Saturday, December 30, 2006
Carol Lin Bids Farewell to CNN Tonight; Lin Speaks About Future Plans
Carol Lin willis anchoringer her last newscast on CNN tonigh. As reported a couple of weeks ago Lin is leaving after tonight's broadcast. Her bio at CNN.com says she started at CNN in 1998 anchoring CNN Early Edition, CNN Live at Daybreak and the former news-magazine program CNN NewsStand. But will be most remembered as being the first cable news anchor on the air with the news when the first plane slammed into the World Trade Center in September 2001.
UPDATE: Tonight was the last night for Carol Lin at the anchor desk. At the end of Saturday night's 10pm edition of NewsRoom, producers and people behind the scenes put together a special video look back at Lin's time at CNN. Lin also spoke about her future plans. She said she will put together a website/blog detailing the struggles her family went through during the time her husband was being for cancer. She said the site will be up on February 14, 2007.
UPDATE: 12/31/06 Below is the transcript of her remarks:
LIN: Oh, wow, that's the first time I've seen that. One of the great writers on my team gave me a card tonight with a photo of a ladder reaching for the heavens. And it reads "And the dreamer began to climb."Nearly four years ago, I just wanted a good war to cover and a chance to tell your story. Well, be careful for what you wish for. I had Kosovo, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and 9/11.And then there was the unexpected battle and the one that I lost. My husband's cancer.So many people have asked me what's next? Well, one of projects is a blog book that will serve as an online investigation into our healthcare system. Who gets the cures and who doesn't and the heroes who held our hands.I hope you're going to Google my name on Valentine's Day. What a great way to celebrate love. To those doctors and nurses and my family, my CNN family, and the Third Street gang out there, a deep and heart felt thank you.But there's still more stories to tell. A check of the hour's headlines after the break. CNN, the most trusted name in news.
# posted by ATN @ 10:03 PM 
Friday, December 29, 2006
Saddam Coverage
Note: 10:06pm ET, CNN reports Saddam Hussein has been executed. FNC had yet to report the news. Ah....at 10:08PM ET FNC reports Saddam Hussein's death.Note: Both channels cited Arabic media as their source.
# posted by ATN @ 10:07 PM
Thursday, December 28, 2006
CNN Offers Live Coverage of Ford Remembrance
Source: CNN Press Release As the official remembrance begins on Friday, Dec. 29, for former President Gerald Ford, CNN will provide extensive live coverage throughout the week of tributes to Ford in California and Michigan , the transport of his body to Washington , D.C. , his body lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda and his memorial service at the National Cathedral on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Throughout Friday, CNN will provide reports from Palm Desert , Calif. , where the Ford family plans to hold a private service at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
On Saturday, Dec. 30, live coverage continues from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as officials transport Ford’s body to Washington , D.C. As ceremonies move to Washington , D.C. , CNN’s live reports resumes at 5 p.m. with a special edition of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Jeff Greenfield anchoring coverage of the landing at Andrews Air Force Base, the procession to the U.S. Capitol, the state funeral at 7 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda and the start of a public viewing.
For Sunday, Dec. 31, CNN will air a special Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Blitzer and Greenfield will anchor the network’s live coverage of the National Cathedral Memorial Service on Tuesday, Jan. 2, beginning at 9 a.m.
Coverage concludes on Wednesday, Jan. 3, in Grand Rapids , Mich. , where Ford’s will lie in state for a public viewing at the Gerald Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Coverage includes a final funeral service at 2 p.m. at Grace Church and internment in a hillside tomb on the grounds of the museum.
Online, CNN.com created a special section dedicated to the former president at http://www.CNN.com/ford. CNN Pipeline, CNN.com’s premium live news video service, will provide extensive live coverage of the tributes, the state funeral, the entire public viewing of Ford’s body lying in state at the U.S. Capitol and the memorial services.
Throughout Friday, CNN will provide reports from Palm Desert , Calif. , where the Ford family plans to hold a private service at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
On Saturday, Dec. 30, live coverage continues from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as officials transport Ford’s body to Washington , D.C. As ceremonies move to Washington , D.C. , CNN’s live reports resumes at 5 p.m. with a special edition of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Jeff Greenfield anchoring coverage of the landing at Andrews Air Force Base, the procession to the U.S. Capitol, the state funeral at 7 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda and the start of a public viewing.
For Sunday, Dec. 31, CNN will air a special Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Blitzer and Greenfield will anchor the network’s live coverage of the National Cathedral Memorial Service on Tuesday, Jan. 2, beginning at 9 a.m.
Coverage concludes on Wednesday, Jan. 3, in Grand Rapids , Mich. , where Ford’s will lie in state for a public viewing at the Gerald Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Coverage includes a final funeral service at 2 p.m. at Grace Church and internment in a hillside tomb on the grounds of the museum.
Online, CNN.com created a special section dedicated to the former president at http://www.CNN.com/ford. CNN Pipeline, CNN.com’s premium live news video service, will provide extensive live coverage of the tributes, the state funeral, the entire public viewing of Ford’s body lying in state at the U.S. Capitol and the memorial services.
