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Tag: CNN International

  • CNN launches new Executive Innovator business segment sponsored by panasonic

    CNN launches new Executive Innovator business segment sponsored by panasonic

    MUMBAI :  CNN International has launched ‘Executive Innovator’, a new on air and online segment which profiles inspiring business leaders who are challenging perceptions, pushing the boundaries and creating fresh ideas. The segment is sponsored by leading electronics manufacturer Panasonic.

    ‘Executive Innovator’ airs fortnightly during ‘World Business Today’, a round-up of the day’s global business news, marketing trends and economic developments. The launch segment featured Lexus International’s President Kiyotaka Ise explaining why his new luxury stores sell everything but cars.

    As well as being seen in millions of home around the globe, ‘Executive Innovator’ will also feature on CNN.com at http://business.blogs.cnn.com.
    Vice President of News Advertising Sales for CNN Asia Pacific, William Hsu, commented: “CNN’s core audience are some of the most influential business decision-makers around, so we are delighted to partner with Panasonic to deliver these genuinely inspiring stories to our viewers around the world.”

    Groupwide Brand Communication Division General Manager for Panasonic, Senju Kobayashi, commented: “We are pleased to present innovative ideas and thoughts from leading business executives through this partnership with CNN. Panasonic provides business solutions across various fields, and we look forward to learning from the stories that these innovators will share in this series.”

    ‘Executive Innovator’ airs every second Monday during ‘World Business Today’ at 1830 IST
    ‘World Business Today’ brings viewers around the world the day’s global business news with a particular focus on international market trends, economic developments, stock market trading, bids and take-overs. It is anchored from the key financial centers of Hong Kong, London and New York

  • CNN appoints Sumnima Udas as India correspondent

    CNN appoints Sumnima Udas as India correspondent

    MUMBAI: CNN International has elevated Sumnima Udas as the Delhi-based correspondent. She will be covering key developments in the country relating to politics, economics, social & environmental and general interest stories.

    She has been associated with CNN since 2001. She joined as a news assistant in New York and then moved to Hong Kong in 2006 as a show producer. Since 2010, she has been producer from Delhi. “The eyes of the world will be trained on India as the world’s largest democracy and emerging economic powerhouse goes to the polls in 2014,” said CNN International Asia Pacific VP and managing editor Ellana Lee.

    CNN is looking at strengthening its presence in this diverse and dynamic region with the inclusion of Sumnima Udas

    Recently, Udas has worked on several assignments such as the Delhi gang-rape, the Bangladesh garment factory collapse as well as the Commonwealth Games corruption scam. She is also the recipient of the Asian Television Awards as show producer for the show CNN Talk Asia, a weekly show that explores personalities of newsmakers.

    She has studied her bachelors at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, USA and masters from Oxford University in UK. She knows several languages such as English, Hindi, Urdu, Nepali and French and has grown up in over ten countries.

    “With her new appointment as Delhi correspondent we look forward to strengthening our presence in this diverse and dynamic region,” added Lee.

  • Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown season two launches 20 Sept on CNN International

    Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown season two launches 20 Sept on CNN International

    MUMBAI: CNN’s popular original series ‘Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown,’ which has been nominated for four Primetime Emmys in the 2013 competition, launches its second season on Friday, September 20 at 7.30pm IST. The season premiere episode “Jerusalem” features tours of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, marking the first time the host has filmed in these locations.

     

    The new season of the lifestyle series also takes Bourdain and his crew into “parts unknown” within Spain, New Mexico, Copenhagen, Sicily, Detroit, Tokyo and South Africa.

     

    Below are descriptions of ‘Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown’ season two episodes (airdates, unless indicated, are TBA):

     

    “Jerusalem” (Sept 20) – In the season premiere, the host and crew make their first trip to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. While the political situation is often tense between the people living in these areas, Bourdain concentrates on their rich history, food and culture, and spends time with local chefs, home cooks, writers and amateur foodies.

     

    “Spain” (Sept 27) – Anthony Bourdain explores Andalucía during Semana Santa (Holy Week, leading up to Easter), a time filled with great pageantry and excitement. Featured in this episode is Bourdain’s longtime Director of Photography Zach Zamboni, who lives part-time in Granada and shows the host sights off the beaten path.

