Saturday, January 29, 2005
Coverage Of The Coverage/CNN-International Simulcast Begins Earlier Than Expected
I will be blogging coverage of the coverage.(at least the first couple of hours anyway)
The simulcast of CNN-International coverage of the Iraq elections On CNN-US began a couple of hours earlier than what the program schedule said it would. Colleen McEdwards anchored the coverage as the polls opened at 11p.m. eastern. and Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour presented the first report from Baghdad as the polls were opening. Other CNN correspondents filing reports early in the coverage included Jane Arraf and Nic Robertson.
HERE's an easy to read program schedule for the rest of the weekend.
There's an enormous amount of info available on CNN.com about the Iraqi elections: Iraq: Transition of Power
UPDATE 11:30p.m. eastern- Just when you start applauding CNN's programming decisions they throw a curve at ya. CNN-US has went back to the regular schedule, airing a repeat of a repeat. Even the Anderson Cooper LIVE stand up was a repeat as he is saying "Polls open in a matter of hours." Next hour we get to see the REPEAT of a REPEAT of Larry King Live. I ask this, what's more important here, delivering the NEWS or making sure we fullfill a contract obligation to Larry King to have his face plastered on the screen for an hour?
UPDATE 12:00a.m. eastern- CNN-I anchors Monita Rajpal and Charles Hodson are anchoring coverage at this time. Now we just wait and see if CNN-US breaks away for the very important repeat of Larry King Live.
UPDATE 12:30a.m. eastern- Knock me down and call me Sally! The LKL rerun has been pre-empted for NEWS coverage of the Iraqi election.
UPDATE 01:30a.m. eastern- Well,CNN-I coverage continues on CNN-US and it's now bedtime for me!
# posted by ATN @ 11:23 PM 
Welcome Back!
CNN Fan is reporting CNN-International anchor Rosemary Church is back from maternity leave and was at the anchor desk Saturday. Church had been on maternity leave since late last year after giving birth to twins.
# posted by ATN @ 1:57 PM
'Hard News OR Newstainment' Poll Results
The results are in and here are the results: 29 blog readers OR 54.7 percent, say they prefer Hard News programs while 24 blog readers, OR 45.3 percent say they perfer News Talk programs. Look for a new poll soon!
# posted by ATN @ 1:26 PM
HLN Anchor On The Mothership
Looks as though HLN anchor Rudi Bakhtiar is filling in for Fredricka Whitfield today on CNN-US. Bakhtiar has been anchoring one of the weekend shifts on HLN since returning back to the air following a nearly 2 month leave of absence. Pic from TV Heads
# posted by ATN @ 12:08 PM
Friday, January 28, 2005
Former CNN Reporter Claims Unfair Dismissal
Source: Media Guardian Former CNN reporter/producer Elena Cosentino claims CNN unfairly dismissed her. Cosentino worked for CNN for six years before being dismissed in March 2004. Cosentino is seeking £190,000 compensation.
In a hearing Friday, Cosentino claimed she was given an "ultimatum" by bosses to return to her day job while she was still medically signed off work following the death of her fiance. Cosentino told an industrial tribunal she felt under "constant, constant pressure" to return to work despite suffering from clinical depression after her fiance's death in July 2002.
Under cross-examination from Gavin Mansfield, representing CNN, Ms Cosentino said she had been visited by her immediate boss prior to Christmas 2002 and told that she either had to return to work before a January 15 date stipulated on her doctor's note or face the prospect of losing her job.
"I was completely distraught at the time and he came and said if you don't come back before Christmas we will give your job permanently to someone else," Cosentino said.
Mr Mansfield denied the claim, saying that Mr Nathenson had merely enquired as to "how you felt about coming back and helping out on the show".
The case continues next week.
# posted by ATN @ 8:49 PM
'CNN Presents' Wins UNDPI Award
Source: PRNewswire The United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) presented four special awards at the New York Festival's annual international Television Programming Awards in Manhattan Friday night.
The UNDPI Bronze Award went to CNN Productions in Atlanta, Georgia for 'CNN Presents: Easy Prey: Inside The Child Sex Trade', a shocking investigation into an illegal traffic in Europe.
# posted by ATN @ 8:10 PM
Conflicting Program Schedules/Iraq Election Coverage Schedule
The weekend is upon us and time for the Iraqi elections and special coverage on CNN. And that brings up this: CNN is promoting on air and on the schedule at CNN.com, Larry King Live on Saturday will be a re-run of the Ed McMahon and Doc Severinsen interview that aired on Monday night while a press release says a special edition of Larry King Live dealing with the Iraqi elections will air at 9 p.m. Saturday night. I guess we'll have to wait and see which one airs.