# posted by ATN @ 11:49 PM
Earthquake Shakes Things UP in Hong Kong Bureau
This from a tipster: "The earthquake that damaged Taiwan and disrupted Asia caused problems to CNN either. Its normally programming broadcast out of its studios in Hong Kong has been canceled, and they're being anchored from London and Atlanta. Anchors reinforced that the shows weren't being broadcasted from HK because of this problem and experts say that could take at least two weeks to have those cables fixed, but seems that the situation is already getting back to normal."
# posted by ATN @ 1:31 PM
More Americans Chose CNN for Breaking News of Former President's Death
Numbers from TV Newser:
Anderson Cooper 11pm 708,000 viewers/ 323,000 demo
midnight- 779,000 viewers/446,000 demo
1am Larry King Live interview with Ford-464,000 viewers/299,000 demo
FNC special cut-in report (11:48pm - midnight) -737,000 total viewers/ 362,000 demo
12am-596,000 viewers/322,000 demo
1am-369,000 viewers/196,000 demo
MSNBC
11:50pm to 12am- 582,000 total viewers/274,000 demo
12am- 448,000 viewers/184,000 demo
1am- 291,000 viewers/159,000 demo
Anderson Cooper 11pm 708,000 viewers/ 323,000 demo
midnight- 779,000 viewers/446,000 demo
1am Larry King Live interview with Ford-464,000 viewers/299,000 demo
FNC special cut-in report (11:48pm - midnight) -737,000 total viewers/ 362,000 demo
12am-596,000 viewers/322,000 demo
1am-369,000 viewers/196,000 demo
MSNBC
11:50pm to 12am- 582,000 total viewers/274,000 demo
12am- 448,000 viewers/184,000 demo
1am- 291,000 viewers/159,000 demo
# posted by ATN @ 1:13 PM
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Larry King Live Remembers Gerald Ford
Source: CNN Press Release Larry King hosts a special panel for Larry King Live tonight to remember former President Gerald Ford, who died Tuesday, Dec. 26, at the age of 93.The panel includes Carl Sferrazza Anthony, a presidential historian and author of nine books; Hal Bruno, an ABC News political director for 19 years who covered every presidential election since 1960; Tom DeFrank, Washington bureau chief for New York Daily News who first covered Ford in 1973; Alexander Haig, chief of staff during the Ford administration; John McLaughlin, speechwriter and special assistant to Ford; and Bob Woodward of the Washington Post.
# posted by ATN @ 3:39 PM
Meade to Interview Troops, Base Personnel for Week-Long Series on Robin & Company
Source: CNN Press Release Headline News anchor Robin Meade will visit Fort Campbell, Ky., on Jan. 5, 2007, to interview soldiers, their families and military officials at the U.S. Army base for Robin & Company’s featured segments, “Salute the Troops.” The daily military salute offers U.S. military men and women stationed anywhere in the world the opportunity to be recognized. Fort Campbell ’s salutes will air during Robin & Company the week of Jan. 15, 2007.
In conjunction with CNN’s visit, Warrior One – a Hummer used by the network while embedded during the Iraq War and refurbished by the crew of TLC’s Overhaulin program – will be on display in front of the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital beginning at 8 a.m. In the afternoon, Warrior One will move over to the base’s PX facility where Meade will be available for a meet and greet with soldiers and base personnel.
In conjunction with CNN’s visit, Warrior One – a Hummer used by the network while embedded during the Iraq War and refurbished by the crew of TLC’s Overhaulin program – will be on display in front of the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital beginning at 8 a.m. In the afternoon, Warrior One will move over to the base’s PX facility where Meade will be available for a meet and greet with soldiers and base personnel.
# posted by ATN @ 3:37 PM
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
The Official PR: CNN Plans to Ring in 2007 with a Mix of Music and Entertainment
Source: CNN Press Release CNN’s Anderson Cooper will host live coverage of the New Year’s Eve celebration at New York City ’s Times Square on Sunday, Dec. 31, from 11 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (ET). For “New Year’s Live with Anderson Cooper,” CNN anchors and correspondents will provide reports from celebrations across the country and around the world, including Sean Callebs in New Orleans; Robin Meade, anchor of Robin & Company on Headline News, in Chicago; Kyra Phillips from Time Square; Rick Sanchez in San Antonio and John Zarrella in Key West, Fla.
The program will feature musical performances from the Killers in Los Angeles; the B-52s in Atlantic City, N.J.; the Goo Goo Dolls in Anaheim, Calif.; Sister Hazel in Orlando , Fla. ; Montgomery Gentry in Lexington , Ky. ; Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New York; Lionel Richie, Smash Mouth, OK Go and Rockstar: Supernova, all in Las Vegas; Nelly Furtado in Mumbai, India; and Scissor Sisters in Berlin.