     

    “New Mexico” (Oct 4) – Bourdain takes a close look at the mash-up of cultures that comprise this uniquely American state by sampling its food – a combination of Spanish, Mediterranean, Mexican, Pueblo and even chuck-wagon influences. New Mexico is also a land of drugs, guns, monster vehicles, and possibly extraterrestrials. It may also be the perfect place to investigate the underside of the Western cowboy ideal.

     

    “Copenhagen” Denmark (airdate TBA) – This episode explores the food and natural beauty of Copenhagen, the economic and cultural center of Denmark. Home to famed chef Rene Redzepi and his brainchild Noma – regarded by critics as one of the world’s best restaurants – Parts Unknown delves into the city’s cuisine and the new Nordic creativity that infuses Redzepi’s work at Noma.

     

    Sicily (airdate TBA) – ‘Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown’ explores the Sicilian way of life, which puts a premium on savoring family, life, and food.  Bourdain travels in search of those foods as he eats his way around the island.  He makes his home base at the Villa Monaci, on the outskirts of Catania with his enthusiastic, fast-talking sidekicks who counter the otherwise relaxed tempo and epic “food porn” of this episode.

     

    Detroit (airdate TBA) – Few cities have experienced such a dramatic economic rise and fall as Detroit. In this episode of ‘Parts Unknown’, Bourdain explores the past, present and future of the Motor City. He steps into the lives of Detroit natives and sees the glory days of the past at the famed Packard Plant, the current state of the city’s urban decay, and the promise of the future in the citizens who are rebuilding their communities.

     

    Tokyo (airdate TBA) – Japan is a paradox.  The low birthrate, the dedication, the conformity, and the life of a salary man are well known. There is also a competitive and rigid culture that gives way to some unique subcultures.  Bourdain has traveled to Tokyo countless times, but on this trip he is in search of the city’s dark, extreme, and bizarrely fetishistic underside.

     

    South Africa (airdate TBA) – Once considered the most dangerous city in the world, Johannesburg now barely makes the top 50. But the end of apartheid has led to vast changes in the city.  In this episode, Bourdain visits the suburb of Hillbrow (which remains a dangerous locale), spends a day in the life of a taxi driver and discovers the culture and food that make up modern day Johannesburg.

     

  • Ditto TV partners with Turner International India

    Ditto TV partners with Turner International India

    Ditto TV, India’s first OTT (Over-The-Top) TV distribution platform from Zee New Media, the digital arm of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel), further strengthened its content offering, by partnering with Turner International India adding three of their globally renowned  channels – CNN International, Cartoon Network and Pogo to its bouquet.

    Ditto TV subscribers will have access to top news stories across the globe via a live feed of CNN International. CNN International’s coverage of news and current affairs will be available via news packages and programs such as Amanpour, Fareed Zakaria GPS and International Desk. Subscribers will also be able to get the latest updates and current trends in global economy, travel, environment, arts and entertainment in the expert voices of CNN anchors and special correspondents including Richard Quest, Philippe Cousteau and Anthony Bourdain.

    Ditto TV launches its kids’ genre with the addition of India’s leading kids’ channels, Cartoon Network and Pogo. Cartoon Network comes with a global legacy of being kids’ favourite cartoon channel and Pogo is currently the reigning kids’ channel in India. The looped feeds of Cartoon Network featuring hit series such as Ben 10, Dexter’s Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, etc. and Pogo featuring popular shows such as M.A.D., F.A.Q., CIA, etc., will treat Ditto TV subscribers to an exciting blend of the best of international and local shows.

    Speaking about the partnership, Ditto TV business head Manoj Padmanabhan said, “Our focus is to offer consumers access to the largest collection of premium content, spread across diverse genres, along with rich on-demand video capabilities. Kids’ programming is a growing genre, and Turner India enjoys a lion’s share of the market. There is an ever- growing appetite for international news amongst Indian consumers and live feed from CNN International will provide consumers instant access to the latest on the digital device of their choice. This partnership will further accentuate the experience of seamless video viewing and we are confident that our customers will enjoy the variety that it brings to the Ditto TV offering.”