Hey there is good news, CNN-International Iraqi election coverage is scheduled to be simulcast on CNN-US overnight Saturday/early Sunday morning. CNN-I coverage is scheduled to begin at 1a.m. eastern and continue until 7a.m.eastern. CNN-International is also scheduled to air overnight Sunday/early Monday morning. CNN-I is set to air from 1.a.m until 3a.m. and again from 4a.m. until 5a.m. on CNN-US.
Here's programming info about Iraqi election coverage on CNN:
On Saturday, Jan. 29, a special edition of Capital Gang airs at 7 p.m., following by CNN Presents at 8 p.m., a special edition of Larry King Live at 9 p.m. and an hour of anchored coverage by Amanpour.
For the day of the elections, Sunday, Jan. 30, a full slate of live programming focused on the elections begins at noon with Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. A special three-hour edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight follows at 4 p.m. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and again at 10 p.m., CNN offers special live Iraqi election reports with Amanpour and Cooper in Iraq and Brown and Zahn in New York. A special edition of Larry King Live starts at 9 p.m.
# posted by ATN @ 3:08 PM
Danger Part Of Job For Cooper
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Anderson Cooper says security concerns can't get in the way of covering Sunday's Iraqi elections."You can't help but be here and feel under threat," CNN's current go-to guy says during a phone call from Baghdad on Thursday. "You try not to let that overwhelm you. "Armor-plated glass protects, but it also distorts."
Cooper was due to arrive in the Iraqi capital Monday, but insurgent fire prevented his plane from landing. Twice."As we did a corkscrew landing, spiraling over the airport to avoid getting hit, we had to abort our landing," he recalls.
It was Tuesday before he was able to get on the ground - and then take the dangerous ride from the airport into the city. CNN is based in a residential area of the city, outside the fortified Green Zone. MORE
# posted by ATN @ 10:09 AM
Where Are They Now
Today we feature Scott Engler. Engler worked for CNN in New York beginning in 1994 and eventually made his way to CNN in Atlanta where he served as both an International Sports Anchor and News anchor on a fill-in basis. From CNN Engler went to KCPQ in Seattle, Washington and established himself on the west coast where he co-anchored the Ten O'Clock News. Engler also worked on the nationally syndicated show "Business Week-Money Talks" and has also worked at WABC-TV in New York. What's Scott doing now? He serves as co-anchor of the 'News at Ten' at WPHL, WB17 in Philadelphia.
# posted by ATN @ 10:08 AM
Thursday, January 27, 2005
'ON The Story' Moved, 'IP Sunday' Canceled
With the announcement yesterday that Dolans Unscripted and Open House will be airing on Saturday mornings beginning February 5th, CNN Fan is reporting the all female news discussion program On The Story will be moved to Sundays at 10am. CNN Fan also reports Inside Politics Sunday will be canceled to accommodate the hour long program.
UPDATE: In a press release from the network Lucy Spiegel, CNN vice president and senior executive producer of the network’s weekend public affairs programming says, “On the Story is a perfect opportunity to showcase the experience and knowledge of our female correspondents, the program fits nicely into CNN’s Sunday lineup of public affairs programming.”
In 2004, On the Story received a Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Public Affairs Program from the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television.
# posted by ATN @ 4:35 PM
Tsunami Focus Of O'Brien Speech at Penn State
Source: The Digital Collegian Soledad O'Brien spoke to students at Penn State Wednesday night as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series. O'Brien spoke about the emotions she faced covering the disaster.
O'Brien said the most difficult part of covering the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster came after the interviews and reporting had ended. "I'd spend three very intense hours reporting," she said. "When I'm doing an interview, I focus on the story; I have a goal. It's not hard ... until I'm done." The hardest part, O'Brien said, were the nights she reflected on the things she had seen earlier that day. "It was very tough ... I would cry all night," she said.
O'Brien was among a handful of CNN anchors sent to Phuket, Thailand to cover the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.
Read the complete article HERE.
# posted by ATN @ 8:14 AM
CNN-I To Air Highlights Of Tsunami Benefit
Source: CNN Press Release CNN is partnering with MTV to help raise awareness for the continued need to support relief efforts in Tsunami-battered South Asia. CNN will be producing a series of exclusive reports for MTV's Asia Aid benefit concert to be held in Bangkok on February 3. CNN will also produce a one-hour special from behind-the-scenes, which is aimed at generating donations for UNICEF and several local charities.
"CNN is proud to partner with MTV for such an important cause," says Rena Golden, senior vice president, CNN International. "We, the media, need to work together to help maintain the world's attention on reconstruction needs, and the difficult process of healing for the people around the Indian Ocean."
