CNN Press Release - Nationally Syndicated Radio Host and Best-Selling Financial Expert Clark Howard and CNN Journalist Isha Sesay Join New Show Airing 5-7 p.m. ET

NEW YORK, NY, May 22, 2012—HLN launches a new destination for news and information with Evening Express, hosted by Ryan Smith, beginning Monday, June 4. This new addition to HLN’s schedule will air weeknights, 5-7 p.m. ET, and feature HLN’s popular personal finance expert Clark Howard, and CNN’s Isha Sesay, it was announced by Scot Safon, Executive Vice President and General Manager, HLN. Evening Express will be based at the network’s global headquarters in Atlanta.

“HLN is excited to offer our viewers an evening news program that centers on the news and information they’ll discuss around the dinner table,” said Safon. “The format and tone of Evening Express was inspired by our hit show Morning Express with Robin Meade. Viewers tell us all the time that they love how Robin and the Morning Express team start their day on HLN, and now Ryan, Clark and Isha will be welcoming them home in the evening.”

Evening Express will provide an energetic, inspirational and solutions-oriented look at the day’s news, accompanied by deeper discussions and reporting on stories and issues that resonate in the American household, including parenting, education, health, personal finance and relationships.

Evening Express will also have a deep a social footprint, engaging with viewers and users on all platforms.  In tandem with its June 4 launch, the show’s digital extensions will include Facebook (Facebook.com/EveningExpressHLN), Twitter (@EveningExp) and a dedicated blog on HLN’s recently launched web site, HLNtv.com (HLNtv.com/EveningExpress) that will feature distinctive angles on the stories of the day. Evening Express hosts can also be followed at @ryansmithtv, @IshaSesayCNN and @ClarkHoward.

Smith, a familiar HLN on-air presence in 2011 as a result of his reporting during the Casey Anthony and Conrad Murray trials, was a member of the Morning Express team and host of programming during InSession on truTV. A sports and entertainment lawyer with a degree from Columbia Law School, Smith covers a wide variety of news stories and has a personal interest in health and wellness issues.

Howard is one of HLN’s most popular personalities, with a wildly successful nationally syndicated radio program and personal finance website in addition to his regular appearances on HLN weekends and Morning Express with Robin Meade. In 2011, his book, “Clark Howard’s Living Large in Lean Times,” spent 21 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list, his third to make that list. With the launch of Evening Express, the personal finance guru will now bring his expert advice to viewers later in the day, answering specific consumer questions and providing information that is applicable and actionable to a wide spectrum of the audience.

Sesay is well known to CNN audiences for her work as an anchor for CNN International, hosting the daily news program CNN NewsCenter and weekly program BackStory, and serving as the nightly “360 Bulletin” correspondent on Anderson Cooper 360°. In addition, she files reports for African Voices and Inside Africa, CNN International’s award-winning, weekly program dedicated to providing viewers with an inside look of Africa.On HLN’s Evening Express, she will bring her strong reporting skills and a point of view informed by her experience covering news stories from across the globe.

CNN veteran Angie Massie is the Executive Producer of Evening Express. Katherine Green is Senior Vice President and Managing Editor, HLN.  Steve Rosenberg is Director of Dayside Programming, HLN.

About HLN

HLN is the national television network that focuses on the “must-see, must-share” stories of the day.  Drawing upon the network’s deep bench of talent, including Robin Meade, Jane Velez-Mitchell, Nancy Grace, and Dr. Drew Pinsky, HLN dissects and demystifies the news stories and newsmakers people are talking about.

HLNtv.com, the network’s new digital platform, is the online destination for users to go deeper into the top stories driving the conversation and generating the national buzz.

HLN is a CNN Worldwide network reaching more than 100 million households in the U.S. CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information.

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Last night, the team of Anderson Cooper 360º hosted their first "Hangout" on their Google Plus page.  Check out an archive of the chat below:

Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin will once again ring in the new year on CNN and CNN International. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin will again co-host CNN’s celebration of the New Year’s Eve celebration on Saturday, Dec. 31, from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (ET). The odd-couple will ring in the new year for CNN’s "New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin” live from NYC’s Time Square.

"Get ready, America. Pull up a chair and a box of your finest wine, because you've never seen a New Year's Eve show like this,” said Griffin. “By the time I'm done with him, Anderson's hair is going to be even more gray. In fact, the night is going to be so wild, his hair is actually going to turn brown again."