    Since its inception in February 2012, Ditto TV has already partnered for content with Multi Screen Media (Sony Entertainment Television), TV Today Network, BBC, ZEE, BIG CBS Love and BIG CBS Prime. Today, Ditto TV offers 60 channels across leading genres and rich on-demand video content.

  • ETV Urdu hopes to score on the programming front

    ETV Urdu hopes to score on the programming front

    Going strong on its expansion plan despite the depressed media scenario, the Ramoji Rao owned Eenadu Television Network on Wednesday added “ETV Urdu” to their kitty of regional channels. The 24-hour free-to-air digital channel was finally launched on 15 August (Independence Day) after a long wait by the chief editor Eenadu group of publications and chairman of the Ramoji Film City (RFC), CH Ramoji Rao, at the RFC complex in Hyderabad.     

    ETV has been building its programming content for the Urdu channel for more than one-and-a-half years now. The target audience will not only be the Urdu-speaking audiences in India but also the Gulf countries. The Urdu spoken on the channel will not be pure Urdu (which not many people understand) but that spoken by common people so as to give it a broader viewership, company officials say.

    The Channel will have a fair mix of entertainment and information with hourly news updates, telefilms, family dramas, daily soaps, devotional and musical programmes. The USP of the channel will be fresh and original programming rather than dubbed or outsourced programmes, say officials.

    Khaas Baat (Urdu News)

    Special efforts have been taken to strengthen the news section. Khaas Baat, a news capsule specially designed to cover Urdu speaking areas. ETV has tied up with Reuters Television, CNN International and Transworld International so as to ensure comprehensive coverage of international news and current affairs, according to a company release.

    Adakaar is a weekly acting competition hosted by well known actor Nirmal Pandey. And for those die-hard fans of Urdu poetry, Mushaira, a monthly mega event of lyrical excitement, will quench their thirst.

    To develop the channel’s indentity, films will not be shown in the initial period. Instead telefilms are being produced that will be telecast exclusively on the channel. Game shows, talk shows and song-based programmes like Mehfil, Gazal Sara, Qawwali are also going to be an intrinsic part of the programming.

    The majority of the programming is being done in-house though there are some programmes which are on commissioned basis. The network’s headquarters is in Hyderabad.

    On the ad rate front, the figures being quoted would appear a tad optimistic and it remains to be seen whether the channel will be able to get buyers for its time slots. Spot rate for prime time (7pm to 10pm) has been kept at Rs 20,000 as per the rate card. Industry sources say as of now no advertiser has been confirmed though talks are going on.

    A still from the serial Tumhara Intezar Hai

    Even on the distribution front, the channel is likely to face a long haul. According to industry sources, cable connectivity is going to be a major issue the channel will face. In this direction, channel executives have been contacting cable operators in Mumbai and also distributing set top boxes.

    That apart, looking at the past record of the group and the amount of homework done by ETV Urdu as far as its programming goes, the channel is certainly expected to make a difference in today’s cluttered scenario.

    ETV already has Telugu, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada channels. Next in the pipeline from the ETV stable are Gujarati and Oriya channels.

    Technical Specification :

    ETV Urdu:
    Satellite – APR-I (INSAT-2E) at 83.5 degree East
    Downlink frequency – 4005 MHz
    Downlink Polarisartion – Vertical
    Symbol rate – 27000 Kg Symbol/sec
    FEC – 3/4
    Downlink EIRP – 38 dbW
    Signal type Digital,MPEG 2/clear
    Free-To-Air.

  • CNN International, MediaCorp win top Asian TV Awards

    CNN International, MediaCorp win top Asian TV Awards

    NEW DELHI: CNN International and MediaCorp have won top awards at this year‘s 16th Asian Television Awards.

    According to the Asia-Pacific Broadcasters Union (ABU), the Singapore-based broadcaster MediaCorp won the Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year award, while CNN International won both the Cable & Satellite Channel and Network of the Year awards.

    CNN Correspondent Anna Coren was named ‘Best News Presenter or Anchor,‘ while the CNN Freedom Project was also recognized with two of its reports receiving acclamations for ‘Best Single News Story/Report‘ and ‘Best Social Awareness Programme.‘

    “To win five awards, including network and channel of the year, is an extraordinary achievement and testament to the excellence, dedication and bravery of our people in Asia Pacific and around the world,” said CNN International EVP and MD Tony Maddox. “It is especially pleasing to see recognition and reward for two of our CNN Freedom Project programs, an initiative which remains fearless and unwavering in its determination to help bring an end to modern day slavery.”