The MTV benefit concert will feature musical performances from Alicia Keys, Good Charlotte, Kelly Clarkston and top Asian acts like Tata Young and Asha Bhosle. Jennifer Lopez, Sting, Nelly, 50 Cent and Ricky Martin will offer messages of support during the broadcast.
On February 6, CNN will air a one-hour special hosted by Monita Rajpal, featuring highlights from the concert and behind-the-scenes conversations with some of the top performers. Carol Bellamy, Deputy Director UNICEF, will also appear to talk about reconstruction efforts, and the long-term needs for aid organizations in the region.
# posted by ATN @ 8:11 AM
Where Are They Now
Today we put Ray Suarez in the "Where are they now" spotlight. Suarez worked at CNN as a correspondent in it's LA bureau. Suarez has also worked at WMAQ in Chicago, served as a producer for the ABC Radio Network in New York, a reporter for CBS Radio in Rome, and a reporter for various American and British news services in London. What's Ray doing now? Suarez is a Washington based senior correspondent for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Suarez came to The NewsHour from National Public Radio where he had been host of the nationwide, call in news program, Talk of the Nation, since 1993.
# posted by ATN @ 8:08 AM
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Charges Against Hawk Activist Dropped After Zahn Declines To Proceed With Case
Source: NY Newsday Prosecutors dropped charges Wednesday against a man accused of stalking and harassing CNN anchor Paula Zahn over two red-tailed hawks whose nest had been removed from the Manhattan apartment building where she lives.
Prosecutors said Zahn declined to proceed with the case against Lincoln Karim, a video engineer for Associated Press Television News who was among scores of people who protested the removal of the hawks, Pale Male and Lola, from the Fifth Avenue luxury high-rise.
Zahn, who lives in the building with her husband, developer Richard Cohen, had filed a complaint after Karim allegedly chased her family near her home and reduced her 7-year-old son to tears by screaming, "House of shame! Bring back the nest!"
A judge had previously ordered Karim to stay at least 1,000 feet from Zahn's home. Zahn understood that dropping the charges would mean an end to the order of protection, said Barbara Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney's office.
# posted by ATN @ 9:18 PM
Dolans Unscripted, Open House to Debut on CNN on Feb. 5
Source: CNN Pressroom CNN will launch two new weekend business programs – Dolans Unscripted with hosts Ken and Daria Dolan and Open House with host Gerri Willis – it was announced today by Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S.
Dolans Unscripted, an hour-long live show broadcast from CNN’s Time Warner Center in New York, will air on CNN every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (ET), and Open House, a half-hour real estate program, will air from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. (ET). Both programs first appeared on CNNfn and will debut on CNN/U.S. beginning Saturday, Feb. 5.
“Weekends are typically a time for focusing on family matters, including money and home issues,” said Klein. “Dolans Unscripted and Open House will be an invaluable destination for viewers seeking answers to their financial and real estate questions.”
I have a question: Is On The Story being canceled?
# posted by ATN @ 4:17 PM
TWC #1-Rated News/Information Channel Saturday
Source: PRNewswire As winter blasted a large part of thecountry on Saturday, The Weather Channel was the #1-rated news and informationnetwork, according to Nielsen data. For the total day (5 a.m.-2 a.m.)Saturday, The Weather Channel achieved a 1.2 rating, delivering an average ofjust over 1 million homes; TWC also ranked #1 with the A25-54 age group acrossthe total day. Ratings peaked on Saturday at both 10-10:15 a.m. and 11-11:15a.m. with a rating of 2.1, representing 1.8 million homes.
The 1.2 total day rating on Saturday ranks as the network's highest-ratedday for a winter storm event since the Midwest was terrorized by the FirstStrike of 1999, which produced a 1.3 total day (5 a.m.-2 a.m.) rating onJanuary 2, 1999. The record total day rating for The Weather Channel was atotal day rating of 1.9 achieved during coverage of Hurricane Ivan on August15 this year.
On Sunday, the network achieved a total day average rating of 0.7. Itmaintained the ranking of the #1 news and information network in the A25-54age group.
# posted by ATN @ 1:42 PM
BBC World in Promo Drive To Battle CNN and Sky
Source: Media Week BBC World has unveiled the biggest promotion drive in its ten-year history as it attempts to battle against other global newsgathering organisations such as CNN and Sky.
The Putting News First campaign will use the corporation’s high-profile world correspondents John Simpson and Hilary Andersson to plug the BBC World brand.
Seema Kotecha, head of marketing at BBC World, said: “The research we conducted around the world showed an extraordinary consistency when viewers said what they valued most about the channel.
“One quote in particular from the focus groups reflects our USP: ‘CNN is reporting, BBC World is journalism.’
