Friday, May 19, 2006
CNN to Honor American Troops on Multiple Platforms for Memorial Day
Source: CNN Press Release CNN.com has launched a user-generated content feature as part of “Coming Home: Families and War,” an upcoming “Special Report” that explores the impact of the war in Iraq on U.S. troops and their families. At http://www.cnn.com/cominghomestories, users can submit their personal "Coming Home" videos, audio files, photos and text stories, as well as messages to U.S. troops in Iraq for possible inclusion in the special report.
For Memorial Day weekend, CNN plans to offer coverage on multiple platforms with CNN/U.S. airing CNN Presents documentaries about D-Day and soldiers wounded during the war in Iraq; coverage on Headline News; and related reports, through real-time, streaming coverage on up to four simultaneous feeds on CNN Pipeline.
On Friday, May 26, “Coming Home: Families and War” will go live on CNN.com. Through multimedia components and emotive reporting, “Coming Home” explores how the current war differs from previous conflicts, including the effects on social support systems for military families. These compelling stories include a pictorial of a war widow facing her first Memorial Day since her husband died in Iraq. This CNN.com “Special Report” can be found at www.cnn.com/cominghome.
“Coming Home” also will discuss the growing numbers of women in uniform, the effects of long-term deployments, innovations in the way troops keep in touch with loved ones and medical advancements in helping troops recover from war injuries. The Special Report will feature a breadth of stories, audio slide shows, charts and photo galleries as well as a site to allow users to submit personal recollections and messages to troops.
In addition to the Special Report, CNN.com continues to dedicate part of the site to coalition soldiers killed in Iraq. Launched soon after the start of the war, this memorial database, sortable by date of death or name, is available at: http://www.cnn.com/casualties.
On CNN/U.S., CNN Presents will air two documentaries chronicling the sacrifices of American troops in the war in Iraq and in World War II. Wounded Warriors airs on Saturday, May 27, at 8 p.m.; it re-airs at 11 p.m. and Sunday, May 28, at 8 p.m. and 11p.m. D-Day, A Call to Courage airs on Saturday, May 27, at 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. and on Sunday, May 28, at 6 a.m. and 2p.m. All times Eastern.
For Wounded Warriors, CNN correspondent Alex Quade offers stories gathered over the last 18 months of troops injured at the frontlines in Iraq as well as those of combat medical team members who put their lives on the line to save the fallen. From battlefield evacuations to combat support hospital emergency triage to critical care at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to rehabilitation back home, the documentary reveals compelling stories of bravery and personal courage.
Along the way, Quade – who will also contribute a “Behind the Scenes” report to CNN.com’s “Coming Home” – tells the story of Lt. Col. Tim Maxwell, who inspired and founded the first “Wounded Warriors Barracks” at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina after he survived brain trauma following a mortar attack in Baghdad. Known as “Maxwell Hall,” the new barracks offers comprehensive, holistic care in an environment where wounded troops can support each other emotionally as they recover from their physical injuries.
D-Day: A Call to Courage tells about the pivotal Normandy Invasion of World War II through the perspective of the men who landed on the beaches at Normandy, France. The documentary includes rare and insightful commentary from John Eisenhower, the son of the Supreme Allied Commander and future U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower, and esteemed journalists Douglas Brinkley and Walter Cronkite.
For Memorial Day weekend, CNN plans to offer coverage on multiple platforms with CNN/U.S. airing CNN Presents documentaries about D-Day and soldiers wounded during the war in Iraq; coverage on Headline News; and related reports, through real-time, streaming coverage on up to four simultaneous feeds on CNN Pipeline.
On Friday, May 26, “Coming Home: Families and War” will go live on CNN.com. Through multimedia components and emotive reporting, “Coming Home” explores how the current war differs from previous conflicts, including the effects on social support systems for military families. These compelling stories include a pictorial of a war widow facing her first Memorial Day since her husband died in Iraq. This CNN.com “Special Report” can be found at www.cnn.com/cominghome.
“Coming Home” also will discuss the growing numbers of women in uniform, the effects of long-term deployments, innovations in the way troops keep in touch with loved ones and medical advancements in helping troops recover from war injuries. The Special Report will feature a breadth of stories, audio slide shows, charts and photo galleries as well as a site to allow users to submit personal recollections and messages to troops.
In addition to the Special Report, CNN.com continues to dedicate part of the site to coalition soldiers killed in Iraq. Launched soon after the start of the war, this memorial database, sortable by date of death or name, is available at: http://www.cnn.com/casualties.