    The annual awards show was held in Singapore last week with 1,040 entries received from 14 countries and regions. Top celebrities from around the region had gathered to recognise the best in the television industry in Asia.

    Regional broadcaster MediaCorp had 30 nominations this year, the same as last year.
    MediaCorp CEO Shaun Seow said: “Well, it‘s really humbling because when you look at the quality of the nominations this year, it certainly has been ratcheting up and to be recognised among Asia‘s best is really an honour for us.”

    MediaCorp Channel 5‘s ‘The Noose‘ (Season 4) won Best Comedy Programme and actor Suhaimi Yusof bagged the Best Comedy Performance by an actor for his role in the show.

    Channel NewsAsia‘s ‘Stressbuster‘ took home the Best Lifestyle Programme award.

    A total of 39 awards were given out including three new ones: Best Pre-school Education Programme, Best Theme Song and Best Drama Screenplay.

  • ‘India is among CNN’s top 3 markets in Asia Pacific’ : CNN International VP ad sales news William Hsu

    ‘India is among CNN’s top 3 markets in Asia Pacific’ : CNN International VP ad sales news William Hsu

    CNN is banking on India to boost its ad revenue this year as the international news outfit hunts for fast-growing economies in a downturn environment.

     

    CNN expects a 10 per cent growth from the Asia Pacific region. India, away from recession, will grow the fastest this year as the news network plans to tap into more clients. .The target is to keep posting 20 per cent growth over the next couple of years as Indian companies go global.

     

    The recession has affected CNN the least as it tweaked its strategy. The news network built a 360 degree solution around TV and the Internet. The focus on digital, which makes up 20 per cent of CNN‘s revenues, also helped CNN to combat the global downturn.

     

    CNN is growing its India content. Eye On India is ready for launch and CNN is dedicating a lot of its daily news output towards Indian business, which will be aired across the world.

     

    In an interview with Indiantelevision.com‘s Ashwin Pinto, CNN International VP ad sales news William Hsu talks about how the global news network has insulated itself from recession and how it plans to grow its business in India.

     

     

    Excerpts:

    Which are the key markets for CNN and how has the Asia Pacific region been faring for the global news network?
    CNN has grown in the region and 30 per cent of its revenue is coming from the Asia Pacific region, up from 25 per cent three years back.

     

    The top three markets are Korea, Southeast Asia and India. Over the past decade, CNN has been growing at about 11 per cent compounded a year.

     

    The recession has affected us the least. We had a good digital product; and we deal with government entities – whether it is investment or tourism. Governments actually spend more money during a recession to stimulate growth.

    So what targets have been set for the year?
    We expect 10 per cent growth from the Asia Pacific region. India will grow the fastest this year in terms of revenue and getting in more clients. We expect 20 per cent growth from India over the next couple of years, up from 17 per cent.

     

    North Asia‘s contribution in terms of Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong will still be the most.

    CNN International has seen profit growth for the past seven quarters. What factors have contributed towards this?
    We have a strong distribution revenue stream. This insulates us in terms of a recession. Another driver has been new media. Internet advertising has grown quite a lot.

     

    One of the biggest opportunities is our CNN branded portfolio. You might think of us as a TV channel; I think of CNN as being a news provider. We have a TV channel. And we have the largest news site in the world. We have just launched a series of mobile products starting with the iphone, ipad and Android 3.0 in the US. There is an opportunity to build the 360 degree solution. The challenge is how fast advertisers will embrace this.

    But did you have to tweak your strategy during the downturn?
    One of the things we did was that we anticipated the recession before it happened. Throughout 2007, we expected something to happen without knowing when. This allowed us to tweak our strategy. We approached more governments. We built up a 360 degree solution around TV and the Internet.