# posted by ATN @ 12:38 PM
Greater Cairo Chooses Al Jazeera
Source: Mena Report The Arab Advisors Group conducted a comprehensive survey of the media and telecom usage habits of the population of Greater Cairo between November 2004 and Jan 2005.
On the TV front, despite the relatively wide adoption of Sat TV, terrestrial TV is still alive and kicking with a full 91% of households in Cairo tuning in to Egypt’s terrestrial TV channels. Of the Sat TV viewers, 68.3% tune in to news channels. Al Jazeera news channels is the most widely watched (88.4% of households with Sat TV watched it), followed by Al Arabiya (35.1%), Nile News (8.9%), CNN (6.6%), Al Hurra (4.6%), Al Ekhbaryia (3.9%), BBC (3.1%), ANN, Euronews and Manar (each with 0.4%).
Arab Advisors Group’s survey involved face to face interviews with 562 people from different households in the Greater Cairo area selected randomly from different areas in the city in a manner proportionate to the population size of the different areas. Respondents were above 18 years old. The survey has a confidence level of 99% with a margin of error of 5.5%. Please contact us to get a copy of the survey questions.
# posted by ATN @ 10:45 AM
Soledad O'Brien To Speak As Part Of Distinguished Speaker Series At Penn State
Source: The Digital Collegian Award-winning journalist and CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien will speak at 8 tonight in Eisenhower Auditorium as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series.
Matt Midles, Distinguished Speaker Series committee chair, said he expects O'Brien to focus her speech on her experience in Thailand and show some clips from the tsunami disaster. "It will be very interesting," Midles said. "It's not just her speaking; she will be showing images and all sorts of things. It will be very interesting for people to know what [the disaster] was like."
# posted by ATN @ 12:45 AM
Where Are They Now
Today we feature former CNN-International Anchor Bettina Lüscher. Betty spent several years as a freelance reporter for print and broadcast media and in 1985 worked as CNN Headline News Video Journalist in Atlanta. After completing her graduate education in the United States, Ms. Lüscher returned to Germany as the assistant to the Bureau Chief of CNN Frankfurt. In this position, she covered topics such as the U.S. bombing of Libya and U.S. patrols during the war between Iran and Iraq; the protest movement in East Germany and the road to German reunification; and the release of U.S. hostages from Lebanon. Between 1989 and 1992, Ms. Lüscher served as WDR anchor for German and international news in Cologne, where she covered, among other events, the fall of the Berlin Wall. Following her position at the WDR, Ms. Lüscher returned to Atlanta to serve as CNN's first non-native speaker to anchor world news for the network. She remained with CNN in Atlanta until 1998, before becoming CNN International Anchor in Berlin. From 2001 to 2002, Ms. Lüscher was CNN Bureau Chief and Correspondent in Berlin. So what is she doing now? Lüscher works as a media analyst for international news organizations and numerous academic institutions.
# posted by ATN @ 12:01 AM
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
CNN Deploys Prime-time Anchors, Correspondents For Iraq Election Coverage
Source: CNN Pressroom “We are focusing the global resources of CNN on the many facets of this story,” said Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. “We’ll be reporting extensively from the frontlines in Iraq, as well as from the homefront here in the United States, where so many families and communities have sacrificed in order to make these elections a reality.”
On Thursday at 10 p.m., CNN Presents will air the premiere of “Under Fire: Stories from the New Iraq,” a live program hosted by Amanpour and Cooper from Baghdad. In this hour, Amanpour, Arraf, Michael Holmes, Robertson and Sadler give compelling accounts of some of their most gripping experiences in Iraq. The program will re-air with Brown hosting on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 30, at 11 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
On Friday, Jan. 28, CNN offers another live two-hour “Iraq Votes” special at 7 p.m., a report that features a unique meeting between World War II veterans profiled in HBO’s Band of Brothers and troops who served in Iraq.
On Saturday, Jan. 29, a special edition of Capital Gang airs at 7 p.m., following by CNN Presents at 8 p.m., a special edition of Larry King Live at 9 p.m. and an hour of anchored coverage by Amanpour.
For the day of the elections, Sunday, Jan. 30, a full slate of live programming focused on the elections begins at noon with Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. A special three-hour edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight follows at 4 p.m. From 7 p.m to 9 p.m. and again at 10 p.m., CNN offers special live Iraqi election reports with Amanpour and Cooper in Iraq and Brown and Zahn in New York. A special edition of Larry King Live starts at 9 p.m.
Throughout the week, CNN en Español will include special reports about the Iraqi elections within its daily newscast, offering global reaction and analysis from CNN en Español correspondents Ines Ferre from Dearborn, Mich.; Jose Levy from the Middle East; Juan Carlos López and Ione Molinares from Washington, D.C.; and Rey Rodriquez from Mexico. The network will also air stories from Amanpour, Arraf, Cooper and Robertson. Each night, Panorama Mundial will offer a special guest and stories about the election, with a special edition of the program anchored by Patricia Janiot airing on Friday, Jan. 28.
