticias (no longer a news network; known as Telemundo Internacional since 2000)
CNBC (1989)
CNN Airport Network (1992)
CNN en Espanol (1997)
CNNfn (1995; closed 2004)
CNN Headline News (1982)
CNN International (1985)
CNN Pipeline (2005)
CNN Plus (1999)
CNN/SI (CNN/Sports Illustrated) (1996; closed 2002)
CNN Turk
Court TV (1991)
ESPNEWS (1996)
Euronews (1993)
Fox News Channel (1996)
ITV News Channel (2000; closed 2005)
LCI (1994)
MSNBC (1996)
Noticias ECO (1988; closed 2001)
Satellite News Channel (1982; acquired by CNN and closed in 1983)
Sky News (1989)
TVE Canal 24 Horas
TVN24 (2001)
The Weather Channel (1982)
Despite its achievements in pioneering the first 24-hour news channel, CNN has not been immune from criticism in its production of news programming.See CNN controversies and allegations of bias.