CNN International Launches Revamped European Primetime Schedule

The global news channel, CNN International is launching an ambitious new European primetime schedule.  CNN International’s prime time strategy brings six hours of new programming to the network, broadcast daily from New York, London, Atlanta, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong.

The new programming slate brings together some of CNN’s top talent from the UK, US, Australia, Ireland and the Middle East around shows on just-in news headlines, behind-the-scenes journalism, business news and global trends and connections.  At its heart is Amanpour the live interview show hosted by the pre-eminent international journalist Christiane Amanpour, in her first regular departure from the field into the studio.

The new line up, with a total of eight new shows to be launched by year-end, comes amid continued growth in CNN International newsgathering operations, with new offices in seven new locations, and alongside an award-winning documentary strand - World's Untold Stories - and a vibrant series of feature shows, as CNN continues to redefine the parameters for a successful 24/7 news brand.

Tony Maddox, Managing Director of CNN International said; "The world today is a lot smaller than the one CNN International began broadcasting to 1985, if we want to stay the channel of record it is vital we continue to grow and develop, across all platforms. Years of investment and hard won experience have given CNN the people and the means to deliver on our promises.”

The new programming also signals CNN’s belief in an expanded target audience. CNN has long been the network of choice for business travellers and decision makers but audience research shows opportunities to engage with a broader set of news consumers who have actively demanded news with context, transparency, diversity, analysis and multiple perspectives.

The evening line-up unites Christiane Amanpour, Richard Quest, Becky Anderson, Fionnuala Sweeney, Michael Holmes and Hala Gorani in a wheel of programming that between them covers off business, current affairs, breaking news and behind-the-scenes reportage in distinctive formats which, alongside the network’s existing feature and documentary slate, confirm CNN’s evolution into much more than a rolling news channel.

The shows, while distinct stand-alone concepts, are all underpinned by the use of original content to provide the deeper context audiences are looking for; and interaction with audiences before, during and post-show across a variety of platforms.

CNN’s programming investment continues in 2010 with a new prime time schedule for Asia Pacific.

New Prime Time Line-Up

International Desk
Weekdays at 1800 BST
Duration: One hour

International Desk, hosted by Hala Gorani, invites viewers into the heart of the largest newsgathering operation in the world as news stories develop and break. CNN's viewers don't tune in to watch the news; they want to be immersed in it, and to feel the rush of being the first to know what's happening as stories break. Each weekday, this is the place to come for the best and latest information available. Viewers who want even more can read Hala's daily blog Today at the IDesk.

www.cnn.com/idesk 

Quest Means Business
Weekdays at 1900 BST
Duration: One hour

Quest Means Business is the definitive word on how people earn and spend money. Each weekday, Richard Quest presides over a cast of experts and correspondents delivering unrivalled facts, figures and analysis from the business world. This is where chief executives come to justify results and the handling of their company. Quest Means Business destroys the 'business is boring' notion by bridging the gap between hard economics and entertaining television. The ethos of the programme is inspiration, exploring the power of money and celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit. Viewers can't afford to watch anything else.

www.cnn.com/questmeansbusiness

Amanpour
Weekdays at 2000 BST
Duration: 30 minutes

On 21st September, CNN International launches its centrepiece, the highly-anticipated Amanpour programme. This interview programme, hosted by the internationally renowned and multi-award-winning journalist Christiane Amanpour (pictured), will aim to set the agenda for a new global conversation. Each half-hour show will focus on a single topic; often news-driven, often provocative, bringing to bear Christiane's vast journalistic experience and depth of knowledge honed from a quarter of a century reporting from around the world, alongside some of the major influencers and newsmakers of the day.

www.cnn.com/amanpour

World One
Weekdays at 2030 BST
Duration: 30 minutes

World One, hosted by Fionnuala Sweeney, is a fast-paced international news bulletin, designed to keep viewers across the day's major stories. World One delivers everything you need to know about the world's biggest stories in a punchy half-hour format. The programme will showcase the network's best news reports and deliver the latest news headlines from across the globe. Every day, World One will showcase a special segment that brings you closer to one part of the world and 'In Focus' will be a deeper look at an international news story. With Fionnuala's expertise and extensive knowledge of international affairs, World One is designed to become appointment viewing for anyone who wants to keep on top of the news. 

Connect the World
Weekdays at 2100 BST
Duration: One hour

Hosted by Becky Anderson, Connect The World joins together seemingly unrelated global stories, exploring how an event or circumstance in one part of the world can have a significant impact elsewhere. The programme is an innovative mix of CNN reports, guest interviews, regular Connect the World contributors, in-show viewer interaction and feature segments, with Becky presiding as its dynamic but rigorous ringmaster. It runs the gamut of analysis and reportage on the day's global news stories, as well as local stories, culture, entertainment and sports, harnessing the show's website www.cnn.com/connect, i-Report site and other social networking sites to create a vibrant international show community.

www.cnn.com/connect

BackStory
Weekdays at 2200 BST
Duration: 30 minutes

BackStory explores the story behind the story, going beyond the headlines to give viewers a look at how CNN news programming is brought to air, and show the news from a different, rarely seen perspective. Host Michael Holmes (pictured) is a veteran field reporter and interviewer with more than three decades of experience. BackStory captures the passion and emotion of eye-witness accounts, looks at the news from a fresh angle, and shows how correspondents deal with the challenges and human emotions they face in the field.

www.cnn.com/backstory