CNN has acquired technology company Zite, a news app for the iPad that gives users a personalized magazine-like experience, it was announced today by Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide. -- CNN has added Zite to its already robust portfolio of digital products as a separate, stand-alone business that will continue to innovate and provide users with the news and information they want.
Zite is an iPad app that leverages deeper technology to provide an individually personalized experience. Zite surfaces content to users that they will find most interesting from a variety of sources across the Web by learning users' preferences and getting smarter as it's used.
CEO Mark Johnson will continue to run Zite's day-to-day operations out of headquarters in San Francisco and will report to KC Estenson. Founder Ali Davar will stay on board as Executive Director. Mike Klass will continue to lead Zite's technology R&D as CTO. Zite will be a wholly owned subsidiary of CNN.
Available for free on the iPad, users can download Zite from the App Store or iTunes. Quotes: Attributable to KC Estenson, general manager of CNN Digital: "Zite represents the next generation of content discovery and personalized publishing and CNN wants to help lead in that space. We think we can advance the industry in a meaningful way that helps content creators grow their businesses while growing the distribution of a product that people already love. Zite's technology can also be used to help CNN's Websites and apps serve more personalized content, making our current digital services even better."
To read more follow the link to Newsday.com.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
CNN Aquires Zite
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
August Numbers Are In For CNN
CNN GROWS AN IMPRESSIVE +55% IN M-F PRIMETIME IN AUGUST COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO
CNN’s AC360 TOPS MSNBC AT 8PM IN P25-54 AND IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND THE DEMO AT 10PM
CNN TOPS MSNBC IN TOTAL DAY IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND AMONG KEY DEMO 25-54
In August, CNN continued to post significant year-over-year ratings gains, growing more than any cable news network, increasing +55% in M-F primetime (232k vs. 150k). In addition, CNN tied for second with MSNBC in M-F primetime among P25-54 (232k vs. 232k).
CNN outperformed MSNBC in total day (6a-6a) among both total viewers (540k vs. 429k) and in the key demo 25-54 (189k vs. 143k). CNN grew the most in other key dayparts as well, increasing +63% in total day (189k vs. 116k) and +48% during the daytime in the key demo (173k vs. 117k) compared to last year.
Since AC 360 launched on August 8 at 8 pm, the program has delivered 219k in the key demo 25-54, a +74% increase over year ago programming (126k), a +44% increase vs. last month’s 152k and a 30% increase vs. CNN’s 8pm programming during the second quarter (168k).
Another One Bites the Dust? Jeanne Meserve
Monday, August 29, 2011
Ratings for the week of August 22, 2011
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^ Courtesy Nielsen Media Research; Demographics where noted; Live + Same Day (LS) Fast Track Nationals.
Nancy Grace Joins Dancing with the Stars
Nancy Grace
"The Courtroom Queen"
An outspoken, tireless advocate for victims' rights and one of TV's most respected legal analysts, Nancy Grace is the powerful force behind HLN's top-rated show that bears her name. Now she hopes to make an equally powerful impact in the ballroom on Dancing With The Stars!
A former prosecutor with an unparalleled record of success, Nancy's life changed forever in 1979 when her fiancé, Keith Griffin, was shot and killed. Nancy abandoned plans to become an English professor and turned to criminal justice.
Nancy's first book, Objection!, became an instant New York Times bestseller, as did her two subsequent novels, The Eleventh Victim and Death on the D-List. A television movie adaptation of The Eleventh Victim is currently in development.
Nancy Grace initially came to TV from the Atlanta Fulton County District Attorney's Office, where she served over a decade as a felony prosecutor of violent crimes. Known for her authentic sensibility and her firebrand take on the justice system, she was tapped to co- host Court TV's Cochran and Grace and, later, the live daily trial coverage program, Closing Arguments. Nancy, her husband and her twins reside in Atlanta and New York City, and all of her earnings from Dancing with the Stars will benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Nice.
Photo Credit: Peter Ross / CNN
CNN Dialogues
CNN, the James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference at Emory University, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights have joined together to launch CNN Dialogues, a series of public discussions featuring prominent figures debating the major issues that define our times. CNN’s lead political anchor and anchor of The Situation Room Wolf Blitzer will moderate the inaugural program on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 7:00pm ET at The Cecil B. Day Chapel of The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This first public forum will focus on the U.S. Census and the impact of the nation’s changing demographics upon who we are and how we live, examining our national identity, economy, politics, and the view of America in the broader world.
For the inaugural program, “CNN Dialogues: The 2010 Census and a New America,” Mr. Blitzer will facilitate a discussion with author Heidi Durrow (The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, 2011); attorney, host of PBS’ America Revealed, and winner of television’s Survivor: Cook Islands, Yul Kwon; University of Maryland sociology and demography professor Dr. Kris Marsh; actor Edward James Olmos; and Emory University American Studies professor Dr. Dana White. The on-stage discussion will include questions and comments from the audience. Tickets for this program are $25 and may be purchased online at www.emory.edu/cnndialogues, or by calling the James Weldon Johnson Institute: 404.727.2515, or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights: 404.991.6988. Profits from ticket sales will support the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference at Emory University.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Nic Robertson Tracks Down Lockerbie Bomber
CNN Exclusive/Nic Robertson
Nic Robertson has been looking for the man convicted of the 1988 PanAm 103 bombing, Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, and tracked him down today in Libya.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Your Views on the News 8/26/11
It's going to be a busy news weekend at CNN with Irene battering the East Coast. Let us know who you're watching, what you like and don't like..... and above all stay safe.