“Kathy Griffin scares me. I’ve said this often to CNN management directly and through my attorneys,” said Cooper “She continues to appear by my side on New Year’s Eve, so clearly no one is listening to me”

CNN correspondents will provide reports from celebrations across the country and around the world. Isha Sesay will join Cooper and Griffin from the crowds in Times Square and Gary Tuchman will report live from Central Park for the annual Midnight Run. Correspondent John Zarrella will be live in Key West, Florida and Brooke Baldwin from Nashville, Tennessee. The show will simulcast on CNN International. After Anderson and Griffin sign off from Times Square at 12:30a.m. (ET) CNN’s Brooke Baldwin and Marty Savidge will take over from Nashville and count down to midnight, central time.

Leading up to “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin” will be “Best and Worst of 2011,” an Anderson Cooper 360° special, which will air at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.(ET). The special will count down to the new year by looking back at 2010, anchored by Tom Foreman, who will shine a spotlight on the highs and lows of the past twelve months in politics, pop culture, the economy, entertainment, and much more. A re-air of Piers Morgan Tonight will air at 9 p.m. (ET).

CNN Domestic has joined with other networks for a multi-platform special that addresses bullying. As part of the effort, CNN will air a town hall special moderated by Anderson Cooper and feature a series of special reports on Anderson Cooper 360°.

The town hall premieres this Sunday, October 9 at 8:00pm (eastern) and the special reports run from October 10. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: CNN, Facebook, Cartoon Network and Time Inc. Team Up for Anti-Bullying Efforts. Anderson Cooper 360° Town Hall “Bullying: It Stops Here” to air October 9; AC360° week-long series begins October 10.

CNN, Facebook, Cartoon Network and Time Inc. have teamed up for a special multi-platform effort aimed at taking a stand to help stop the bullying crisis. Anderson Cooper 360° will air a week-long series focused on bullying in addition to a town hall hosted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, marking the one year anniversary of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi.’s death.

Anderson Cooper will reveal the results of a six-month long pilot study that provide new insight about why kids bully each other and how parents and educators can more effectively stop the problem. In partnership with University of California sociologist Dr. Robert Faris, this groundbreaking investigation involving over 700 junior and high school students will explore the complex social dynamic of bullying, and how certain students hold the key to stopping the problem.

“Too many kids have died already; too many kids are living in fear. At AC360 we decided to look into the problem by sponsoring an extensive study of bullying in one school to better understand the dynamics “said Cooper “what we learned by focusing on one school was eye opening. The problem of bullying is far more complex than it is often portrayed, and while there are no easy solutions, we’ve learned some things that lead me to believe that with enough attention, we can make life better for kids”

Bullying: It Stops here, An Anderson Cooper Special Report will feature guests including actor and bullying prevention activist Jane Lynch , psychologist and talk-show host Dr. Phil McGraw; who has testified before Congress about bullying prevention, talk show host and mother of three Kelly Ripa, and Rosalind Wiseman; best-selling author “Queen Bees and Wannabees”. Along with a special audience of students, parents, educators and policy makers, Cooper and guests will question whether new legislation, laws and significant media attention has helped the bullying prevention efforts.

The town hall, titled Bullying: It Stops Here will premiere Sunday, October 9 at 8pm ET and will re-air on October 14 at 8 and 10 pm ET.

Beginning October 10, Anderson Cooper 360° will air a week-long series which will move the conversation forward with solution oriented, original research that will help families and educators to better understand this serious problem impacting children. Cooper sheds new light into the world of bullies, uncovering counter intuitive information about what motivates kids’ aggression that might surprise viewers. Cooper will uncover some universal truths about bullying in schools across the country by speaking with UC sociologist Faris and bullying expert Rachel Simmons, best-selling author of “Odd girl Out”. Anderson Cooper 360° airs weeknights at 8 and 10pm ET on CNN.

Earlier this month, Facebook and Time Warner Inc. announced the launch of the Stop Bullying: Speak Up Social Pledge App, an interactive social media pledge that enables educators, parents and students to make a personal commitment—and recruit others to join them—to help stop bullying.

CNN is noting its special coverage of President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on Thursday. Coverage begins 5:00pm (eastern) on The Situation Room. CNN will stream the President's address online and CNN's mobile apps.

CNN Press Release: Special Programming of President Obama’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress; coverage begins at 5 p.m. on CNN. AC 360° and Piers Morgan Tonight to follow the Presidential Address.

On Thursday, Sept. 8, CNN will broadcast special coverage of President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. with a special edition of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. The President’s address on job creation is scheduled to air at 7 p.m. CNN lead political anchor Wolf Blitzer, along with chief national correspondent John King from Capitol Hill, will anchor the network’s coverage. CNN International will simulcast the President’s speech.