As polls open in Iraq on Saturday, Jan. 29, CNN en Español kicks off “Iraq Election,” its continuous coverage of the election anchored by Janiot, along with Carlos Montero, Claudia Palacios, Glenda Umaña and Daniel Viotto.
# posted by ATN @ 6:59 PM
CNN en Espanol Gets Competition In Venezuela
Source: Venezuelan News The Venezuelan Council of Ministers approved a decree creating Telesur, a satellite news channel intended to compliment the northern perspective offered by the dominating channel in Latin America, CNN in Spanish, with a more southern perspective on the region.
In a press conference held after shortly after the decree was approved, the Minister of Communication and Information, Andrés Izarra, explained that this new state-run communications company, Telesur, would be a crucial communication tool for the region and, "a force of integration, in which we hope that all the countries in the South participate."
"I believe that it is very soon, before the end of the year, we will have Telesur up and running. We are working in order to achieve this. It will be an interesting contrast with the information that CNN in Spanish, the channel that has the most satellite power, transmits, and also with the rest of the international media that frequently airs biased and/or untruthful information which supports a particular political agenda," noted Izarra.
# posted by ATN @ 6:06 PM
2.4 Million Viewers For Larry King Monday Night
Source: Tv Newser Larry King's look back at Johnny Carson's life delivered more than 2.4 million viewers on Monday night, according to Nielsen data. The program averaged 2,474,000 viewers and was the #2 program on cable news last night (behind O'Reilly's 2,643,000 viewers). Larry King Live beat FNC's Hannity & Colmes, which averaged 1.8 million viewers. By the way, King outperformed O'Reilly in the P25-54 demo, with 735,000 viewers to O'Reilly's 671,000.
# posted by ATN @ 5:49 PM
CNN Beats FNC In Sunday Primetime
Source: Tv Newser Staffers at both CNN and MSNBC received good Nielsen ratings news today: CNN handily beat FNC in prime-time on Sunday night, and Sharon Tay's MSNBC debut was popular in the coveted 25-54 demo.
Between 8 and 11pm, CNN averaged 1,071,000 viewers on Sunday, compared to 632,000 for Fox News Channel. In the 25-54 demo, CNN averaged 302,000 viewers, compared to FNC's 186,000. CNN's coverage of Johnny Carson's death was extensive, including a taped Larry King interview with the comedian. An insider noted that Sunday marked FNC's least watched prime-time of 2005.
MSNBC earned a 0.4 rating in primetime on Sunday. New entertainment host Sharon Tay was rushed onto the air for a Carson special, and some viewers were turned off by her lack of poise. But the ratings showed otherwise: Tay's show earned a 0.3 and 292,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo, just shy of CNN's 334,000 demo viewers.
# posted by ATN @ 5:41 PM
Turner Compares Fox's Popularity to Hitler
Source: Broadcasting and Cable Ted Turner called Fox a propaganda tool of the Bush administration and indirectly compared Fox News Channel's popularity to Adolf Hitler's popular election to run Germany before World War II.
Turner made those fiery comments in his first address at the National Association for Television Programming Executives' conference since he was ousted from Time Warner Inc. five years ago.
His no-nonsense, sometimes humorous, approach during the one-hour Q&A generated frequent loud applause and laughter.
Fox wasn't laughing, however. "Ted is understandably bitter having lost his ratings, his network, and now his mind," said a Fox News spokesperson. "We wish him well." MORE
My comment on this: FNC's response could be called "what a republican would say." Surprised FNC didn't say Turner needed some prozac! They don't call Turner the loudmouth of the South for nothing. Way to go Ted, CNN PR needs your spunk!
# posted by ATN @ 5:29 PM
CNN and Wolf Blitzer Sued for $100 Million
Source: Market Wire Universal Communication Systems, Inc. and company chairman Michael J. Zwebner announced today that they have filed a law suit against TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC., CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC. "CNN" and WOLF BLITZER for $100 million. The law suit has been filed in UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA. The law suit has been brought for defamation under Florida law.
# posted by ATN @ 10:28 AM
Grace Under Fire
Source: Orlando Sentinel Great article about Nancy Grace and her "outspoken" personality. Her new program on CNN-HLN will debut February 21. Below are some quotes from the article.
"This is not just TV," Grace says. "These are real cases we're commenting on. It's not just about a show or a program. These are real people in a real human drama unfolding in a courtroom."