Hurricane Irene Special Coverage
CNN reporters deployed for Hurricane Irene:
Aaron Brodie New York, NY @aabrodie
Susan Candiotti Smith Point, NY @susancandiotti
Jason Carroll Point Pleasant, NY @jasoncarrollcnn
Jacqui Jeras CNN Weather Center @JacquiJeras
Athena Jones Annapolis, MD @AthenaCNN
Rob Marciano New York @robmaricanoCNN
David Mattingly Kill Devil Hills, NC
Jeanne Meserve Ocean City, MD @JMeserveCNN
Chad Myers CNN Weather Center @chadmyersCNN
Rafael Romo Kill Devil Hills, NC @RafaelRomoCNN
Mary Snow New York, NY @MarySnowCNN
Jim Spellman Nassau, Bahamas @jimspellmanCNN
Gary Tuchman Boston, MA @GaryTuchmanCNN
Chris Welch Ocean City, MD @cwelchCNN
Reynolds Wolf Kill Devil Hills, NC @ReynoldsWolfCNN
John Zarrella Atlantic Beach, NC @CNNzarrella
Programming Schedule:
Saturday, August 26
6a.m. to 12p.m CNN Newsroom with T.J. Holmes
12p.m. to 5p.m. CNN Newsroom with Fredricka Whitfield
5p.m. to 8p.m. Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer Hurricane Special
8p.m. to 12a.m. CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips and Martin Savidge
Sunday, August 28
5a.m. to 9a.m. CNN Newsroom with T.J. Holmes
9a.m. to 10a.m. State of the Union with Candy Crowley
10a.m. to 12p.m. CNN Newsroom with T.J. Holmes
12p.m. to 1p.m. State of the Union with Candy Crowley (Live)
1p.m. to 6p.m. CNN Newsroom with Fredricka Whitfield
6p.m. to 12 a.m. CNN Newsroom with Randi Kaye and Martin Savidge
Thursday, August 25, 2011
CNN to Broadcast HBO Series 24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz
HBO’s Emmy-Award®-winning reality series ‘24/7’ is coming to CNN, which will air replays of the all-new four-part series MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ, beginning Saturday, August 27 at midnight ET/PT.
In the lead-up to the blockbuster HBO Pay-Per-View® telecast on September 17 in Las Vegas when Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz battle for Ortiz’s world welterweight title, CNN will present the all-access, behind-the-scenes pass that allows viewers to step into the lives of the fighters before they step into the ring. Mayweather lives and trains in Las Vegas, NV, while Ortiz is based in his hometown of Ventura, CA.
34-year-old Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) is a celebrated superstar making his fifth appearance on the series. Ortiz, 24, (29-2-2, 22 KOs) exploded into the forefront of boxing last April when he captured a world welterweight title. This is his first appearance on ‘24/7.’
Episode one will air on CNN on Saturday, August 27 at midnight ET/PT, following the HBO premiere at 10p ET/PT. Episode two will air on CNN on Saturday, September 3 at 12 midnight ET/PT. Finally, episodes three and four will air back-to-back on CNN on Friday, September 16 at 12 midnight ET/PT, less than 24 hours before the mega-fight in Las Vegas.
In the past four years, HBO’s 24/7 franchise has earned 14 Sports Emmys® for production excellence, making it the most honored sports series on television since its inception. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, the fast-moving, documentary-styled production focuses on the training, commitment and sacrifices that prizefighters make in order to realize their dreams. The turnaround time is among the quickest in television as the series follows the fighters and their teams both at camp and at home as excitement and anxiety builds for the big fight.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Coverage of the MLK Monument Dedication
CNN’s chief political correspondent and anchor Candy Crowley, anchor T.J. Holmes and anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien will anchor live coverage of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial dedication in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, August 28th. Also reporting from the memorial will be D.C.-based correspondent Athena Jones.
Beginning at 6a.m. (ET), Holmes will anchor CNN Newsroom from Washington, D.C. From 9a.m. to 1p.m. (ET), Crowley anchors a special edition of State of the Union. CNN’s coverage of the dedication ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. (ET).
CNN will broadcast Freedom’s Foot Soldiers: A Conversation with T.J. Holmes Saturday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). Holmes exclusively interviews Dr. King’s friends together in the basement of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta to reflect on the life of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement then and now. In the very revealing, sometimes emotional interview with Juanita Abernathy, Xernona Clayton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, U.S. Representative John Lewis (D-GA), Rev. Joseph Lowery and former U.N. Ambassador Dr. Andrew Young, these “living legends” spoke of Dr. King’s desire to quit the movement and concentrate on writing and preaching, and the message the monument sends.
On Sunday, August 28 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. (ET), CNN will air the documentary MLK: Words That Changed A Nation, reported by O’Brien. For this documentary, O’Brien interviewed Dr. King’s closest confidants, including Dr. Young, Rep. Lewis, and activist Dorothy Cotton, for their behind-the-scenes insights into many of the historic events of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. They discuss the arrest of Rosa Parks, Dr. King’s win of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and Dr. King’s time in a Birmingham jail for his participation in a nonviolent protest for civil rights. MLK: Words That Changed A Nation includes an examination of Dr. King’s private library of papers, letters, and speeches that reveal his personal philosophy and theology, as well as his doubts and fears – as he and those around him created a peaceful revolution that forever changed America.