On CNN/U.S., CNN Presents will air two documentaries chronicling the sacrifices of American troops in the war in Iraq and in World War II. Wounded Warriors airs on Saturday, May 27, at 8 p.m.; it re-airs at 11 p.m. and Sunday, May 28, at 8 p.m. and 11p.m. D-Day, A Call to Courage airs on Saturday, May 27, at 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. and on Sunday, May 28, at 6 a.m. and 2p.m. All times Eastern.
For Wounded Warriors, CNN correspondent Alex Quade offers stories gathered over the last 18 months of troops injured at the frontlines in Iraq as well as those of combat medical team members who put their lives on the line to save the fallen. From battlefield evacuations to combat support hospital emergency triage to critical care at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to rehabilitation back home, the documentary reveals compelling stories of bravery and personal courage.
Along the way, Quade – who will also contribute a “Behind the Scenes” report to CNN.com’s “Coming Home” – tells the story of Lt. Col. Tim Maxwell, who inspired and founded the first “Wounded Warriors Barracks” at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina after he survived brain trauma following a mortar attack in Baghdad. Known as “Maxwell Hall,” the new barracks offers comprehensive, holistic care in an environment where wounded troops can support each other emotionally as they recover from their physical injuries.
D-Day: A Call to Courage tells about the pivotal Normandy Invasion of World War II through the perspective of the men who landed on the beaches at Normandy, France. The documentary includes rare and insightful commentary from John Eisenhower, the son of the Supreme Allied Commander and future U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower, and esteemed journalists Douglas Brinkley and Walter Cronkite.
# posted by ATN @ 9:07 PM 
CNN Worldwide Brings in More Money Than FNC
There's a Q and A in today's USA Today with CNN President Jim Walton. Walton speaks about the profitability of ALL the CNN Network Channels and platforms. Here's Walton's response to the question:
"CNN Worldwide brings in more than twice as much revenue as Fox News — I'm just going to say the "F" word. Our goal is to deliver more news to more people in more places across more platforms than any other news organization in the world. We're able to deliver the shareholder value. "
Walton also addresses the recent changes to Headline News, the FNC Business Channel and the possible merger with a network news operation. Read the Q and A HERE.
"CNN Worldwide brings in more than twice as much revenue as Fox News — I'm just going to say the "F" word. Our goal is to deliver more news to more people in more places across more platforms than any other news organization in the world. We're able to deliver the shareholder value. "
Walton also addresses the recent changes to Headline News, the FNC Business Channel and the possible merger with a network news operation. Read the Q and A HERE.
# posted by ATN @ 7:42 PM
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
CNN Student News Preparing End of School Year Programming
Source: CNN Press Release As the 2005-2006 school year comes to a close, CNN Student News will air a four-part special report titled “Video Yearbook ’06.” Beginning Tuesday, May 30, this interactive series will spotlight some of the major events that shaped the world over the past school year, including Hurricane Katrina and the record-setting 2005 hurricane season, the war in Iraq, the deadly earthquake in Pakistan and recent appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court.The “Video Yearbook” will be accompanied by an online interactive quiz, which will test students’ knowledge of the year’s top stories. The quiz will also be available in a classroom-ready PDF format.
Starting Monday, June 5, CNN Student News will provide weekly update programs online at www.CNN.com/Education. The daily program returns online and on Headline News on Monday, Aug. 14. CNN Presents: Classroom Edition will air throughout the summer on Mondays at 4 – 5 a.m. (ET).
# posted by ATN @ 10:15 PM
CNN Taps Mark Nelson for Vice President of CNN Productions
Source: CNN Press Release Mark Nelson, most recently senior executive producer of CNN Presents, has been promoted to vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions, it was announced today by Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. In his new role, Nelson oversees all of CNN Worldwide documentary and long-form programming, including CNN Presents, the most honored documentary series in cable news.
Nelson, a veteran news producer who oversaw highly acclaimed long-form programming on ABC’s Nightline and the National Geographic Channel, has been the interim chief of CNN Productions since November 2005. During this time, CNN Presents increased its in-depth programming and the number of topical specials, which has resulted in frequent ratings victories in its time periods.
“Within the few months that he has directed the department, Mark has guided several fantastic specials and documentaries from conception to completion, including Hope & Heartbreak: Inside the Sago Mine Tragedy, The Last Days of Pope John Paul II, Saving My Town – The Fight for Bay Saint Louis and We Were Warned – Tomorrow’s Oil Crisis,” said Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. “As the work shows, Mark appreciates not only the best in storytelling but making the documentaries applicable to current events and subjects relevant to our viewers. Now that Mark is assigned to this role on a permanent basis, I look forward to him and his team continuing to set the gold standard for documentaries in cable news.”