"It's no secret we're looking for a little entertainment, along with information, on Court TV in our evenings," says Henry Schleiff, chairman of Court TV. "I think Nancy is the perfect host."
"I don't think I'm any part of an attack on Lady Justice," she says. "I think I'm an attack on the attack. That make sense? The counterattack."
We want somebody to be memorable," says Jim Walton, president of the CNN News Group. "You'll notice with a lot of successful television personalities, there are positive attributes with the public, and there are also a lot of high negative attributes. It's the people in the middle that don't break out."I think Nancy is going to be memorable, and that's something you want. To live within the CNN brand, you want somebody to be smart. And Nancy is very, very smart."
# posted by ATN @ 8:27 AM
CNN International To Film Golf Show at Dubai Desert Classic
Soucre: AME Info CNN International, the world's news leader, will film a special programme highlighting the growth of golf in the UAE golf as part of its co-sponsorship of the 2005 Dubai Desert Classic.
The PGA European Tour event, which will be held at the Emirates Golf Club's Majlis Course from March 3-6, will be the second time the tournament has enjoyed major sponsorship from CNN International.
"We are delighted to be the main media sponsor of the prestigious Dubai Desert Classic tournament for a second year running,' said Rani R. Raad, Vice President, CNN International Advertising Sales, Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa.
'Last year's event was a tremendous success and we are pleased to be associated, yet again, with such a world-class event. The Middle East is a key region for CNN and the association with the Dubai Desert Classic further demonstrates CNN's continued commitment to the region", added Raad.
As part of the sponsorship, CNN's monthly feature show Living Golf will host its March show from the Desert Classic.
# posted by ATN @ 8:18 AM
Q and A With CNN Prez Jon Klein--Part Two
>Critics claim that CNN has a liberal slant. Does CNN have an agenda? Our only agenda is to get out there and cover the news. Partisans on both sides may be unhappy that their point of view is not represented, but being partisans they would. We try to play the facts right down the middle and let the audience make up their own minds.
> You have said that you plan on airing more CNN Presents programs during prime time during the week. Is it wise to air these at that time versus the news of the day? Our mission in prime time is to take viewers beyond the headlines. These days, thanks to the internet, radio, newspapers, etc, the audience pretty much feels they know what's going on in the world by the time the sun goes down. We've got to offer deeper insights - not necessarily into the breaking news of the day, which has been extensively covered by that time, but into the news of our times. CNN presents does that in a superlative way, and no other news network does these types of gripping documentaries anymore. As a former documentary maker, I have a soft spot in my heart for this approach,and I think our audience would like to see more work from this outstanding unit. This doesn't mean that in midweek we'll do full-hour docs - maybe shorter pieces crafted by this team.
> In your opinion what's the secret to FNC's success? They're great at what they do: talking about the news. But we're great at what we do - going out and reporting the news. They're lively and entertaining to watch - we could be a little livelier and engrossing; and we will be. That said, I don't think Fox is our main competition - we lose far more viewers to the combination of broadcast networks, Court Tv, History Channel, Bravo, etc than we do to FNC. We've got to become a must-watch alternative to all of those.
> Have you been given a time-table in which to have CNN's ratings"up to snuff" ? No. First mission: improve the quality, and make prime time offer a distinctive alternative. Ratings will inevitably follow if we maintain the pact with our audience to provide them the best, most comprehensive coverage of the world around them. Not just the news of the moment - but the news of our time.
> CNN has been around for a quarter century, where do you see CNN 25 years from now? I'm kind of focusing on the next 2 years. Let me get back to you after that!
CNN Blog would like to thank Mr. Klein for the interview.
# posted by ATN @ 12:01 AM
Where Are They Now
Today we feature former CNN-HLN Sports Anchor Dave Cera. Cera worked at CNN from 1997-1999. What's Dave doing now? Cere is now a sports anchor at WMC-TV in Memphis, TN.
# posted by ATN @ 12:00 AM
Monday, January 24, 2005
HLN Still Beating MSNBC During The Day?
I have noticed that CNN-HLN has revived the "We beat MSNBC during the day" promos. Can't wait for the new HLN programs to debut and get a following so HLN can air promos stating "We beat MSNBC all day and all night." Reckin' how the weekend HLN ratings have been the last couple of weeks with Rudi at the anchor desk?
# posted by ATN @ 11:35 PM
Blitzer Remembers Johnny Carson
Source: CNN.com CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer recalls his appearance on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in March 1991 in an article on CNN.com
As he was for millions of Americans, Johnny Carson was often the last person I saw each night before I closed my eyes.
Just imagine how excited I was when he began telling jokes with my name as the punch line during the first Gulf War in 1991 when I was CNN's Pentagon correspondent -- and when he actually invited me to join him on the set shortly thereafter.