Leading up to this historic memorial dedication, CNN will broadcast coverage through the day, entitled Building the Dream beginning Thursday, August 25, with interviews from the witnesses of the assassination of Dr. King; a conversation with the survivors of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing (an attack that killed four girls in Birmingham, Alabama); a sneak peek of the collection being compiled for The National Museum of African American History and Culture; a look at the women behind the Civil Rights Movement; and the personal side of Dr. King from the eyes of his driver and personal assistant Tom Houck.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
CNN Weekend Ratings
Libya coverage ratings for Sunday, August 21:
CNN was live on Sunday beginning at 2 pm, ET. Matthew Chance reported from Libya around 2:15 pm and CNN/U.S. and CNN International began its co-production at 6:00 pm, ET and continued thru 6:00 am, ET the following morning.
From 6:00 pm, ET to midnight:
CNN topped FNC and MSNBC in the key demo 25-54 – outperforming Fox News by +27% and MSNBC by +86%.
CNN had a +128% advantage over MSNBC in total viewers.
CNN: 246k demo 25-54 (701k total viewers)
FNC: 194k demo 25-54 (950k total viewers)
MSNBC: 132K demo 25-54 (308 total viewers)
From 8:00 pm, ET to midnight:
CNN outperformed FNC and MSNBC in the demo -- topping Fox New by +30% and MSNBC by +158%.
CNN had an impressive +170% lead over MSNBC in total viewers.
CNN: 250k demo 25-54 (717 total viewers)
FNC: 192k demo 25-54 (870 total viewers)
MSNBC: 97k demo 25-54 (266 total viewers)
Ratings For The Week of August 15th - August 19th
Rating calculations are weekly averages based on nightly ratings provided by TVNewser with data by Nielsen Media Research. Numbers reflect Live and same day (DVR) data.
Continuing Libya Coverage on CNN
CNN is going into co-production with Suzanne Malveaux and Michael Holmes anchoring together regarding Libya breaking news.
To follow CNN reporters in Libya:
Sara Sidner (@sarasidnercnn)
Matthew Chance (@mchancecnn)
Arwa Damon (@arwacnn)
Fred Pleitgen (@fpleitgencnn)
Monday, August 22, 2011
Chance's Encounter with Gadhafi's Son
CNN's Matthew Chance talks about his recent encounter with Saif al-Islam Gadhafi outside the Rixos hotel.
He tweeted "Here's the picture I took sitting next to Saif Gadafi"
And he filed this report:
Sunday, August 21, 2011
CNN Simulcasts Libya News Overnight
8pm – Midnight ET Wolf Blitzer, Hala Gorani and Michael Holmes
Midnight – 1amET Jonathan Mann and Manisha Tank
1am – 2am ET Jonathan Mann and Rosemary Church
2am – 3am ET Rosemary Church
3am – 4am ET Jon Vause
4am – 5am ET Charles Hodson and Andrew Stevens
5am – 6am ET Carol Costello and Zain Verjee
Friday, August 19, 2011
This Weekend's Programming 8/20/11
SATURDAY, August 20, 2011
SANJAY GUPTA, MD – Airs Saturday & Sunday 7:30AM – 8:00AM
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports from Havana on Cuba’s medical system – and international outreaches to other nations with ‘medical diplomacy’. Also included are an interview with former President Bill Clinton on the dietary change he made which he feels positively impacted his heart disease, and a roundup of the training, competition and lessons learned by the CNN Fit Nation ‘six pack’ of triathletes now that their big first race is now history.
THE SITUATION ROOM WITH WOLF BLITZER – Airs Saturday 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Topic: Wolf Blitzer’s interview with President Obama in Peosta, Iowa. In the one-on-one interview, on the second day of the president’s bus tour across the Midwest, Blitzer and the president discussed a variety of topics from domestic economic and international issues to 2012 politics.
Anchor: Wolf Blitzer
BATTLE FOR BLAIR MOUNTAIN: WORKING IN AMERICA – Saturday 8:00PM-9:00PM, 11:00PM – 12:00AM, 2:00AM – 3:00AM
CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien reports on a battle that is dividing communities in West Virginia and beyond. On one side are coal miners, their families, and the mining industry who are collectively supportive of mountain top removal – a destructive, yet highly-effective form of strip mining. On the other side of this debate is a mix of interests: community activists, environmentalists, and the EPA feel mountaintop removal threatens the environment; and still others feel the practice threatens future coal mining. All sides feel their arguments support a way of life that has existed for generations. With nearly 50 percent of America’s relatively inexpensive electrical power still coming from coal, it’s a battle whose outcome affects everyone.
SUNDAY, August 21, 2011
SANJAY GUPTA, MD – Airs Saturday & Sunday 7:30AM – 8:00AM
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports from Havana on Cuba’s medical system – and international outreaches to other nations with ‘medical diplomacy’. Also included are an interview with former President Bill Clinton on the dietary change he made which he feels positively impacted his heart disease, and a roundup of the training, competition and lessons learned by the CNN Fit Nation ‘six pack’ of triathletes now that their big first race is now history.
