Thursday, December 07, 2006
CNN Means Business
Source: CNN Press Release The National Television Academy today awarded CNN two Business and Financial Reporting Emmys: one for a documentary on identify theft and another about a developing black market for infertile couples. The academy presented the awards for the best business and financial reporting in 2006 during its fourth annual ceremony held today at the Rainbow Room in New York City .
Anderson Cooper 360° won an Emmy for “Black Market Infertility” for Outstanding Coverage of a Current Business News Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast. David Doss, Kathleen Friery, Audrey Gruber, James Kraft and Charlie Moore produced the segment along with correspondent Randi Kaye.
CNN Presents won for How to Rob a Bank for Outstanding Interpretation or Analysis of a Business News Story—News Magazines and Long Form. Mark Nelson, Andy Segal, Kathy Slobogin, Jody Gottlieb, Nadia Kounang, Mike Chedwick, Claire Cibik and Matt Scheibner handled production work for this documentary. Drew Griffin was the correspondent.
This marks the third year in a row CNN has won Emmys for its business and financial reporting, and Griffin ’s second business Emmy in a row for his investigative reports.
Anderson Cooper 360° won an Emmy for “Black Market Infertility” for Outstanding Coverage of a Current Business News Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast. David Doss, Kathleen Friery, Audrey Gruber, James Kraft and Charlie Moore produced the segment along with correspondent Randi Kaye.
CNN Presents won for How to Rob a Bank for Outstanding Interpretation or Analysis of a Business News Story—News Magazines and Long Form. Mark Nelson, Andy Segal, Kathy Slobogin, Jody Gottlieb, Nadia Kounang, Mike Chedwick, Claire Cibik and Matt Scheibner handled production work for this documentary. Drew Griffin was the correspondent.
This marks the third year in a row CNN has won Emmys for its business and financial reporting, and Griffin ’s second business Emmy in a row for his investigative reports.
# posted by ATN @ 11:00 PM 
AC's First 60 Minutes Report Airs Sunday
Source: New York Daily News Anderson Cooper, the face of CNN, makes his debut on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday, the first of multiple reports Anderson is scheduled to do for the famed newsmagazine.Cooper fronted stories for the now-defunct "60 Minutes II," but the original show is still viewed as the pinnacle of TV journalism and could serve as a tryout of sorts.
"He brings a lot to the table," said "60 Minutes" executive producer Jeff Fager. "We're always looking for the next full-time correspondent who will eventually join us down that road. He's going to show what he can do in the next couple of years. We'll see how it goes. I'm optimistic."
Cooper will interview Abu Ghraib whistleblower Sgt. Joe Darby, who turned over the infamous photos of U.S. soldiers abusing prisoners there. Darby and his wife have not been able to return to their home and are still in hiding.
Cooper's "60 Minutes" stories will air on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" after they appear on CBS. CNN executives granted Cooper permission to appear on "60 Minutes" only if it didn't interfere with his day job, which means Cooper works on the pieces during weekends and vacations, he said. MORE
# posted by ATN @ 1:59 PM
CNN Pipeline Celebrates Year of Unrivaled Live Online Video News Coverage
Source: CNN Press Release This week marks the one-year anniversary of CNN Pipeline, CNN.com’s premium live news video service. Since its launch, CNN Pipeline has distinguished itself as the only online live news video product of its kind by putting the power of CNN Worldwide’s unmatched global newsgathering operation at the fingertips of online news consumers.“Last year, CNN Pipeline created an entirely new category for online news, offering broadband users the ability to cater their experience to meet their specific needs,” said David Payne, senior vice president and general manager of CNN.com. “CNN Pipeline subscribers are able to not only read a story on CNN.com and view video on demand, but also take control of daily news clips, several live streams of breaking news and even video from CNN’s extensive archives. Before CNN Pipeline, such a rich, customizable online video news experience didn’t exist.”
As CNN Pipeline celebrates its first anniversary, CNN.com has provided a one-stop destination at http://www.CNN.com/pipeline/gift/ for holiday shoppers looking for a gift for the news junkies in their lives. Through CNN Pipeline’s new offers, gift certificates can be purchased for $24.95, which can be redeemed for a year of service; $14.95 for a six-month subscription; and $7.95 for three months of CNN Pipeline access.
