CNN

Cable News Network, Inc., known as CNN, is an American news media company and the main channel of CNN Worldwide, part of Warner Bros. Discovery. It was started on June 1, 1980, by media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, CNN was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage all the time.

As of December 2023, CNN reached about 69 million homes in the United States. In June 2021, it was the third most-watched cable news channel, behind Fox News and MS NOW. It is also watched in over 212 countries and areas through CNN International. In some places, like India and Japan, CNN works with local partners to bring news to viewers.

History

Main article: History of CNN

CNN began its broadcast on June 1, 1980, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The first news show was led by David Walker and Lois Hart, with Ted Turner introducing the channel. Burt Reinhardt, a top leader at CNN, chose the first 200 workers, including Bernard Shaw, the first news anchor, who previously worked for ABC News.

Since then, CNN has grown to reach many TV providers, websites, and special channels like CNN Airport. It now has 42 news offices around the world, over 900 local stations that share its news, and several networks in different languages. The success of CNN helped Ted Turner become very wealthy and led to Time Warner eventually buying the company in 1996.

Programming

See also: List of programs broadcast by CNN

Current schedule

CNN shows news and information programs throughout the day. In the mornings, it starts with a show called CNN This Morning. During the day, it has rolling news coverage called CNN News Central. Evenings feature special news and political discussions. Prime time shows include Erin Burnett OutFront, Anderson Cooper 360°, and The Source with Kaitlan Collins.

On weekends, the schedule changes. There is a morning show called CNN This Morning Weekend, followed by discussions and news programs. Weekend afternoons have more news coverage, and evenings feature special documentaries and films.

Past programming

In the past, CNN tried different types of shows to attract more viewers. It made documentary series about past decades, like The Sixties. It also had shows like Anderson Cooper 360° and Parts Unknown. These shows helped bring in many viewers.

On-air presentation

CNN upgraded its broadcasts to high definition in 2007. Over the years, it has changed its graphics and design many times. In 2023, it updated its look again, using new colors and layouts. In 2024, CNN hosted a major presidential debate that many people watched.

Staff

Main article: List of CNN personnel

In 2012, CNN president Jim Walton announced he was leaving after 30 years, and Jeff Zucker took over in 2013. In early 2022, Zucker also left, and Chris Licht became the next president later that year. Licht’s time as president ended in 2023, and Mark Thompson took over as CEO in October 2023.

In July 2024, CNN announced it would reduce its workforce by about one hundred people, which is around 3% of its total staff. The company also planned to combine its US, international, and digital news teams into one group. At that time, CNN had about 3,500 people working around the world.

Other platforms

CNN launched its website, CNN.com, on August 30, 1995. It grew to become one of the most popular news websites in the world. The site has been shaped by blogs, social media, and content created by users.

In April 2009, CNN.com was ranked third among online news sites in the US. In 2008, the site faced attacks from hackers but took steps to protect itself.

CNN has created many digital projects. In 2006, it started CNN iReport, where people could share photos and videos of news events. In 2017, CNN launched CNNVR to bring news stories to virtual reality. The network also offers podcasts, RSS feeds, and a YouTube channel.

In 2021, CNN’s digital platforms had over 144 million visitors in the US, making it the most viewed digital news outlet.

The network also hosts CNN 10, a short daily video show for students and teachers, available on its website and YouTube.

Other channels

Over the years, CNN has started many news channels in the United States and other countries. Some channels that are still running include:

• CNN Brazil – a news channel in Brazil that began on March 15, 2020.
• CNN Chile – a news channel in Chile that began on December 4, 2008.
• CNN en Español
• CNN International
• CNN Türk – a news channel in Turkey.
• CNN-News18 – a news channel in India.
• CNN Indonesia – a news channel in Indonesia that began on August 17, 2015.
• CNNj – a news channel in Japan
• CNN Prima News – a news channel in the Czech Republic that began on May 3, 2020.
• A2 CNN – a news channel in Albania
• Antena 3 CNN – a news channel in Romania.
• HLN – a cable channel in the United States.
• CNN Portugal – a news channel in Portugal that began on November 22, 2021.
• CNN Headlines – a channel with quick news stories, available on TV services like Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten TV, LG Channels, and Pluto TV.

CNN has also tried other channels that are no longer running, such as CNN Airport, CNN Checkout Channel, CNN-D, CNN Italia, CNN Pipeline, CNN Sports Illustrated, CNN+, CNN.com Live, CNNfn, CNN Max, CNN Money Switzerland, CNN Philippines, and Great Big Story.

Bureaus

CNN has offices in many cities around the world. In the United States, some of these cities include Atlanta, Georgia, New York City, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C..

Worldwide, CNN also has offices in places such as London, Paris, Tokyo, Beijing, and Mexico City. When CNN does not have an office in a certain area, they use reports from local news stations to share stories.

Controversies and criticisms

Since it started in 1980, CNN has faced many debates and criticisms. It is famous for showing live news events, but sometimes people think it makes stories sound more exciting than they are.

CNN says it is fair and trustworthy, but some people think it favors one side more than the other. Studies have shown that CNN often gives more time to guests who support liberal ideas, especially during the time when Donald Trump was president.

There have also been some legal issues. In 2020, CNN settled a lawsuit with a student named Nick Sandmann after a disagreement over an event in Washington, D.C. Additionally, in recent years, some hosts like Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon have left the network under different circumstances.

During certain conflicts, like the war between Israel and Hamas, some workers at CNN have said the news coverage did not represent all sides fairly.

Awards and honors

CNN has received many awards for its important work. In 1998, it was given the Four Freedoms Award for Freedom of Speech. In 2017, CNN won a special prize at the Monte Carlo TV Festival for a documentary about sea pollution. In 2018, the network earned several awards, including a George Polk Award for uncovering important news stories and six Emmy Awards for different types of news coverage. In 2019, CNN received a Walter Cronkite Award for an event about important community discussions. In 2020, two CNN projects won Peabody Awards. In 2021, CNN won another George Polk Award for reporting on health news in China.