STATE OF THE UNION WITH CANDY CROWLEY – Airs LIVE Sunday 9:00AM – 10:00AM, NOON – 1:00PM
Topics: Obama’s Campaign Strategy; Economy; 2012 GOP Candidates
Guest: David Axelrod, senior strategist, Obama re-election campaign
Topics: Leaders of Governor Associations Talk State Economies and 2012
Guest: Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA), Republican Governors Association Chair
Guest: Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-MD) Democratic Governors Association Chair
Topic: President Obama and the Black Community
Guest: Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), member, Congressional Black Caucus
Topic: Economy
Guest: Greg Ip, U.S. economics editor, The Economist
Guest: Chrystia Freeland, digital editor, Thomson Reuters
Anchor: Candy Crowley
FAREED ZAKARIA GPS – Airs Sunday 10:00AM – 11:00AM and 1:00PM – 2:00PM
Topic: Economic crises rock the world: what’s the future of Europe and the Euro? Was there an economic cause for the UK riots? What will fix the U.S. economy? What’s the state of the U.S. economy? What will fix what ails it?
Guest: Rana Foroohar, assistant managing editor, TIME magazine
Guest: Richard N. Haass, PhD, president of the Council on Foreign Relations
Guest: Jeffrey Sachs, PhD, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University
Guest: Andrew Roberts, British author and historian
Topic: Al-Qaeda and global security post-bin Laden: What is the state of al-Qaeda today? Does the U.S. have more to fear from ‘lone wolves?’ As we approach the tenth anniversary of 9/11/2001, are we more or less safe than we were then?
Guest: John Miller, former deputy director, Analysis Division of the office of the Director of National Intelligence; former journalist
Anchor: Fareed Zakaria
RELIABLE SOURCES – Airs LIVE 11:00AM – NOON
Topic: Coverage of Gov. Rick Perry’s Presidential Bid, Treason Comments
Guest: Matt Lewis, TheDailyCaller.com
Guest: Christina Bellantoni, Roll Call
Guest: David Sirota, Radio Show Host
Topic: New York Times Columnist to Form Third Political Party?
Guest: Thomas Friedman, The New York Times
Host: Howard Kurtz
DR SANJAY GUPTA REPORTS: THE LAST HEART ATTACK – Sunday 8:00PM – 9:00PM, 11:00PM – 12:00AM, 2:00AM – 3:00AM
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta investigates whether diet and modern medicine are enough to prevent every heart attack -- and if living a healthier lifestyle could save more than 100,000 lives every year in the U.S. alone. Dr. Gupta interviews former President Bill Clinton, who credits his vegan diet with his improved heart disease, and doctors researching the latest treatments. Dr. Gupta also puts his own heart under the microscope as to offer practical advice and hard science to show how healthy living could reduce heart disease. Includes interviews with Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Arthur Agatston (author of The South Beach Diet), for insights on how diet impacts heart disease – and how heart disease may be reversible with better nutrition.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Wolf Blitzer's Interview with Pres. Obama
Wolf Blitzer's interview with President Obama aired on Tuesday's The Situation Room.
To see more of the interview follow the link.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Ratings For The Week of August 8th - August 12th
Rating calculations are weekly averages based on nightly ratings provided by TVNewser with data by Nielsen Media Research. Numbers reflect Live and same day (DVR) data.
CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to Interview President Barack Obama
The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer will broadcast live from Iowa today, Monday, August 15 and Blitzer’s interview with President Obama will air tomorrow, Tuesday, August 16, during The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer 5-7 p.m. ET.
Blitzer is CNN’s lead political anchor and the anchor of CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, which airs weekdays 5-7 p.m. and Saturday evenings 6-7 p.m. on both CNN International and CNN. Throughout Blitzer’s career, he has interviewed some of history's most notable figures, including former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.
Friday, August 12, 2011
This Weekend's Programming 8/13/11
SATURDAY, August 13, 2011
SANJAY GUPTA, MD –Saturday from 7:30AM – 8:00AM
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta anchors from the Somalian refugee camps along the border of Kenya and Somalia on the unfolding humanitarian crisis there. Among the people he speaks with are a family that walked for over a month with three sick children to reach the camps – who were also robbed just prior to reaching relative safety. Dr. Gupta also interviews relief worker and former journalist Canadian Amanda Lindhout who was held in captivity in Somalia for 15 months, beginning in 2008 about her dedication to the nation, and why she has founded a nonprofit to bring aid to Somalians.
THE SITUATION ROOM WITH WOLF BLITZER – Airs Saturday 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Topic: Special countdown to results of the Iowa Straw Poll with Don Lemon and Candy Crowley live from Ames, Iowa.
Anchor: Wolf Blitzer
CNN Newsroom – Airs LIVE Saturday from Ames, Iowa 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Topic: Special Coverage as Iowa Straw Poll results are announced
Anchor: Don Lemon
Anchor: Candy Crowley
CNN PRESENTS – Airs Saturday 8:00PM – 9:00PM, 11:00PM- MIDNIGHT and 2:00AM-3:00AM
CNN investigative correspondent Kaj Larsen visits the U.S. Coast Guard’s Station Golden Gate, the busiest surf rescue station on the West Coast, near San Francisco, which averages over 600 search and rescue cases per year. The summer action-comedy film 30 Minutes of Less, about a kidnapped pizza delivery guy who is strapped with a bomb to his chest and told to rob a bank, is loosely based on a much more complicated true crime mystery. Investigative correspondent Drew Griffin reports on the not so humorous story behind the movie premise. CNN’s Poppy Harlow reports on what may be precedent-setting lawsuits over celebrity merchandising, involving former teen idol David Cassidy and five of the stars of the TV classic Happy Days, Don Most, Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Erin Moran and the widow of actor Tom Bosley. Their characters inspired memorabilia from t-shirts, lunch boxes, and dolls to DVDs and slot machines, received scant profits from the wide use of their likenesses. Harlow interviews them about whether they were cheated out of millions promised in their contracts with CBS Studios.