"My next guest is a well respected journalist with a lot of expertise on the Middle East, and like a lot of journalists and reporters, he was known by his peers and his buddies but not generally known by the general public. Then came August 2 and he was thrust in the spotlight all over the world. There is probably nobody in the country who doesn't know who he is now. Would you welcome please, Mr. Wolf Blitzer," said Carson when he introduced me on March 22, 1991. MORE
# posted by ATN @ 7:58 PM
CNN and Multichoice Join to Form Journalism Awards
Source: World Screen News CNN is teaming up with the pan-African broadcaster and platform operator, MultiChoice Africa for the CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards.
For the past 10 years, CNN has already been involved with The CNN African Journalist Awards, which have celebrated journalistic excellence on the continent. More than 100 African journalists have been recognized for their reporting of Africa over this period.
Now CNN is joining forces with Multichoice to further its recognition of excellence in journalism in Africa. ðThe competition has grown over the last 9 years, and today is recognized as the most prestigious journalist award in Africa," said Chris Cramer, the managing director, CNN International. "We are delighted to join forces with MultiChoice, who have a strong presence throughout Africa. They will provide the logistical support needed to sustain the continued growth and visibility of the event on the continent."
# posted by ATN @ 1:36 PM
Q and A With CNN President Jon Klein-Only On CNN Blog
This is the first installment of an interview with CNN President Jon Klein.
> When can we expect to see major on air changes? I'm taking stock of who we have on the air and behind the scenes, what their strengths are, and how the audience is responding to what we currently do as well as what they wish we would do more of. All of that will germinate for the next few months and either result in the "major changes" you speak of or, perhaps, smaller tweaks to improve what we've got. Don't want to fix what ain't broke or throw the baby out with the bathwater. We do an awful lot well - and we'll keep on doing that.
>Would you be happy with a little ratings increase as long as you know you've got a quality product on the air? I think we've already got a quality product on the air. I'd expect that as the quality improves even further, the ratings will rise. But viewer habits take time to change, and are to some extent out of our control - so we'll focus on the part we do control (the quality) and expect to see ratings follow over the next 18-24 months. This is a long-haul process.
>CNN has had several presidents over the last number of years. What do you bring to the table the others didn't? My predecessors helped set the table for me - sensitizing the staff to theneed to change, improving many of the internal processes to allow us to respond even more quickly to the news of the day and of our times. I think my past six years working in the broadband world have given me the chance to understand the news audience better - because broadband delivery has allowed us to measure audience habits very granularly. I hope to apply some of those insights to what we're doing in prime time and elsewhere.
>What's the possibility of programming CNN-International overnight onCNN-US? When events warrant overseas we do it. As during the tsunami. But for the most part I'd rather people on the west coast get a chance to see some of our outstanding domestic programs.
> Is the news crawl an asset or liability? What's the possibility of CNN doing away with it? We lived without it before 9/11. It seems to be 50-50 - some hate it, some can't live without it. Don't think anyone tunes out because of it, so i think it's a keeper for the time being.
Part Two comes your way tomorrow. Tuesday we talk about the claims by critics that CNN leans to the left in it's news coverage AND yes, the F-word comes up, along with a couple of other topics.
> When can we expect to see major on air changes? I'm taking stock of who we have on the air and behind the scenes, what their strengths are, and how the audience is responding to what we currently do as well as what they wish we would do more of. All of that will germinate for the next few months and either result in the "major changes" you speak of or, perhaps, smaller tweaks to improve what we've got. Don't want to fix what ain't broke or throw the baby out with the bathwater. We do an awful lot well - and we'll keep on doing that.
>Would you be happy with a little ratings increase as long as you know you've got a quality product on the air? I think we've already got a quality product on the air. I'd expect that as the quality improves even further, the ratings will rise. But viewer habits take time to change, and are to some extent out of our control - so we'll focus on the part we do control (the quality) and expect to see ratings follow over the next 18-24 months. This is a long-haul process.
>CNN has had several presidents over the last number of years. What do you bring to the table the others didn't? My predecessors helped set the table for me - sensitizing the staff to theneed to change, improving many of the internal processes to allow us to respond even more quickly to the news of the day and of our times. I think my past six years working in the broadband world have given me the chance to understand the news audience better - because broadband delivery has allowed us to measure audience habits very granularly. I hope to apply some of those insights to what we're doing in prime time and elsewhere.
>What's the possibility of programming CNN-International overnight onCNN-US? When events warrant overseas we do it. As during the tsunami. But for the most part I'd rather people on the west coast get a chance to see some of our outstanding domestic programs.
