Thursday, March 30, 2006
Verjee to Report From Washington, D.C., for CNN/U.S.
Source: CNN Press Release CNN International’s Zain Verjee will move to Washington, D.C., to report for CNN/U.S., it was announced today by CNN/U.S. President Jon Klein. Verjee, who was born and raised in Kenya and educated in Canada, previously served with CNN International (CNNI) at the network's global headquarters in Atlanta, where she co-anchored CNNI's Your World Today with Jim Clancy, simulcast on CNN/U.S. each weekday.Verjee will continue as a contributor to CNN’s The Situation Room and will report on
other issues around the nation’s capital. She will begin reporting for CNN/U.S. on Monday, April 17.
“Zain brings a global perspective that will be invaluable in reporting national news stories from Washington,” Klein said. “We are all very excited for her to join the D.C. team.”
Since joining CNNI in 2000, Verjee has covered numerous breaking news and world events, such as the India-Pakistan Agra Summit, the conflict in the Middle East, the trial of former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Hajj and the war in Iraq.
Previously, Verjee anchored the prime-time news bulletin and compiled, produced and presented documentaries for the Kenyan Television Network. She also hosted The Third Opinion, a political talk show, and freelanced for the BBC, producing several programs including African Perspectives, a documentary on the de-registration of non-governmental organizations after the U.S. Embassy bombings in East Africa in 1998.
Verjee's journalistic efforts extend beyond the broadcast realm. She recently published Live and On the Air, a children's book exploring the experiences of a young girl who moves from rural Kenya to Nairobi to work as a broadcaster. Verjee also has produced successful radio campaigns spreading awareness of HIV/AIDS, road safety and violence against women. Her community efforts include work with Street Children and with Operation Smile.
# posted by ATN @ 5:16 PM 
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
CNN Pipeline Free Preview Day Thursday
Many have been wondering what to expect on CNN Pipeline tomorrow as it will free. Below are a few of the highlights:8 a.m. – U.S. Military Briefing from Baghdad, Iraq;
8:30 a.m. – Sago Mine Tragedy survivor news conference;
9:30 a.m. – The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence press conference;
10 a.m. – Preliminary hearing for Mary Winkler, wife of slain Tennessee preacher;
11 a.m. – Press conference launching the Terry Schindler Schiavo Foundation, timed the day before the anniversary of Terry Shiavo’s death; and
4 p.m. – Fit Nation, a nationwide initiative to encourage Americans to adopt healthier lifestyles and combat obesity, led by CNN Senior Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Continuing to report from the Gulf Coast region about the progress of rebuilding six months after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, CNN Pipeline will air an exclusive ‘Video Tour’ of the New Orleans area.
Additionally, CNN Pipeline will air live reports and interviews on a variety of news events, including:
First anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II: CNN Faith and Values Correspondent Delia Gallagher, who served seven years in the Vatican press corps, will discuss her upcoming CNN Presents ‘Last Days of Pope John Paul II,’ untold stories about his final hours and the process to make him a saint.
Gaming: CNN Technology Correspondent Daniel Sieberg discusses the hottest new gaming industry news and products; as well as tests CNN/Money Columnist Chris Morris’ knowledge of classic video games from the ‘80’s in a quiz format called “Name That Game.”
Immigration: CNN’s Lou Dobbs will discuss news from the three-nation summit in Cancun, Mexico, where U.S.
President George W. Bush, Mexican President Vicente Fox and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper are meeting to discuss immigration, trade and border control.
# posted by ATN @ 7:57 PM
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
PAX Survey Reveals CNN/I’s Sixth Straight Period of Audience Growth
Source:Strategiy.com CNN’s audience growth across the Asia Pacific region out-paced all gains for the news genre as a whole, with daily audiences up by a remarkable 35% year-on-year. Further evidence of CNN’s pre-eminence comes in the results that show the network is viewed by 14% more people each week, and 16% more each month, than all other news and business channels combined.“With the fast pace of globalization more and more people find they need an international perspective so we are absolutely delighted with this further ringing endorsement of CNN’s newsgathering credentials”, said Duncan Morris, Vice President of Research, Turner International Asia Pacific. “Our award winning coverage of global events has clearly resonated with our audience, particularly so as we are watched by 39% more top management each day than any other measured channel.
These were the 6th successive set of PAX results to show growth in CNN’s audience, one which also added 56% more past-week viewers and 65% more past-month viewers than the next placed news channel (BBC World). The full-year survey results, conducted by Synovate, further reveal almost half (46%) of CNN’s weekly audience view no other news/business channel during the course of a week, and 39% of them remain loyal across a month. Online, CNN.com remains the leading regional website, visited by 54% more PAX respondents across a month than the next largest broadcaster or publisher’s website.
# posted by ATN @ 10:46 PM
Ratings Highlights
> HLN grew its M-F 8-11p Q1 2006 audience by +55% P2+ (405K vs. 261K) and +36% in P25-54 (141K vs. 104K) over Q1 2005.