SUNDAY, August 14, 2011
SANJAY GUPTA, MD – Sunday 7:30AM – 8:00AM
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta anchors from the Somalian refugee camps along the border of Kenya and Somalia on the unfolding humanitarian crisis there. Among the people he speaks with are a family that walked for over a month with three sick children to reach the camps – who were also robbed just prior to reaching relative safety. Dr. Gupta also interviews relief worker and former journalist Canadian Amanda Lindhout who was held in captivity in Somalia for 15 months, beginning in 2008 about her dedication to the nation, and why she has founded a nonprofit to bring aid to Somalians.
STATE OF THE UNION WITH CANDY CROWLEY – Airs LIVE from Ames, Iowa Sunday 9:00AM – 10:00AM and NOON – 1:00PM
Topic: Iowa Straw Poll Results, 2012 Race
Guest: Rep. Michele Bachmann, GOP presidential candidate
Topic: Iowa Straw Poll Results, 2012 Race
Guest: Herman Cain, GOP presidential candidate
Topic: Iowa’s Role for GOP in 2012
Guest: Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa)
Topic: Iowa Straw Poll Results, Week in Politics
Guest: Philip Rucker, The Washington Post
Guest: Neil King, The Wall Street Journal
Anchor: Candy Crowley
FAREED ZAKARIA GPS – Airs 10:00AM – 11:00AM and 1:00PM – 2:00PM
Topic: Does the S&P downgrade matter? Is U.S. government debt really a problem? What’s the way out of our economic troubles – spending, saving, taxing, cutting? Why does Paul Krugman think we need the threat of a “space alien” attack?
Guest: Paul Krugman, columnist, The New York Times and professor of Economics & International Affairs, Princeton University; Nobel laureate in economics
Guest: Kenneth Rogoff, PhD, professor of economics and public policy at Harvard University
Topic: The London riots: what has caused them? Who are the rioters? What are the solutions?
Guest: Theodore Dalrymple, physician and former prison psychiatrist
Guest: David Goodhart, columnist, founder of Prospect magazine
Topic: Pakistan post-Bin Laden: Is there any extant relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. today? Just how bad is it? Is it salvageable? What will fix it?
Guest: Ahmed Rashid, author of Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia and Taliban
Anchor: Fareed Zakaria
RELIABLE SOURCES – Airs LIVE 11:00AM – NOON
Topic: Iowa Straw Poll and Newsweek’s Michele Bachmann Cover
Guest: Jackie Kucinich, USA Today
Guest: Roger Simon, Politico
Guest: Jennifer Rubin, The Washington Post
Guest: Stephanie Miller, Syndicated radio talk show host
Topic: Texas Gov. Rick Perry enters the GOP presidential race
Guest: Wayne Slater, Dallas Morning News
Topic: Coverage of the Market’s Bad Week
Guest: Felix Salmon, Thomson Reuters
Topic: Remaking Current TV
Guest: David Bohrman, president of Current TV
Host: Howard Kurtz
Battle for Blair Mountain: Working in America – Airs Sunday 8:00PM – 9:000PM, 11:00PM – MIDNIGHT and 2:00 AM- 3:00AM
CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien reports on a battle that is dividing communities in West Virginia and beyond. On one side are coal miners, their families, and the mining industry who are collectively supportive of mountain top removal – a destructive, yet highly-effective form of strip mining. On the other side of this debate is a mix of interests: community activists, environmentalists, and the EPA feel mountaintop removal threatens the environment; and still others feel the practice threatens future coal mining. All sides feel their arguments support a way of life that has existed for generations. With nearly 50 percent of America’s relatively inexpensive electrical power still coming from coal, it’s a battle whose outcome affects everyone.
Anderson Cooper Talks with Bono, Iman & K'naan About Somalia
Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper spent 3 days this week in Africa reporting on the famine and its victims. Here are two interviews Cooper did with celebrities who are involved in the relief effort.
CNN From Iowa This Weekend
CNN reporters on the ground in NH and SC
As the GOP presidential candidates gather in Iowa for the much anticipated straw poll, CNN will have its political team on the ground to report throughout the weekend. Friday CNN anchors Candy Crowley and Don Lemon begin reporting from the caucus state. Deputy political director Paul Steinhauser and reporters Peter Hamby and Shannon Travis are already on the ground reporting from the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
Also beginning Friday, August 12, CNN’s political correspondent Jim Acosta will report live from the primary state of South Carolina. Senior political editor Mark Preston will report live from New Hampshire covering candidates as they campaign in the “first-in-the-nation” presidential primary state, where Governors Huntsman, Perry and Romney are scheduled for events this weekend.
On Saturday, August 13, as results of the straw poll are announced, anchor Don Lemon along with Candy Crowley will provide live updates on a special edition of CNN Newsroom at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. from the campus of Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa. CNN’s Jim Acosta also will cover the latest developments at the RedState.org gathering in South Carolina, where Perry is expected to signal his presidential intentions.