“To work at CNN Productions is to be the proverbial kid in the candy shop,” Nelson said. “Producing documentaries for CNN means you truly have the full global power of the network at your disposal. There’s a commitment at CNN for important documentary programming. I’m ecstatic to have an opportunity to continue working with such dedicated colleagues at CNN Productions.”
A veteran broadcaster with 30 years of experience, Nelson came to CNN from the National Geographic Channel, where as vice president and executive producer he built a staff of more than 40 producers, correspondents, writers, editors and directors to launch and produce National Geographic Today. His unit also produced hour and half-hour specials and documentaries for the channel.
Before joining the National Geographic Channel in 2000, Nelson spent 11 years as the senior broadcast producer for ABC’s Nightline, a position where he produced numerous Emmy-winning broadcasts. At the same time, Nelson served as a senior producer for special events programming including broadcasts of political conventions in 1996 and 2000.
Nelson joined ABC News in 1982 as a producer and has served as chief of the network’s bureaus in Tel Aviv, Rome and Los Angeles. Nelson started his career in 1976 in Des Moines, Iowa, as senior producer and director of Iowa Public Television.
Nelson, a veteran news producer who oversaw highly acclaimed long-form programming on ABC’s Nightline and the National Geographic Channel, has been the interim chief of CNN Productions since November 2005. During this time, CNN Presents increased its in-depth programming and the number of topical specials, which has resulted in frequent ratings victories in its time periods.
“Within the few months that he has directed the department, Mark has guided several fantastic specials and documentaries from conception to completion, including Hope & Heartbreak: Inside the Sago Mine Tragedy, The Last Days of Pope John Paul II, Saving My Town – The Fight for Bay Saint Louis and We Were Warned – Tomorrow’s Oil Crisis,” said Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. “As the work shows, Mark appreciates not only the best in storytelling but making the documentaries applicable to current events and subjects relevant to our viewers. Now that Mark is assigned to this role on a permanent basis, I look forward to him and his team continuing to set the gold standard for documentaries in cable news.”
“To work at CNN Productions is to be the proverbial kid in the candy shop,” Nelson said. “Producing documentaries for CNN means you truly have the full global power of the network at your disposal. There’s a commitment at CNN for important documentary programming. I’m ecstatic to have an opportunity to continue working with such dedicated colleagues at CNN Productions.”
A veteran broadcaster with 30 years of experience, Nelson came to CNN from the National Geographic Channel, where as vice president and executive producer he built a staff of more than 40 producers, correspondents, writers, editors and directors to launch and produce National Geographic Today. His unit also produced hour and half-hour specials and documentaries for the channel.
Before joining the National Geographic Channel in 2000, Nelson spent 11 years as the senior broadcast producer for ABC’s Nightline, a position where he produced numerous Emmy-winning broadcasts. At the same time, Nelson served as a senior producer for special events programming including broadcasts of political conventions in 1996 and 2000.
Nelson joined ABC News in 1982 as a producer and has served as chief of the network’s bureaus in Tel Aviv, Rome and Los Angeles. Nelson started his career in 1976 in Des Moines, Iowa, as senior producer and director of Iowa Public Television.
# posted by ATN @ 10:09 PM
CNN Coverage Plans for Hayden Confirmation Hearings
A special edition of The Situation Room on CNN/U.S. and real-time video streams on CNN Pipeline will highlight CNN’s coverage of the confirmation hearings for Gen. Michael Hayden, President George W. Bush’s nominee to replace Porter Goss as director of the CIA.
The Situation Room begins Thursday, May 18, starting at 9:25 a.m. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will be joined throughout the coverage by various CNN correspondents, contributors and analysts including John McLaughlin, a CNN national security adviser and former CIA deputy director. CNN Pipeline will air the hearing live in its entirety with multiple camera angles with no breaks or commentary. CNN Pipeline, with its multiple live video streams, will also provide live reports with correspondents throughout the day. All times Eastern.
The Situation Room begins Thursday, May 18, starting at 9:25 a.m. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will be joined throughout the coverage by various CNN correspondents, contributors and analysts including John McLaughlin, a CNN national security adviser and former CIA deputy director. CNN Pipeline will air the hearing live in its entirety with multiple camera angles with no breaks or commentary. CNN Pipeline, with its multiple live video streams, will also provide live reports with correspondents throughout the day. All times Eastern.
