CNN has started the month of June with a major on-screen revamp.
CNN and CNN International have debuted new graphics package, in the network’s biggest on-screen revamp for a decade.
The new look comes 43 years to the day that CNN first launched in the USA. It is part of wider changes being made by Warner Bros Discovery management to the network.
David Zaslav, President & CEO of Warner Bros Discovery has ordered CNN to be less partisan, with a greater focus on news over opinion.
The result has been editorial changes, staff layoffs and revamped programming, with talk of more changes to come, in what has in effect become a phased rebuild and relaunch of CNN.
Regarding the new look, CNN boss Chris Licht told staff this morning:
“It’s a clean and modern presentation that provides much greater flexibility in how we communicate information and urgency to our viewers around the world. It’s the first major refresh in a decade and it will make the news the star of any screen.”
Since the pandemic, CNN International is now largely aligned with CNN U.S., with the increased simulcasting never fully reversed as things returned to normal.
CNN still offers programmes for international audiences at Breakfast time in Europe. It also runs international programmes during an eight hour strand from 13:00 BST, opting out of US daytime programmes. During this time, long-standing CNN shows including Connect The World, Amanpour and Quest Means Business continue to air.
In the UK, CNN International is available on Sky, the CNN website (subscription) and Samsung TV Plus (free). As reported last month, CNN is rolling out its new channel CNN Fast on a number of streaming platforms.
Under previous management, CNN was pulled in 2021 from Virgin Media and Freesat.
In parts of Europe, CNN is now available on discovery+, a move yet to be replicated in the UK and Ireland.
Marc Thornham
[Images: screenshots – CNN International HD]