    How has CNN been able to broad base its revenue stream as it is key for any broadcaster to survive in a difficult global economy?
    From a product base, I just mentioned three of them – and they are all growing. Internet and mobile are experiencing fast growth, which is good. Incidentally, new media contributes 20 per cent of CNN‘s revenues.
    ‘The Asia Pacific region accounts for 30 per cent of CNN’s revenues, up from 25 per cent three years back. CNN expects to post a 10 per cent growth from the region, with India growing the fastest‘

    Does that give you an advantage in India?
    In terms of an advertiser base, we are focusing on Asian companies that are expanding internationally. Suzlon is an example. We are also looking to work with Just Dial which has just launched in the US. Essar is another company that is expanding its global footprint. We are tapping a wave of Indian companies that are going overseas.

    Even global clients are increasingly preferring local news channels. Does this pose a challenge to CNN?
    No! We deal with corporate branding; our clients are high end corporates.

     

    If you look at the type of advertising on news channels here, I don‘t think that a company like Rolex would want to advertise in that environment. The quality is dodgy. A Rolex watch will cost as much as a car here. Would they be in an exclusive group with CNN International or would they rather be with the mass targeted brands?

     

    There is a certain purity that CNN International offers. My TG is that top three per cent of India‘s population. They are internationally focused; they are very well traveled; they do business overseas frequently. I tell clients that this is my profile. Which channel do you think this TG is watching in India?

    News channels in India are struggling as the ad pie is not growing against the backdrop of Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) and sports. How do you see things shaping up here?
    I don‘t look at the general news channels as competitors. The market is totally saturated; there should be consolidation. In any case, sport is the most attractive genre on cable TV anywhere in the world.

     

    Our focus rests on international advertising. I bring a platform to an Indian company which is looking to promote itself overseas. We have around 20 Indian advertisers with us. And we aim to grow this.

    Have the ad categories grown for CNN over the last couple of years beyond just tourism?
    Travel covers airlines and hotels, but we have gone much beyond that. We have clients like Rolex, Nokia and Longines. We have quite a few companies from the Middle East. Banks also advertise on CNN.

     

    Our USP is that we are pervasive. We are on Internet devices, television homes and hotels. Many news channels may have a strong distribution. But how many of them also have a strong website? How many can rank No. 1 on ipad downloads? We are in a good position.

    So you approach advertisers across platforms?
    Yes! One of the benefits is that it allows an advertiser to constantly engage with the consumer. In the morning, the consumers drive to office. In the office, they use the Internet. During the tea break, they use their mobile phones. Then when they go back home and watch us on TV. We follow the consumers everywhere.

    Could you give me examples of integrated solutions?
    Cartier advertises with us on the net and the TV. They were the first advertisers on the ipad.

    What work has CNN done online?
    We have invested in social media. For any story, you have five different social media links which you can send to a friend. You can also follow a report on Twitter. We push citizen journalism through i-report. This has been integrated into television news.

     

    A great example of that is Iran. The student protests happened six months ago. The government sealed all access to Iran for journalists. What we did was have citizens do filming and reporting for us.

     

    On a platform basis, we invest heavily on the mobile. We have CNN mobile Web which allows you to surf a mobile version of CNN. Then we have iphone, ipad apps and Android. That is where our consumers are digitally. The itunes interface is its own marketing platform.

    What is the strategy in terms of lifestyle content?
    A typical news consumption pattern is that you watch half an hour to an hour of news and then you are done for the day. The lifestyle content is designed to keep you watching for up to an extra hour by having content that is designed for an international businessperson. He/she would be interested in Golf, sport, design. I categorise this as news and information.

     

    Eco Solutions, which is about environment, has done well. CNN Go is a travel lifestyle programme sponsored by Korean Airlines. We, in fact, have diversified our news programmes. We have a show called Backstory in the morning. What we have found out is that people do not only want news headlines; they want to understand what is happening behind the scenes.

     

    On I-report we have found a way to take content that people send and create a news show around it. It is a different way of portraying the news. This is not just feature programmes.

    How did the idea of CNNGo come about?
    One thing that is common about upscale business people is that they are well traveled. They have a desire to know unique things about countries. Travel is one of the most interesting things for them. This is what CNN Go is about. It offers you insights on things to see, do and buy. There isn‘t a travel programme quite like it. There is a site as well that is quirky and interesting.