> Is the news crawl an asset or liability? What's the possibility of CNN doing away with it? We lived without it before 9/11. It seems to be 50-50 - some hate it, some can't live without it. Don't think anyone tunes out because of it, so i think it's a keeper for the time being.
Part Two comes your way tomorrow. Tuesday we talk about the claims by critics that CNN leans to the left in it's news coverage AND yes, the F-word comes up, along with a couple of other topics.
# posted by ATN @ 12:01 AM
Where Are They Now
Today we feature former CNN-International anchor Juanita Phillips. Phillips joined CNN in 1998 and worked across CNN's news and business programs, including, presenting CNN's European breakfast news program CNN This Morning, the evening European focused news program World News Europe and CNN's weekly look at culture and politics Inside Europe. She covered numerous globally significant stories during her time at CNN, including the Kosovo War, the allied bombing campaign against Iraq, the Turkish earthquake and the fall of Milosevic. Juanita joined CNN after leaving BBC World, where she co-hosted coverage of Princess Diana's funeral, and regularly co-presented The World Today. So what's she doing now? Phillips left CNN in 2002 and went back home to Australia and joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and presents the 7pm news bulletin in News South Wales.
# posted by ATN @ 12:00 AM
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Did You Miss It The First Time Around?
I'm sure CNN execs don't wanna re-live this moment BUT remember on Inauguration Day when a protester along the parade route dropped the F-Bomb while Bob Franken attempted to do a live report. Well here's the video of that moment.
# posted by ATN @ 11:11 PM
Coming This Week--Q and A With CNN President Jon Klein
CNN Blog conducted an e-mail interview with new CNN President Jon Klein. CNN Blog asked Mr. Klein 10 questions and coming up in the next couple of days his answers to those questions.
# posted by ATN @ 8:57 PM
CNN Remembering Johnny Carson Tonight
It seems regular scheduled programming has been scratched for the evening. Instead CNN will be airing a couple encore presentations of Larry King Live and a LIVE program, as the late Johnny Carson is remembered. CNN President Jon Klein tells CNN Blog, "Larry's come in on his day off to do a LIVE show tonight about Johnny, in addition to a couple of past episodes with Ed McMahon and tomorrow he's got an(cable prime-time) exclusive new interview with Ed."
# posted by ATN @ 7:22 PM
CNN Asleep At The Wheel
Geez Louise, Johnny Carson is dead and CNN decides to run a People in the News repeat. CNN did air a Carson bio package at the end of Late Edition BUT goes to taped programming right after that. Heck, what is CNN now the History Channel? It's only news while it's happening. Was glad to see CNN-HLN update it's taped newscast to include the news. What would be the odds of Larry King doing a LIVE program tonight concerning Carson's death? He'll probably wait til tomorrow too. CNN can't win for losing.
UPDATE: A special Larry King Live will air tonight. I think Fredricka said it would be an archived interview with Carson's longtime sidekick Ed McMahon. So much for any LIVE news today. Mr. Klein hire someone to work in Atlanta on the weekends.
UPDATE: During the 4pm hour CNN Correspondent Miguel Marquez was out and about in Hollywood getting reaction from Carson fans.
UPDATE: NOW Fredricka is saying Larry King will have an EXCLUSIVE interview Monday night with Ed McMahon. And we are now into the 5pm hour at which time CNN's special Defending America is suppose to air.
UPDATE: Fredricka just reported that a special Larry King Live will air tonight(Sunday) featuring friends of Johnny Carson.
# posted by ATN @ 2:44 PM
Defending America Three Hour Special Today
Source: CNN.com The theme all week on CNN has been "Defending America" and today CNN will wrap up the week with a special 3 hour program. Tune into today at 5pm eastern for an in-depth look at homeland security in the series, "Defending America," hosted by CNN's Carol Lin.
# posted by ATN @ 11:44 AM
Former Crossfire Host Bids Program Farewell
Source: Washington Post Michael Kinsley writes: As a connoisseur of evasive techniques on television interview shows, I didn't think there were any new ones waiting to be discovered. Boy, was I wrong. It worked. It seemed to touch a chord in the electronic community of political obsessives, who rose up as one to declare that they hadn't watched "Crossfire" for years but were bothered by the possibility that others might be doing so. Probably no single show of "Crossfire" has ever had as much impact on the actual course of events. Unfortunately, the impact was that CNN canceled "Crossfire" after 23 years.
Or maybe this wasn't especially unfortunate. Twenty-three years is a good run. I used to work as a co-host of "Crossfire," and I got sick of it after six. I often heard the arguments against shoutfests. First, the general level of discussion is low, and second, framing every issue as an argument corrupts the larger political discourse, which is headachy with argumentation already.
You'll find the complete article HERE.
# posted by ATN @ 2:23 AM