During the program, Cooper will reveal the winner of the Anderson Cooper 360° “Keeping Them Honest in ‘06” contest. Based on the program’s weekly segment “Keeping Them Honest,” the contest allows viewers to submit nominations for citizens who challenged authorities to do the right thing this year. Viewers may vote on the submissions beginning Thursday, Dec. 28, by visiting the Anderson Cooper 360° Web site at http://www.CNN.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/
The program will feature musical performances from the Killers in Los Angeles; the B-52s in Atlantic City, N.J.; the Goo Goo Dolls in Anaheim, Calif.; Sister Hazel in Orlando , Fla. ; Montgomery Gentry in Lexington , Ky. ; Preservation Hall Jazz Band in New York; Lionel Richie, Smash Mouth, OK Go and Rockstar: Supernova, all in Las Vegas; Nelly Furtado in Mumbai, India; and Scissor Sisters in Berlin.
During the program, Cooper will reveal the winner of the Anderson Cooper 360° “Keeping Them Honest in ‘06” contest. Based on the program’s weekly segment “Keeping Them Honest,” the contest allows viewers to submit nominations for citizens who challenged authorities to do the right thing this year. Viewers may vote on the submissions beginning Thursday, Dec. 28, by visiting the Anderson Cooper 360° Web site at http://www.CNN.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/
# posted by ATN @ 10:17 PM
Ring in The New Year With AC
Looks like Anderson Cooper will once again do the honors of bringing in 2007 for CNN. The Northwest Indiana Times has an article about AC in its Tuesday edition:"New York's Times Square keeps getting more and more crowded for the New Year.
And that observation also includes the amount of live television broadcast personalities hosting their own individual live countdowns.
Although it's usually Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest on ABC who seem to be the duo who gets the most attention, don't forget CNN's Anderson Cooper has been doing the same duties for his cable news network since 2002, which is practically an entire year before his breakout fame as the host of his own CNN show "Anderson Cooper 360."
I think it's especially important to give Cooper some praise, considering he spends much of his year tackling some of the most heart-wrenching world news topics, which takes him on location around the world most of the year and away from his own family in New York.
In light of the many emotionally draining stories this man faces most of the rest of the year, it's nice to see Cooper covering one of the most exciting world celebrations of the year."
# posted by ATN @ 1:48 AM
Monday, December 25, 2006
TV Critic: "CBS chose to make Katie Couric "anchormom," and that was a bad decision."
One of the topics on Sunday's edition of Reliabe Sources was the evolution of network newscasts. Joining Howard Kurtz was Gail Shister, television columnist for "The Philadelphia Inquirer," Eric Deggans, media critic for "The St. Petersburg Times," and David Zurawik, television critic for "The Baltimore Sun." Below is an excerpt from the program in which Katie Couric was the topic:KURTZ: But I can't help but be struck, Gail Shister, by all of the flak that Katie Couric gets -- far more than the other anchors. And she recently told Esquire that the critics are after her and some people are rooting for her to fail. What do you make of that?
SHISTER: I think some people are rooting for her to fail, and I don't think it's because she's a woman; it's because -- part of it is the money that she's making -- estimated $15 million a year -- and there's a lot of resentment about that.
KURTZ: The jealousy factor.
SHISTER: Yes, jealousy factor. Part of it, I think, is because she's gotten so much publicity and it's so clear that CBS is making her the center of their solar system, that I think there's some envy there. And she's under the microscope partly because CBS put her there, with this extraordinary promotional campaign. And some of the shots, I think, are fair, some are unfair. Her ratings are not strong; her ratings in November, during the sweeps, were actually lower than what Bob Schieffer had gotten a year before. So CBS has got to be concerned. The party line there has always been, This is a marathon, not a sprint, but they have to be worried.
I should bring something up that David just said -- he referred to Katie as "an unhappy mom," and that was very interesting, what you said, David, because she has been positioned as "the mom," when in fact, Brian Williams is a dad, and Charlie Gibson is a dad and a grandfather. So --
ZURAWIK: I agree. That's one of the mistakes they made. That's what I meant when I said, they made a few mistakes.
KURTZ: Wait a minute! Wait a minute! She IS a mom, she talks about her family, she shares more of herself, I think, than we're used to at night. Why is that a bad thing?
ZURAWIK: That's an artificial persona that they've crafted. They don't have to emphasize --
KURTZ: But why do you say it's a bad thing?
ZURAWIK: -- she doesn't have to emphasize --
KURTZ: Why do you say it's artificial?
ZURAWIK: I'm saying, they could emphasize other aspects of her. CBS chose to make her "anchormom," and that was a bad decision.
# posted by ATN @ 12:28 PM
Gupta Getting Plenty of Offers; Staying Put at CNN
In an article in the DC Post, CNN Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta says despite several offers from broadcast networks, he's staying put at CNN. Below is an excerpt from the article by Howard Kurtz:"But five years after CNN hired him as a medical correspondent with no previous TV experience, Gupta had full-time job offers from several broadcast networks. He signed a part-time deal this month with CBS News while remaining at CNN."
"When CBS News President Sean McManus learned that Gupta was not willing to leave CNN, he worked out a sharing arrangement, similar to one in which CNN's Anderson Cooper contributes to "60 Minutes." Gupta says that he is eager to reach a wider audience but that his seduction by the bright lights will go only so far."
# posted by ATN @ 10:35 AM