     

    The site is about six countries being featured including India. On television, one country and a different city is featured every month. Online, we have Citibank as a sponsor. For television, it is Korean Airlines.
    How are you growing your India content?
    Eye On India is coming up and we are promoting it. We are dedicating a lot of our daily news output towards Indian business, which will be aired across the world. We have, for instance, filmed the Birla Group.
    What role has Eye on India played to boost your perception here?
    It does generate a lot of interest. We are promoting it through the press. We are using outdoor hoardings – we have a big presence in the international Airports of Mumbai and Delhi. We are also using social media.
    Al Jazeera is looking at India with content focused here. Your views on this in terms of the impact it will have on the existing global players?
    We welcome competition; it keeps us on our toes. They have a good product, which is undeniable. But we are the No. 1 news network across the region. We aim to keep it that way.
    You recently announced sponsorship of the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship. How many events does CN sponsor and what role does it play in building brand awareness?
    Sports content is popular on CNN. We have Living Golf. Sports is an important platform. We sponsor five to 10 events a year.
    Organisations trimmed costs in the global recessionary environment. What did CNN do?
    We did not have any salary freeze and we did not layoff anybody. Being a part of Time Warner, we are always cost conscious. During the downturn, we actually invested more in our newsgathering operations. We boosted our staff and added more bureaus.
  • CNN International to turn its ‘Eye on India’ from 14 March

    CNN International to turn its ‘Eye on India’ from 14 March

    MUMBAI: Starting 14 March, CNN International will focus on Indian business, in order to bring global viewers a week of in-depth business coverage live from Mumbai and around the country.

    The week with a special focus – ‘Eye On India’ – will see live programming centers around ‘World Business Today’. Business specialist Andrew Stevens and CNN’s team of India correspondents will profile the players, companies and trends contributing to the country’s economic growth.

    Eye on India will also feature a special edition of Talk Asia in front of a live audience with Indian business icon Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group.

    A dedicated site, cnn.com/eyeon, has additional reports, special features and more information about the week of programming.

    As an additional aspect of Eye on India, CNN is also inviting its global audience, especially those in India, to participate by sharing their views on everything that is ‘Uniquely India’. Selected submissions will feature on cnn.com and across the weeks’ programming.

    “These are exciting times for Indian business and industry as the country’s performance on the global economic stage make it an obvious choice for our week of business-focused programming. Eye on India promises our global viewers smart, insightful and surprising reporting from this hugely compelling destination” said CNN International VP of coverage and feature programming Mike McCarthy.

    Stories airing through the week include a look at how a rapidly increasing demand for luxury in segments including apparel, automobiles, retail and real estate, due to India’s increasing number of millionaires, juxtaposes sharply with parts of the country that still lack basic infrastructure. Away from metropolitan India, the emergence of smaller towns as growth and consumption drivers are profiled. 

    Seen by some as a ‘model state’, a visit to Gujarat suggests how India can maximise its economic potential, while a pioneering cardiac surgeon reveals how he provides world class medical care for the masses at minimal cost.

    Eye On India will take viewers on journeys to different countries around the world, exploring the new, revealing the surprising and uncovering the unknown aspects of compelling destinations.

  • ‘CNN-IBN is a win-win partnership’ – CNN International Managing Editor – Asia Pacific Ellana Lee

    ‘CNN-IBN is a win-win partnership’ – CNN International Managing Editor – Asia Pacific Ellana Lee

    Based at the network‘s regional headquarters in Hong Kong, Ellena Lee is one of the most dynamic and successful young executives working in Asian television. She manages the on air and online news and feature programming produced in Hong Kong, in addition to CNN‘s correspondents and newsgathering teams across ten bureaus in the Asia Pacific region that stretch from Islamabad to Tokyo.

    Some of the programming initiatives under her tenure include taking CNN‘s Asia-produced programming to Beijing, Delhi, Mumbai and Seoul for dedicated weeks of coverage. She has overseen the launch of a new weekday business program from Hong Kong, World Business Today and also managed the network‘s Talk Asia program as it has travelled across the Asia Pacific.

    Named as a Young Global Leader in 2008 by the World Economic Forum, Lee has steered CNN in the Asia Pacific to received a variety of awards, including a 2008 Peabody for the network‘s global coverage of the US presidential primary campaigns and debates and two Asian Television Awards for best news program for ‘CNN Today‘ (now renamed ‘World Report‘) and best talk show for ‘Talk Asia‘.