As the live video complement to CNN.com, the No. 1 news and information site on the web, CNN Pipeline has become the platform online consumers turn to for late-breaking video of the world’s news events. CNN Pipeline has provided live, uninterrupted coverage of a variety of news events over the last year, including:
· President George W. Bush’s 2006 State of the Union address. Coverage included complete live coverage of the State of the Union address from multiple angles; a Democratic response from Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine; a Democratic response from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in Spanish; related reports throughout the day and night from CNN correspondents; and on-demand video of highlights from previous State of the Union addresses;
· Memorial and funeral Services of Coretta Scott King. Coverage included several live views of King’s body lying in state; and live streams of the processional and funeral services;
· Hezbollah-Israel conflict in the Middle East . Coverage included live interviews with correspondents throughout the region; live streams of coverage from Israeli TV, Lebanese Broadcasting Company, Al-Manar TV and Al Arabiya; and
· 2006 midterm elections: Coverage included live commentary from CNN correspondents and analysts of the “Best Political Team on Television”; live commentary from Glenn Beck, who hosts the program Glenn Beck on Headline News, from his radio studio; victory and concession speeches from candidates across the country live in their entirety; select taped segments from these speeches were available for on-demand viewing; and live streaming of the first “CNN E-lection Nite Blog Party,” including reports from CNN’s Internet reporters Jacki Schechner and Abbi Tatton, as well as analysis from some of the attending bloggers.
Additionally, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, CNN Pipeline offered free access worldwide and replayed CNN’s entire coverage from that day in time with how it happened five years prior. On Sept. 11, 2006, more than one million people turned to CNN Pipeline to remember and reflect on the events of that day; and, in turn, CNN.com served more than 8 million video streams that day, the most in its history.
# posted by ATN @ 1:44 PM
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
New Hires and Promotions at CNN
Source: CNN Press Release CNN today promoted two top producers to key editorial positions and hired a veteran news producer as the network prepares its political newsgathering operations for the 2008 elections, it was announced by CNN political director Sam Feist.
As part of the changes, supervising producer Eric Sherling takes over as executive producer of The Situation Room; supervising producer Paul Steinhauser becomes deputy political director and managing editor for politics; and Rick DiBella, a supervising producer for Fox News Sunday, joins CNN as a senior producer of The Situation Room.
“Paul and Eric were instrumental in helping CNN win on Election Night in November,” Feist said. “With these two news veterans in key leadership roles and the addition of Rick to our team, I am more convinced than ever that CNN goes into the 2008 campaign with the best political team on television, both on and off the air.”
“The day after CNN wrapped up its unrivaled coverage of the 2006 midterm elections, we began crafting our strategies for handling the 2008 elections,” said David Bohrman, Washington , D.C. , bureau chief and executive producer in charge of CNN Election Night coverage. “These leadership changes are our first key steps in maintaining CNN as the premiere source of political news.”
Sherling joined CNN in 2000, becoming executive producer of Wolf Blitzer Reports in 2002 and then a supervising producer for The Situation Room when it launched in August 2005. A 20-year veteran at CNN, Steinhauser has produced live breaking news coverage and specials across CNN’s programming. He served as executive producer of CNN’s Inside Politics and as co-executive producer of CNN NewsStand. Like Sherling, Steinhauser was instrumental in the launch of the highly successful political program The Situation Room, for which he was also a supervising producer.
DiBella comes to CNN from Fox News where he has produced Fox News Sunday since 1996.
As part of the changes, supervising producer Eric Sherling takes over as executive producer of The Situation Room; supervising producer Paul Steinhauser becomes deputy political director and managing editor for politics; and Rick DiBella, a supervising producer for Fox News Sunday, joins CNN as a senior producer of The Situation Room.
“Paul and Eric were instrumental in helping CNN win on Election Night in November,” Feist said. “With these two news veterans in key leadership roles and the addition of Rick to our team, I am more convinced than ever that CNN goes into the 2008 campaign with the best political team on television, both on and off the air.”
“The day after CNN wrapped up its unrivaled coverage of the 2006 midterm elections, we began crafting our strategies for handling the 2008 elections,” said David Bohrman, Washington , D.C. , bureau chief and executive producer in charge of CNN Election Night coverage. “These leadership changes are our first key steps in maintaining CNN as the premiere source of political news.”
