A Spotlight on CNN International
01.28.2002
In the past, I never really paid attention to CNN International as it focussed mostly on European and sometimes Asian news - not that the news was boring, it was that CNNI played way too early in the morning for me to watch. However, my sentiments towards this network changed after September 11th while I was news starved after the tragedy. CNNI turned out to be a refreshing change from the American-centric version that I grown to love. It offered harder news - just the facts, different faces such as Richard Quest, Juanita Phillips and Jim Clancy, and a whole new way of looking at CNN. It reaffirmed my faith in CNN as being a global powerhouse.
While CNN/US was changing right before our eyes with massive programming changes, anchors shuffling schedules, and boasting new flashier graphics, CNNI was no different. After the events of 9/11, the network went through its round of modifications too. Although not as drastic as its US cousin, since programs and anchors were restored more quickly. (As of this writing CNN/US has a few minor bugs to iron out.)
Immediately following September 11th, CNN International's programming lineup was completely retooled. As a result, shows such as "World Beat" and "Showbiz This Weekend" were scrapped much like we saw on CNN/US. Additionally, "CNN This Morning" stopped playing in Europe while still being aired in Asia. This is somewhat similar to "Sports Tonight" being canceled on CNN/US, but it remained on CNN/SI - same show different network. Also, "World Business This Morning" was replaced by "World Business Today." Now "Biz News" and "Business Central" has officially taken over that time slot. And you thought that CNN/US was confusing.
Added to CNNI's lineup of shows were "International Correspondents", "People in the News", "Inside Asia" - not exactly a new show but now airing in Europe. Also, some "CNN Presents" editions played on CNNI by its old name, "CNN Perspectives," hosted by Jonathan Mann. "Beneath the Veil" and "Black Hawk Down" recently played.
To make things a little more complicated, news anchors were tossed around. At times no one had a definite shift. Even after a brief hiatus, Colleen McEdwards returned to CNNI from anchoring, "CNN Live at Daybreak" on CNN/US with Carol Lin. However, things has settled down a bit with the following anchor lineup:
- Rosemary Church (nights and early mornings)
- Anand Naidoo (early mornings)
- Ralitsa Vassileva (mornings)
- Zain Verjee, Jim Clancy, Jonathan Mann (afternoons)
- Marina Kolbe (mainly in the evenings)
(All shift times ET)
Left to right: Rosemary Church, Anand Naidoo, Ralitsa Vassileva, Zain Verjee, Jim Clancy, Jonathan Mann, Marina Kolbe
Even how the global audience communicated with the "World's News Leader" altered with its cutbacks. If you have read "CNN Comments 13: End of Interactivity?" where CNN/US has been scrapping some of its more interactive shows, CNNI was also a victim of this sudden change with its viewer call-in/fax/e-mail show "Q&A." "Q&A lost its chat room on January 4th. I heard it was a money-related problem. I think with that foolish move CNN further suppressed the show's interactivity. Back in the old times when Q&A was anchored by Riz Khan, you were able to call in, fax/e-mail a question, and even ask one from the chat room. Today the two shows (at 1630 GMT and 2030 GMT) are really out of their original context." (Svetlozar Aleksiev) Not only North America is not talking to CNN; the world is not either.
In recent weeks, CNNI has strengthen its business programming with two new shows:
0600 CET - 0900 CET: BIZ NEWS - anchored by Juanita Phillips and Richard Quest
0900 CET - 1000 CET: Business Central - anchored by Richard Quest
(Weekdays)
I had the pleasure of watching "Biz News" late one Sunday night during its debut. I was very lucky that it played on CNN/US. It offers a balanced mixed of hard news and business news, with a touch of weather and sports here and there. Both anchors Juanita Phillips and Richard Quest work well together and really get things going fast. No silly banter here. As far as I can tell, "Business Central" is a straight business program.
After some review of CNNI's schedule I noticed that it was very business heavy, unlike CNN/US. JNN: CNN reader Svetlozar confirms this by saying, "There is also another pretty good one-hour biz show - "Business International", anchored by Becky Anderson (airs at 1100 GMT and 1400 GMT -- that's 6 a.m. EST and 9 a.m. EST). CNN International airs a lot of business programs - Biz News, Business Central, Business International, World Business Today (airing twice weeknights in Europe), Lou Dobbs Moneyline..."
Not only CNNI has rolled out new business shows; it has created a brand new breakfast show for the Asian market called News Biz Today. In CNN's press release it says, "CNN International Asia Pacific is to launch a new three and a half hour breakfast show NEWS BIZ TODAY on January 28, 2002. Co-anchored by Australian presenter, Stan Grant and Singaporean Jill Neubronner, the program provides a continual mix of live breaking and headline news, business stories, sport, weather and analysis." (CNN LAUNCHES NEW REGIONAL MORNING SHOW, January 14, 2002)
CNNI also has launched its long awaited Arabic web site - http://arabic.cnn.com. Currently there is a promo running on the network with key CNNI anchors and correspondents Christiane Amanpour, Nic Robertson, Becky Anderson, Richard Quest, and Hala Gorani speaking in Arabic plugging the new site.
With all these new programs and such, CNNI has gotten back with the old making a slow return to its pre-9/11 schedule. Some hour-long "World News" editions were scaled back to a half-hour. Additionally, "American Edition" - American news for Europeans and Asians - has returned (0430 GMT and 1730 GMT.) And just recently, "World Business This Week," anchored by Charles Hodson, has been brought back into CNNI's lineup. As well, CNNI has made on-screen-aesthetic changes by reinstating its original captions and graphics. No more CNN/US styled captions. We now get a more subdued look with red headings and a red line over top a transparent black box for its main titles.
Now, CNNI is not your usual CNN. I mean it is more formal without the personality driven programs and left-right commentary. It is pure hard news, straight up. This is what CNN should be anyway. If you get the chance, I encourage you to watch CNNI. It is highly recommended.
CNN International is available only on CNN/US in the States and in Canada.
Please check the schedule for times.
CNN International Online:
CNNI
CNNI Asia Pacific
Links open a new browser window.
Thanks to Svetlozar Aleksiev and Sebastian Straubel for contributing to this report.