On Sunday, chief political correspondent Candy Crowley will anchor State of the Union live from Ames, Iowa at 9 a.m. and again at noon. Rep. Michele Bachmann will be a guest on State of the Union.
All content, unless otherwise cited, is © All Things CNN and may not be used without consent of the blog administrator.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Battle for Blair Mountain with Soledad O'Brien
Battle for Blair Mountain: Working in America airs Sunday, August 14 at 8:00pm ET & PT on CNN/U.S.
Sharples, West Virginia – population: around 100 people – is ground zero in the fight over an issue of importance to every American who has ever plugged in a computer, watched a television or taken a hot shower. Around 50 percent of electrical power in the United States is produced by coal. Across the nation, a schism that separates pro-coal and pro-environment movements over mountaintop removal, a destructive yet highly effective form of strip mining, is deepening.
CNN documents the intense struggle over mountaintop removal in Battle for Blair Mountain: Working in America, debuting on Sunday, August 14 at 8:00pm ET and PT, with a replay on Saturday, August 20. Anchor and Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien examines the fight over Spruce One, the largest ever proposed mountaintop removal site in the U.S. When O’Brien’s team first arrived in Sharples, W.V., nearly everyone in Appalachia was waiting to see if the Environmental Protection Agency was going to allow Spruce One’s permit to proceed, citing Clean Water Act violations.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Jautz Interview
Ad Age did a 'Fast Chat' with CNN head honcho Ken Jautz this week and we thought you might want to share with us your opinion of his talking points.
Adweek: So what’s the plan for primetime?
Ken Jautz: I’d say that CNN is evolving from an organization that has always been great at covering breaking news to one that is more focused on distinctive and engaging new programs. As well as it’s expertise on breaking news. One of the principal ways we’re moving towards that goal is creating a lineup that has an overall cohesive identity—a series of shows based on quality journalism and reporting, but in which each show is distinctive and different from one another, has its own personality.
What defines the new lineup?
I’d say these shows have commonalities and differences. If you look at the overall lineup from late afternoon: it’s Wolf Blitzer followed by John King, to Erin Burnett, then Anderson Cooper and Piers Morgan. They’re not shows that simply rely on He Said, She Said reporting, but they provide a lot of analysis, they provide interviews, they increasingly provide a take or insight into stories. They’re all aggressive reporters, and they all have insights that are not based on ideology. They’re based on their reporting, their experiences.
But there are differences because among them—we want to create distinctive, differentiated shows. And these are people who have different approaches and areas of expertise and different orientations. John king and Wolf Blitzer are politically oriented… and that’s reflected in their shows. Erin Burnett ha a business expertise. Then you have Anderson Cooper, who’s putting his personal stamp on stories with his expertise in the field, his focus on international news and travel. And then you’ve got Piers, who’s more focused on culture and entertainment. So these are a series of shows that have commonalities, but they’re also very distinctive from one another.
But your primetime slate features re-airs very prominently [for example, under the new lineup, Anderson Cooper 360 airs at 8 and again at 10]. Do you have plans to change that? It seems like an unusual primetime lineup.
I’m going to dispute the premise on several different fronts, actually. But before I do that, let me say that it is a lineup that we look forward to building. We’ll build it and attract a greater and greater following. That’s one.
Two, I would say that Anderson Cooper has long been at ten as a flagship show ... in this day and age, the program that a news channel runs at 8 PM basically showcases what the network stands for. And you look at Anderson Cooper; it is quality journalism, reporting-based program. And you compare that to a more conversational talk show on offer at competitive news networks at 8 o’clock, you see a real difference. It makes sense for us to put it on at 8 o’clock. It also makes sense for us to continue Anderson Cooper—he’s been at 10 for many years he has a loyal following at 10 o’clock. Lastly, another reason I dispute the premise is, it suggests that [having re-airs in primetime] is unusual. I would say that it isn't.
So this lineup is part of a clear strategy.
It’s a clear strategy. It’s not a holding pattern. It’s a focus on experienced journalists and on journalism. Also, [the 10 O’clock re-air of Anderson Cooper] has live elements as well. So what runs at 10 O’clock is not exact same thing that runs at 8 O’clock.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Ratings For The Week of August 1- August 5th
Rating calculations are weekly averages based on nightly ratings provided by TVNewser with data by Nielsen Media Research. Numbers reflect Live and same day (DVR) data.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reporting From Somalia For American Morning
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Anderson Cooper and the AC360 team are in Africa this week reporting on the famine in Somalia. They flew with Dr. Jill Biden, the Vice President's wife, on Air Force Two and arrived late Sunday night, Eastern time. After arriving in Nairobi they boarded a C130 transport to Somalia. Dr. Gupta tweeted this picture.
Dr. Gupta filed this report in the 8PM of American Morning.
Don't forget AC360 switches to its new time slot tonight, 8PM ET with a repeat at 10 PM.
Friday, August 5, 2011
David Bohrman Leaves CNN
TVNewser is reporting that David Bohrman is leaving CNN after 14 years. His farewell to staff is after the jump. You can follow the link for the full article.