> Nancy Grace at 8pm was up +74% P2+ (581K vs. 333K) and +35% in P25-54 (167K vs. 124K) over Q1 2005
> Prime News at 9pm was up +21% P2+ (323K vs. 268K) and +14% P25-54 (115K vs. 101K) over Q1 2005
> Lou Dobbs Tonight at 6pm gained +24% P2+ (665K vs. 535K) and +3% P25-54 (156K vs. 152K) over Q1 2005
> Anderson Cooper 360 10pm-midnight block was up +11% P2+ (581K vs. 525K) and +14% P25-54 (203K vs. 178K) over Q1 2005
> The Situation Room at 4pm was up +17% P2+ (536K vs. 458K) and +22% in P25-54 (137K vs. 112K) over Q1 2005
> Nancy Grace at 8pm was up +74% P2+ (581K vs. 333K) and +35% in P25-54 (167K vs. 124K) over Q1 2005
> Prime News at 9pm was up +21% P2+ (323K vs. 268K) and +14% P25-54 (115K vs. 101K) over Q1 2005
> Lou Dobbs Tonight at 6pm gained +24% P2+ (665K vs. 535K) and +3% P25-54 (156K vs. 152K) over Q1 2005
> Anderson Cooper 360 10pm-midnight block was up +11% P2+ (581K vs. 525K) and +14% P25-54 (203K vs. 178K) over Q1 2005
> The Situation Room at 4pm was up +17% P2+ (536K vs. 458K) and +22% in P25-54 (137K vs. 112K) over Q1 2005
# posted by ATN @ 10:10 PM
Monday, March 27, 2006
DC Reporter on the Move
DCRTV reports, "Michael McManus is leaving CNN to serve as the Washington correspondent for HDNews, a new high-def news network. McManus spent 12 years with CNN, working many positions including producing at the White House, reporting from the DC bureau, and anchoring out of Atlanta."
# posted by ATN @ 11:01 PM
It's Switch-A-Roo in DC
Source: Broadcasting and Cable Starting Today (Mach 27), CNN is switching some beats in Washington. Dana Bash, who had been covering the White House for the cable network, is changing places with Hill correspondent Ed Henry, CNN confirms.
Joining Bash on the Hill is Andrea Koppel, who had been covering the State Department. CNN will now use a variety of correspondents to cover State.
Henry, who joins Suzanne Malveaux and Elaine Quijano, came to CNN in 2004 from Hill newspaper Roll Call. Bash has been White House correspondent since November 2002, while Koppel has covered State since 1998, having joined the network in 1993.
"I really think this cross-pollination will strengthen both units," said Washington Bureau Chief and VP David Bohrman in a statement.
Joining Bash on the Hill is Andrea Koppel, who had been covering the State Department. CNN will now use a variety of correspondents to cover State.
Henry, who joins Suzanne Malveaux and Elaine Quijano, came to CNN in 2004 from Hill newspaper Roll Call. Bash has been White House correspondent since November 2002, while Koppel has covered State since 1998, having joined the network in 1993.
"I really think this cross-pollination will strengthen both units," said Washington Bureau Chief and VP David Bohrman in a statement.
# posted by ATN @ 10:48 PM
CNN Revamps Home Page
Source: CNN Press Release CNN is launching a redesigned version of its home page, CNN.com, March 27. The goals are to feature video more prominently, provide easier navigation for the user and claim more space for ads by reducing clutter.To make room for a third column of space for either larger, higher-impact ads (including video) or free video content, section headers have moved from the left of the page to the top.
"The challenge in this business is having enough flexibility in ad sizes that you can get the most variety of advertisers," says CNN.com Senior VP/General Manager David Payne. "It's very unlike the TV business, where a 30[-second spot] is a 30 is a 30."
The redesign also will separate the free video more clearly from the paid content. CNN posts 60 pieces of free video a day; its new broadband service, Pipeline, offers VOD for $24.95 a year or $2.95 a month.
On March 30, CNN will offer its second free preview of Pipeline in hopes of snagging subscribers from the roughly 25 million users who visit CNN.com each month.
# posted by ATN @ 10:41 PM
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Programming Changes in the Forecast for The Weather Channel
Below is an excerpt from an article from TV Week about some programming changes on the way for The Weather Channel:"In its upfront presentations, The Weather Channel will show off new programming, including "Abrams and Bettis on the Weather,'' which will run at 8 p.m. weekdays, pushing "Storm Stories" to 7 p.m., where it replaces the second hour of "P.M. Edition." Hosts Stephanie Abrams-called a "weather goddess" by some fans online-and Mike Bettis will discuss the day's breaking weather news.
"Our Climate With Dr. Heidi Cullen" is a new weekly show about the Earth's climate outlook that will be interactive and include video clips from viewers. Guests will include scientists, politicians and entertainment figures.
Coming to the network in the first quarter of 2007 is "Epic Conditions," which Liz Janneman, senior VP of cable ad sales for The Weather Channel, described as extreme sports meets the most perfect weather conditions, looking at the places where the climate is just right for skiing, snowboarding or golf."
# posted by ATN @ 10:50 PM
CNN.com Relaunched
CNN.com relaunched earlier today. Looks pretty good to me. Check it out. HERE's a page describing the changes.
# posted by ATN @ 10:33 PM