Sherling joined CNN in 2000, becoming executive producer of Wolf Blitzer Reports in 2002 and then a supervising producer for The Situation Room when it launched in August 2005. A 20-year veteran at CNN, Steinhauser has produced live breaking news coverage and specials across CNN’s programming. He served as executive producer of CNN’s Inside Politics and as co-executive producer of CNN NewsStand. Like Sherling, Steinhauser was instrumental in the launch of the highly successful political program The Situation Room, for which he was also a supervising producer.
DiBella comes to CNN from Fox News where he has produced Fox News Sunday since 1996.
# posted by ATN @ 7:13 PM
Gupta Starts Blog
Source: CNN Press Release Answering the call for more consumer-friendly health and medical news, CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN’s Medical Unit has launched the “Paging Dr. Gupta” blog on CNN.com. The blog, which debuted Monday, Nov. 13, offers be a behind-the-scenes look at the latest medical news stories while providing insights on current health and medical trends.
“Sanjay’s style of reporting is simple, factual and engaging and has earned him credibility with his audience,” said Carol Kinstle, director of CNN’s Medical Unit. “It’s only natural to extend that same rapport across CNN’s digital platforms with the launch of this blog.”
Gupta’s new blog stands as one new feature of a revamped CNN.com Health section, located at CNN.com/HEALTH. The page offers Gupta’s work a more prominent placement with easier access to his videos, podcasts and special reports, which are also available at www.CNN.com/HEALTH/blogs/paging.dr.gupta/. Through partnerships with Heathology, a leading online producer of physician-generated medical and health information, and with MayoClinic.com, an award-winning consumer health and medical information site, CNN.com and the CNN Medical Unit will be able to provide even more health-related news and important, practical health information to viewers and online users.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is senior medical correspondent for the health and medical unit at CNN. Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon and an assistant professor of neurosurgery, plays an integral role in the network’s medical coverage, which includes daily packages, the half-hour weekend show House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and coverage of breaking medical news. Based in Atlanta, he also co-hosts Accent Health for Turner Private Networks, provides medical segments for the syndicated version of ER on TNT, contributes health news stories to CNN.com and writes a column for TIME magazine.
# posted by ATN @ 7:05 PM
Roberts Shines
Media watchers are abuzz today about CNN anchor John Roberts' black eye today. Fishbowl DC says, " That he had a minor procedure as a follow up to basal cell surgery that he had more than a year ago. "John is fine," we are assured by CNN." You'll find the video HERE.I noticed Drudge made a big to do about before the truth came out.
# posted by ATN @ 6:57 PM
CNN to Offer Live Coverage of Discovery Launch On-Air, Online
Source: CNN Press Release As the only broadcast network to air every NASA shuttle launch live, CNN plans to continue that tradition across numerous platforms with live footage both on-air and online of the Space Shuttle Discovery launch on Thursday, Dec. 7. Coverage includes live reports on CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN Radio and CNN Pipeline.The launch marks NASA’s first night launch in nearly four years. NASA had barred such launches following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in order to better monitor any foam-strike incidents like the one that doomed the shuttle’s seven-member crew in 2003. Commanded by astronaut Mark Polansky, this Discovery mission plans to dock with the International Space Station to complete extensive electrical rewiring for new solar arrays and to prepare the station for additional laboratories.
Correspondent John Zarrella, a veteran broadcaster of numerous shuttle launches, will report live from Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the launch beginning at 11 a.m. (ET) on launch day and through the scheduled launch time of 9:35 p.m. (ET) Both Larry King Live on CNN/U.S. and CNN International plan to break into normal programming to air the launch live.
Online, CNN Pipeline, CNN.com’s premium live news video service, also will broadcast the launch live, providing extensive shuttle reports from Zarella, American Morning co-anchor and space correspondent Miles O’Brien and others throughout the day until at least 10 p.m. (ET). At 10:30 a.m. (ET), O’Brien will focus his “MilesCam” program on CNN Pipeline to the shuttle launch. The service also will provide numerous reports and NASA feeds throughout the day.
CNN Radio plans to offer regular shuttle reports on Thursday, Dec. 7, and Friday, Dec. 8. Correspondent Dick Uliano will report live from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on both days. On launch day, CNN Radio will provide one-minute special reports at 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. (ET). A clean feed of the launch audio from NASA will be available to affiliates through NewsLink.