This Weekend's Programming 8/6/11
SATURDAY, August 6, 2011
SANJAY GUPTA, MD – LIVE Saturday 7:30AM – 8:00AM
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta anchors a LIVE edition from Riverside Park in Manhattan with the 6-person CNN Fit Nation triathlon team. Two members from last year’s team of first-timers return to offer tips for defeating jitters, day-before and day-of competition, and more for Sunday’s Nautica NYC Triathlon.
THE SITUATION ROOM WITH WOLF BLITZER – Airs LIVE Saturday 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Topic: Uncertainty in the economic market; 2012 politics
Guest: Ron Brownstein, CNN senior political analyst and editorial director for National Journal Group
Topics: American economy; debt deal
Guest: Austan Goolsbee, outgoing Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors
Anchor: Wolf Blitzer
CNN SPECIAL COVERAGE ON ECONOMY – LIVE Saturday 7:00PM – 8:00PM and 10:00PM – 11:00PM
Topic: Economic Outlook for America; U.S. Credit Downgrade
Anchors: Wolf Blitzer and Christine Romans
CNN PRESENTS – Airs Saturday 8:00PM – 9:00PM and 11:00PM
CNN investigative correspondent Kaj Larsen hits the seas for some scuba with the U.S. Navy marine mammal unit that trains dolphins to detect and intercept swimmers who could be potential terrorist divers. Other animals are trained to sweep the shoreline for mines and check ships for unintended explosives. National correspondent Gary Tuchman reveals the inside life of Warren Jeffs, the leader of the breakaway fundamentalist Mormon sect, FLDS, who is accused of polygamy and child endangerment. As attorneys prepare opening statements for the upcoming trial in San Angelo, Texas, Tuchman details the hold that Jeffs still has over his followers – even from behind prison bars. Also, correspondent Amber Lyon reports on pain pill-addicted babies who are crowding Florida hospitals as so-called ‘pill mills’ – clinics and medical practices that dispense prescriptions inappropriately – continue to flourish. Federal drug authorities consider the State of Florida among the states with the largest problem with inappropriate prescription drug use.
SUNDAY, August 7, 2011
SANJAY GUPTA, MD – LIVE Sunday 7:30AM – 8:00AM
CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen anchors a LIVE edition from Riverside Park in Manhattan on race day for the Nautica NYC Triathlon.
STATE OF THE UNION WITH CANDY CROWLEY – Airs LIVE Sunday 9:00AM – 10:00AM, NOON – 1:00PM
Topic: Uncertainty in the economic market; U.S. Credit Downgrade; Unemployment
Guest: Steve Forbes, Pres. and CEO Forbes Inc.
Guest: Larry Summers, former director of the National Economic Council
Topic: Cyber security; Uprising in Syria
Guest: Vice Adm. Mike McConnell (Ret.), Former Director of National Intelligence
Topic: California politics; Washington debt crisis
Guest: Gov. Jerry Brown (D-CA)
Topic: Politics of the debt deal; 2012 elections
Guest: Anita Dunn, former White House communications director
Tom Davis, former U.S. Rep. (R-VA)
Anchor: Candy Crowley
FAREED ZAKARIA GPS – Airs 10:00AM – 11:00AM and 1:00PM – 2:00PM
Topic: What are the political lessons to be learned from the debt ceiling debate? Did the president and the GOP contenders play a constructive role in the debate?
Guest: Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief, AOL Huffington Post Media Group
Guest: Joe Klein, political columnist, Time Magazine
Guest: Reihan Salam, columnist, The National Review
Guest: Nick Wapshott, contributing columnist, Reuters
Topic: What’s the REAL story behind the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque”? What inspired the Park51 project in the first place? Why is it near Ground Zero?
Guest: Sharif El-Gamal, chairman, Park51
Anchor: Fareed Zakaria
RELIABLE SOURCES – Airs LIVE 11:00AM – NOON
Topic: Coverage of the Debt Deal
Guest: Joan Walsh, Salon.com
Guest: Dennis Prager, Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host
Guest: Terence Smith, former PBS media correspondent
Topic: The Challenges of covering Hollywood
Guest: Sharon Waxman, founder of TheWrap.com
Topic: Experience with memory loss
Guest: Ned Zeman, author and Vanity Fair contributing editor
Host: Howard Kurtz
CNN PRESENTS – Airs Sunday 8:00PM – 9:000PM and 11:00PM
CNN investigative correspondent Kaj Larsen visits the U.S. Coast Guard’s Station Golden Gate, the busiest surf rescue station on the West Coast, near San Francisco, which averages over 600 search and rescue cases per year. The summer action-comedy film 30 Minutes of Less, about a kidnapped pizza delivery guy who is strapped with a bomb to his chest and told to rob a bank, is loosely based on a much more complicated true crime mystery. Investigative correspondent Drew Griffin reports on the not so humorous story behind the movie premise. CNN’s Poppy Harlow reports on what may be a precedent-setting lawsuit over celebrity merchandising. Five of the stars of the TV classic Happy Days, whose characters inspired memorabilia from t-shirts, lunch boxes, and dolls to DVDs and slot machines, received scant profits from the wide use of their likenesses. Harlow interviews Don Most, Marion Ross, Anson Williams and Erin Moran about whether they were cheated out of millions promised in their contracts with CBS Studios.
CNN SPECIAL COVERAGE ON ECONOMY – LIVE Sunday 9:00PM – 10:00PM
Topic: Economic Outlook for America; U.S. Credit Downgrade
Anchor: Christine Romans
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Where in the World is Rick Sanchez?