# posted by ATN @ 10:07 PM
Monday, May 15, 2006
NBC Screws Up Bush Speech Cue
Source: Associated Press President Bush was briefly caught in the floodlights Monday night when NBC News, which was operating the television camera in the Oval Office, gave him the cue to begin his speech too early.
A few minutes before the scheduled 8:01 p.m. EDT start time, CNN showed the president reciting the opening lines of his prime time address.
He was well into the second paragraph of his prepared remarks on immigration before NBC realized the error and told him to stop speaking. Only a few seconds were broadcast on CNN.
``There was a miscommunicated cue from our pool in the Oval Office for the president,'' said NBC News deputy Washington bureau chief Wendy Wilkinson. She said the network restarted the address on schedule after it realized the error.
A few minutes before the scheduled 8:01 p.m. EDT start time, CNN showed the president reciting the opening lines of his prime time address.
He was well into the second paragraph of his prepared remarks on immigration before NBC realized the error and told him to stop speaking. Only a few seconds were broadcast on CNN.
``There was a miscommunicated cue from our pool in the Oval Office for the president,'' said NBC News deputy Washington bureau chief Wendy Wilkinson. She said the network restarted the address on schedule after it realized the error.
# posted by ATN @ 11:13 PM
Video: CNN Cuts Early to President Bush
You Tube has the video of CNN airing President Bush practicing his speech. It's explained my Wolf Blitzer that the NETWORK POOL cut to the feed early. Wonder who the POOL producers were?
Additional: 9:30pm TV Newser reports that NBC ran the pool for tonight's speech and, quoting , CNN D.C. bureau chief David Bohrman, ""Their stage manager at the White House was listening the the wrong countdown and cued the President early." TVN also reports, "The internal "pool note" clearly explained that the "slate" with the Presidential seal would be kept on the pool screen until just five seconds before the beginning of the address. Instead, the slate was removed prematurely."
Dang, so much for the left wing conspiracy explanation that is making its way around the web now.
# posted by ATN @ 8:55 PM
CNN Betting the Bank on Online and Mobile Platforms
Source: ClickZ News CNN is changing its upfront strategy this year, emphasizing multi-platform opportunities beyond its television ad inventory in its presentations to media buyers this month.
The ad sales team has created presentations to showcase CNN's capabilities in online, wireless and mobile markets, both on their own and in combination with TV campaigns to reach a target it calls the "now" consumer, according to Greg D'Alba, COO of CNN ad sales and marketing.
"The 'now' consumer is accessing content at home, at work, at the mall, during their commute -- on every device imaginable," said Greg D'Alba, COO of CNN ad sales and marketing. "Advertising packages that succeed in combining those distribution outlets to maximize the client's exposure and reach the consumer on multiple touch points are the ones that will succeed."
CNN's digital inventory includes streaming video, wireless, podcasting, VOD, digital-only special features, and high-profile positions like CNN.com home page roadblocks. Each month, more than 24 million unique visitors to CNN.com access more than 32 million video streams and 3.2 million podcasts. More than 62 million monthly page views come via wireless or mobile devices.
"If you are a marketer, you need to be where the eyeballs are," D'Alba said. "News is the perfect 'take-it-with you' content. Consumers can access our programming wherever they are, whenever they want it." MORE
The ad sales team has created presentations to showcase CNN's capabilities in online, wireless and mobile markets, both on their own and in combination with TV campaigns to reach a target it calls the "now" consumer, according to Greg D'Alba, COO of CNN ad sales and marketing.
"The 'now' consumer is accessing content at home, at work, at the mall, during their commute -- on every device imaginable," said Greg D'Alba, COO of CNN ad sales and marketing. "Advertising packages that succeed in combining those distribution outlets to maximize the client's exposure and reach the consumer on multiple touch points are the ones that will succeed."
CNN's digital inventory includes streaming video, wireless, podcasting, VOD, digital-only special features, and high-profile positions like CNN.com home page roadblocks. Each month, more than 24 million unique visitors to CNN.com access more than 32 million video streams and 3.2 million podcasts. More than 62 million monthly page views come via wireless or mobile devices.
"If you are a marketer, you need to be where the eyeballs are," D'Alba said. "News is the perfect 'take-it-with you' content. Consumers can access our programming wherever they are, whenever they want it." MORE
# posted by ATN @ 6:27 PM