    In an email interview with Indiantelevision.com, Lee shared her views on the state of journalism in India, CNN‘s viewpoint and the changes she has brought in her three year tenure as managing editor.

    Excerpts:

    How do you see India as a news market? How different is it from other Asian countries? When it comes to news gathering, how different do you see India among other countries around world? Your take on the exploding media scene in India what so many news channels that have launched?

    India is a fascinating television news market thanks to the number and diversity of channels and the press freedom that the media enjoys. The Indian media is a powerful force to be reckoned with, which makes the need for responsible journalism even more necessary. Indeed, there are clearly some quality control issues regarding journalistic output while the lines between journalism and advertising have too often been blurred. From a domestic Indian perspective, the concept of news has undergone a transformation over the past five years due to key factors including the entry of private (non-governmental) players in the news space and the speed of technological innovations, so there will doubtless be many more changes ahead.

    How is CNN‘s coverage different than other international players like BBC? What is your DNA?

    Production and ownership of our content is our cornerstone and it has allowed us to expand the depth and breadth of coverage. It is very important for us that CNN provide original news to its audiences and not aggregate third party material which people can get from elsewhere. In 2009, we embarked on the biggest newsgathering expansion in our history, a multi-million dollar investment in staff and resources to bolster our world-class, award-winning journalism as well as give us the power to move swiftly into developing new business models.

    CNN also continues to evolve to meet the needs of our international audience through platforms including online, broadband, mobile and interactive television. Our strategy is to make use of most of the growing digital technologies and platforms to enhance our reach and be in continuous touch with our audience. That‘s why we offer multiple touch points for the consumer to access CNN content anytime, anywhere.

    The issue of paid news and plagiarism have been raised in the Indian media repeatedly and quite often in the recent past. Your comment?

    Journalism should always be responsible, impartial and unimpeded by any external factors, be they financial or otherwise. There have been examples of plagiarism and paid media within India which raise serious questions about the independence and objectivity of some reports.

    What is CNN‘s policy on paid news and journalistic ethics?

    We adhere to the highest standards of journalism and never compromise on journalistic ethics. We have never and will never accept any payment for any news coverage, period.

    CNN has adopted a broader perspective on global matters. Can you throw some light on the same?

    In 2009, we embarked on the biggest newsgathering expansion in our history, a multi-million dollar investment in staff and resources to bolster our award-winning journalism and give us the power to move swiftly into developing new business models. This also reflects our philosophy of “Go beyond borders”, our commitment to delivering intelligent news in a connected world where stories and people are not defined or limited by geography.
    ‘Journalism should always be responsible, impartial and unimpeded by any external factors‘

    You were promoted as managing editor of the APAC region in 2007. In the last three years, what changes have you brought in the editorial during this time?

    Rigorous editorial discussion and accountability, clarity of thought and speed of action from all our journalists. As Asia itself grows in influence, we strive to reflect its rise through smart story telling. In my short time as managing editor, we have seen explosive growth in the digital and social media sphere and so we make sure our journalists are comfortable on all platforms and work across divisions to maximize a story‘s impact.

    What about CNN‘s ambitions to go regional and local? You have CNNj in Japan, then Turkish and Korean CNN, why not in India? And if you say partnership with CNN-IBN, the editorial content is all under IBN18?

    CNN-IBN and CNN International have enjoyed a very fruitful newsgathering relationship. For our CNN-IBN audience, we are able to offer a window into key international stories such as the Chilean miners story. And in turn, CNN-IBN offers our international viewers key stories making headlines in India. It really is a win-win partnership.

    How has the tie-up with IBN18 helped CNN in India?

    CNN-IBN and CNN International have enjoyed a very fruitful relationship with respect to content sharing, helping us provide even more complete and rounded journalism from India for our global audiences.

    How will you position CNN in Indian context vis-a-vis other APAC countries?

    We don‘t ‘position‘ India or other countries. We report the stories that matter for our hundreds of millions of viewers around the world. We have bureaus in Delhi and Mumbai and are proud of our coverage from India.

    How many people you have in your Indian editorial team?

