CNN

CNN, or Cable News Network, launched on June 1, 1980, as the world's first 24-hour television news network. Founded by Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld, it signed on from its Atlanta headquarters with a lead story about the attempted assassination of civil rights leader Vernon Jordan. In its early years, the network lost money and was dismissed as the "Chicken Noodle Network" by skeptics. By 1983, however, CNN reached over 33 million households, representing 20 percent of U.S. homes with televisions. Ted Turner's acquisition of Satellite News Channel that year eliminated CNN's main competitor and solidified its position.

The network gained global recognition through live coverage of the Persian Gulf War in 1991, which established its reputation for on-the-scene reporting. Other defining moments included coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995 and Peter Bergen's first television interview with Osama bin Laden in 1997. CNN's website, initially called CNN Interactive, launched on August 30, 1995. As of 2026, CNN operates 39 editorial operations worldwide with 37 international bureaus, reaching over 80 million U.S. homes and 321 million households globally.

CNN is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, formed through the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery in 2022. The network has faced challenges including declining linear ratings and the cancellation of its subscription service CNN+ shortly after launch. In January 2024, CEO Mark Thompson unveiled a new strategy emphasizing digital transformation and subscription models. The network remains one of the most recognized news brands, though it has often been a subject of political debate over its editorial stance. [edit]