TVNEWSER has posted an interview with Rick Sanchez about his future and a little look back at his time with CNN.
“You can’t win. I don’t care if you’re as masterful politically as Chris Matthews, as incredible in an argument as Bill O’Reilly, or as good-looking as Anderson Cooper. No matter what your skill set, someone’s going to be there every single day to blast your ass.”
When Sanchez was fired, he says what hurt him most is that “no one stood up for me. I was just as hated on the right as on the left.” If, by some quirk of fate, Sanchez returns to cable, “I’d have a publicist working with me every day and an agent watching my back, even if it costs half my salary.”
If he had to do it over again, “I would read every single word of every script, right off the ‘prompter,” Sanchez says. “I’d show up half an hour before, do my makeup, then do the show. Folks who do that are the ones who are beloved.”
The hard workers, like him, “are guaranteed to get a lot more crap,” he says.
To read the full interview and read more about his possible talk show based out of Miami follow the link.
Mediaite also reported recently that Sanchez will be calling the action for the Florida International's Golden Panther football team. Here's the link to that story.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
For All You Don Lemon Fans
Yesterday Don Lemon did a Q & A over at REDDIT. One bit of news he revealed is he'll be sitting in for Joy Behar on HLN while she's on vacation later this month. Here's more of what he had to say:
How much input do the anchors have in what news is presented? Could you write your own piece? Could you refuse to cover a story (for religious, political, or other reasons)? How far in advance do you know what you are presenting for the day?
Lemon: The anchor input depends on the anchor and the show. I have a ton of input. I insist on it. Some producers don't really like it but that's too bad. At the end of the day it's my face and reputation. I do write my own pieces. I can refuse to cover a story but that comes with the possibility of getting disciplined by the company I work for. I did question and refuse to cover a story when I worked in Chicago. I got a lot of flack for it. But it's ok. It taught me a lesson, made me stronger and more savvy about how to refuse a story without management even knowing it. Sometimes I have days even weeks to research a story. Sometimes, like this weekend with the debt ceiling, you just go in the air and follow the breaking news, no teleprompter, no scripts, just a laptop and my producer in my ear.
One of the most amazing things I've ever seen on television happened during your interview of supporters of disgraced pastor Eddie Long. Did you know you were going to bring up your own history of abuse, or did it just happen?
In a world that is so scripted and fake, it felt very genuine and authentic. Your honesty was
Lemon: First of all thanks. It was completely organic. I had no idea I would say it. I think I said it because I had been writing about my own experience with abuse for my book. So it had been on my mind and it just came out. I ‘m glad you were comforted I have a fun book stack of responses from that moment. Thousands of people wrote me with similar comments to yours. I hope it made a difference.
What did you think about Jon Stewart's segment on you? That was pretty amazing. Go you for actually caring about the news instead of the stupid gimmicks.
Lemon:I was totally stunned by the Jon Stewart segment. I was watching the show with a friend and was tweeting about the prior segments. Then mine came on and we both said in unison, "uh oh." Then I tweet 'OMG' and walked out of the room.. My friend said come back, watch it. I didn't for about an hour and after I had 2 beers. Then once I watched I thought it was funny and complimentary. I just didn't want to make my co-workers look like the brunt of the joke. But they understood and sent me nice emails. the truth is I love real news and my team knows it. We pride ourselves on gimmick-free news. In fact we ask ourselves when pitching ideas, 'is this too gimmicky?' And if the answer is yes, we drop it. I think the viewer may watch a gimmick for a while but then they catch on and tune out. It really is ok to be smart and present a smart newscast.
I took a tour of CNN's headquarters last year. Being in such close proximity to you guys while on air was really cool. Whats the most awkward thing a tourist has gestured to you through the glass?
Lemon:Yikes.. a lot of fun things happen.. I usually start the wave with the tour groups. One woman saw me and started jumping up and down and obviously she wasn't wearing any support up top. And just last week this woman freaked out and started kissing the glass so I went over and kissed back. I love the tour groups.
Is it hard to separate personal political convictions from the objective persona most anchors put on?Is there a congressperson that is particularly intimidating when it comes to interviews?
Lemon: It’s not hard for me to separate it. I’m probably one of the most objective people you'll meet. Also, I don't associate with any political party so that makes it even easier. Politicians are politicians and politics are politics. That's the story on that. To answer the 2nd part of your question, I’m not intimidated by anyone. The only person who came close to intimidating me was Stephen Colbert. I knew his character from tv, but when we started to really have a conversation I realized that he's not the character and it kinda caught me off guard. I said to my self, I know the character but I really don't know the man. So I had to readjust quickly.
When did you first feel like "hey i have a knack for this news reporting stuff"?
Lemon: I’ve known since I was a kid, but I didn't really know what to call it. My mom says I asked A LOT of questions to anyone who would listen. I’d even go over to other people's tables at restaurants. Guess I was 'born this way' or at least born to be a journalist
Don Lemon has the potential of becoming a great name for an alcoholic beverage. Answer me this, Don Lemon, what would you put in a "Don Lemon"?
Lemon:Wow. That's an awesome question. A lil vodka, some lemonade, a splash of sparkling water for bubbles and I'd stir it with one of my fingers. Aaahhh refreshing!
This is just a short sample of the q & a session. There is much more to read at REDDIT. Just follow the link.