For its affiliates, CNN Newsource will provide numerous live shots from the Kennedy Space Center as well as live reports from Kennedy Space Center.
CNN Student News has prepared a background report to give educators, parents and students an overview about the space shuttle program. The report can be found in “Extra!” located in CNN.com’s Education section at http://www.CNN.com/2005/EDUCATION/08/11/extra.space.shuttle/index.html.
# posted by ATN @ 12:45 PM
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
CNN/I Awarded Cable and Satellite Channel of the Year
Source: CNN Press Release In one of the most ringing independent endorsements seen of an international news network, CNN in the Asia Pacific region scooped an unprecedented five honours including the coveted ‘Cable and Satellite Channel of the Year’ at the prestigious Asian Television Awards held Thursday night in Singapore.
Amongst serious competition from across the region and other international 24-hour news networks, CNN Today was also selected as the 'Best news program', Kristie Lu Stout won the 'Best news presenter or anchor' award, while Stan Grant won for 'Best current affairs presenter' and also for Rising from the Ruins in the 'Best news/current affairs special' category.
“To take home the prestigious ‘Cable and Satellite Channel of the Year’ award on top of four other honours is simply a brilliant achievement and testament to our world class on-air and behind-the-scenes teams across the Asia Pacific region,” said CNN International’s Senior Vice President Rena Golden.
Chris Cramer, Managing Director CNN International added "This success is particularly sweet when you consider the proliferation of competition and the fact that these awards are voted for by our peers. Twenty-one years after we launched, we continue to lead by example.”
The awards success comes off the back of the recent PAX (Pan Asian cross media survey) results which showed that CNN International has rated the number one news channel across Asia Pacific every year for the last ten years. The research showed that CNN also continues to attract a larger audience than all other news and business channels combined across the whole of the Asia Pacific region, retaining 82% more weekly viewers than the second placed channel in this genre and 219% more than the third placed channel.
# posted by ATN @ 10:34 PM
Monday, December 04, 2006
Beck and Grace: Increasing Ratings and Lowering CNN's Standards?
The New York Times has an article today about how Nancy Grace and Glenn Beck have increased the ratings for HLN while at the same time lowering its standards. Below is a portion of the article:
"So far, the experiment is a success. Since his arrival in May, Mr. Beck has increased the ratings in his 7 p.m. time period 60 percent among all viewers, and 84 percent among viewers aged 25 to 54. Ms. Grace has largely retained the triple-digit percentage increases in her time period from the year before.
While the daytime ratings at Headline News have grown a modest 10 percent in that prime demographic since 2004, Headline Prime’s ratings are up 48 percent, although Headline Prime still trails CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, by far the leader.
But with the improved ratings come a question: how can the CNN networks, which are owned by Time Warner, compete with the more opinionated prime-time competition — Fox News and MSNBC, in particular — while preserving their reputation as objective news gatherers?
Mr. Jautz spoke enthusiastically of the “passion and point of view” now present at the network. and compared its role to an op-ed page of a daily newspaper, with CNN representing the objective news pages. Mr. Beck sees the separation between news and opinion at the network as absolute."
"So far, the experiment is a success. Since his arrival in May, Mr. Beck has increased the ratings in his 7 p.m. time period 60 percent among all viewers, and 84 percent among viewers aged 25 to 54. Ms. Grace has largely retained the triple-digit percentage increases in her time period from the year before.
While the daytime ratings at Headline News have grown a modest 10 percent in that prime demographic since 2004, Headline Prime’s ratings are up 48 percent, although Headline Prime still trails CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, by far the leader.
But with the improved ratings come a question: how can the CNN networks, which are owned by Time Warner, compete with the more opinionated prime-time competition — Fox News and MSNBC, in particular — while preserving their reputation as objective news gatherers?
Mr. Jautz spoke enthusiastically of the “passion and point of view” now present at the network. and compared its role to an op-ed page of a daily newspaper, with CNN representing the objective news pages. Mr. Beck sees the separation between news and opinion at the network as absolute."
# posted by ATN @ 8:47 AM
New HLN Set Debuts
Robin and Company is broadcasting this morning from the loooooooong awaited new set. The new set features a lot of blue. Robin sits at a long blue anchor desk with a plasma screen over her right shoulder. R and C had been broadcasting from the CNN/US set during the construction of the set.
# posted by ATN @ 8:40 AM