    The CNN Editorial team in India is led by New Delhi Bureau Chief, Phillip Turner. CNN boosted its presence in India with the appointment of Sara Sidner as the New Delhi-based international correspondent. Then, in 2008, as part of CNN‘s international newsgathering expansion and content ownership strategy, the network announced the opening of its editorial operation in Mumbai as well as the appointment of Mallika Kapur as the network‘s Mumbai-based international correspondent. We have dedicated newsgathering teams to support these bureaus.

    What are the plans for India, how are you going to consolidate your position?

    CNN International has a long and special relationship with India spanning more than two decades. We were the first International broadcaster to interview Dr. Manmohan Singh. Our programming in India runs the gamut from political and business news to stories that bring out the human dimension of India. For example, our coverage of the Commonwealth Games highlighted some of the problems in the preparation, while also focussing on stories which bought out a different and uniquely Indian flavour of the games for our viewers. For instance we covered how authorities were using langurs to deal with the macaque monkeys of Delhi in the run-up to the games.

    In the past, we‘ve focussed in-depth on India through special theme weeks like ‘Eye on India‘ (2004, 2005 & 2007) and ‘India Means Business‘ (2008). India is a nation with one of the youngest populations globally and we examined its youthful essence by giving a voice to ‘Generation Next.‘ In October 2010, ‘CNNGo‘ the monthly travel show on CNN International featuring a unique take on global destinations, visited Mumbai and took viewers beyond Bollywood and the bulls and bears of Dalal Street to explore some unique aspects of this vivacious city.

    Going forward we are looking at further expanding our coverage from India and continuing with our investments in technological innovations. We are also keen to work alongside the remarkable talent pool that is India‘s youth.

  • CNN International launches new monthly series

    CNN International launches new monthly series

    MUMBAI: CNN International is set to launch a new monthly arts series – Icon, which will focus on visual arts, architecture, literature, music, photography, dance, opera, fashion and design, accompanied by interviews with their innovators and influencers.

    Starting 28 July, the new programme will examine how classic cultural icons have influenced new trends and ideas and will challenge itself and its viewers to identify new icons in the making.

    The show takes viewers to the Louvre and the Guggenheim, the Tate and the Turner Prize, the Bolshoi and the Met and the Venice Biennale and Fashion Weeks in a fresh, intelligent and accessible way which sees presenter Monita Rajpal stepping into the frame of the designer’s studio, going behind the camera and onto the catwalk under the eye of iconic guests and trend-spotters who share their insights and reveal their influences.

    CNN International VP of coverage and feature programming Mike McCarthy says, “Icon throws open the doors to the eclectic world of arts and culture around the globe through a mix of rare access and top-name interviews with the vibrant stars of today’s creative industries. We hope our audience will also get involved in helping us find the icons of tomorrow.”

    The channel has also launched a dedicated website for the show. Visitors can help shape Icon’s future content by voting for their own cultural icons. The most popular will be on display in an interactive gallery space online and featured on the show.

    The website hosts the ‘icon’ shows for online viewing, plus features image galleries, and will also house web-exclusive video of globally renowned cultural icons.

    Viewers can also join CNN’s community of user contributors via the iReport website.

    In the July show, CNN’s Monita Rajpal takes viewers to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where she sits down for an exclusive interview about an artist’s inspiration and fearlessness with IM Pei, the 93-year-old Pritzker Prize winning architect behind the Pyramids, now one of Paris’ most notable landmarks and recognised as a pinnacle of architectural innovation.

    Rajpal also goes behind the scenes at the museum to see the unveiling of the newly restored Venus De Milo. Plus she joins members of the Royal House of Saud, including HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities for the inaugural unveiling of The Road to Arabia, a 40-year research and archaeological project which is the Louvre’s latest exhibition.

    In August, she will travel to the Swiss Alps resort of Montreaux which has, for more than four decades, been home to the annual jazz festival. She meets founder Claude Nobs who introduces her to music icons Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock. She also meets Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto who has customised two classic Gibson guitars to auction at the festival and challenges him to redesigns the famous red CNN logo.

    The show also visits Nashville, Tennessee, the heart of the country music business, where ‘icon’ embarks upon a tour of the Gibson guitar factory to learn about one of music’s most iconic designs – the Gibson Les Paul. The team talks to several famous axemen – including ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons – about their loving relationship with the instrument and witness the birth of the world’s first CNN Custom Gibson Les Paul!