AC 360° at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Piers Morgan Tonight will follow at 9 p.m. and will feature special coverage and analysis of the presidential address. CNN will replay the president’s address at 11 p.m.

CNN.com will live stream the address in the new CNN video experience and the address will be available live on the CNN Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. CNNPolitics.com will feature in-depth reporting and The Political Ticker will incorporate live blogging during the speech.

All Times Eastern.

UPDATE #2 - 1:30am September 9, 2011: Another email tipster says to expect Quest Means Business to re-air at 10:00pm (eastern) on ALL CNN International feeds. If true, then the network has well and truly lost the plot. A topical business news program, tracking (in part) the latest market movements on Wall Street, airing 8 hours after it first runs. You read that correct. An 8 hour old program running instead of a live program during Asia's late morning.

UPDATE #1 - 2:00am September 8, 2011: CNN Observations is still awaiting confirmation from CNN International on whether the network will go ahead and air the 10:00pm (eastern) replay of Anderson Cooper 360º from next week, but two emails from Atlanta suggest that the northern feeds may take the replay, while feeds in Asia Pacific will replay Quest Means Business in the 10:00pm (eastern) time slot. Again, CNN Observations is still awaiting official confirmation from CNN.

Whilst I was politely reminded in one of the emails I received that Quest Means Business is a CNN International production, the ratio of International Vs. Domestic-produced programs on CNN International wasn't really the point I was trying to highlight during the first part of the post below. The point I was trying to make is that CNN International is down an hour of LIVE news during the Asia morning dayside hours. In that context, whether it's the repeat of Anderson Cooper 360º or Quest Means Business that goes to air is pretty much redundant as both will be on tape.

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Anderson Cooper 360º has been simulcast on CNN International for a number of years at the same time it went to air live at 10:00pm (eastern) in the U.S. Once the program moved to 8:00pm (eastern) early in August, CNN International decided to stick with airing the taped replay at 10:00pm (eastern). As of this week, that’s all changed. Sort of.

Read more »

CNN is noting its August numbers. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: CNN GROWS AN IMPRESSIVE +55% IN M-F PRIMETIME IN AUGUST COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO

CNN’s AC360 TOPS MSNBC AT 8PM IN P25-54 AND IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND THE DEMO AT 10PM

CNN TOPS MSNBC IN TOTAL DAY IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND AMONG KEY DEMO 25-54

In August, CNN continued to post significant year-over-year ratings gains, growing more than any cable news network, increasing +55% in M-F primetime (232k vs. 150k). In addition, CNN tied for second with MSNBC in M-F primetime among P25-54 (232k vs. 232k).

CNN outperformed MSNBC in total day (6a-6a) among both total viewers (540k vs. 429k) and in the key demo 25-54 (189k vs. 143k). CNN grew the most in other key dayparts as well, increasing +63% in total day (189k vs. 116k) and +48% during the daytime in the key demo (173k vs. 117k) compared to last year.

Since AC 360 launched on August 8 at 8 pm, the program has delivered 219k in the key demo 25-54, a +74% increase over year ago programming (126k), a +44% increase vs. last month’s 152k and a 30% increase vs. CNN’s 8pm programming during the second quarter (168k). (For the month, CNN topped MSNBC in the key demo at 8 pm and in the key demo and total viewers at 10 pm – see below).

On Sunday, August 28 during Hurricane Irene coverage from 6a-Noon CNN easily topped FNC and MSNBC in the demo with CNN averaging 650k, FNC followed with 583k and MSNBC had 201k. From 9a-5p on Sunday, CNN averaged 577k, FNC had 510k and MSNBC posted 184k. Meanwhile in primetime, CNN also outperformed the cable news competition with 343k, FNC averaged 256k and MSNBC’s 218k. On Saturday from 9a-5p CNN also topped the competition among the key demo adults 25-54 averaging 647k, FNC had 564k and MSNBC posted 210k.

While CNN saw a +55% increase in overall M-F primetime vs. a year ago (232k vs. 150k), MSNBC was flat (232k vs. 233), and FNC grew 7% (578k vs. 541k). CNN’s signature programs surged with double-digit gains in both the key demo 25-54 and in total viewers in August.

CNN’s AC 360 at 8 pm topped MSNBC in the key demo (219k vs. 199k) in August. The show also increased an impressive +74% in P25-54 vs. a year ago – 219k vs. 126k; MSNBC decreased -25% (199k vs. 265k) and FNC’s O’Reilly Factor was up +5% (679k vs. 644k). In total viewers, AC 360 was up +47% (662k vs. 451k); MSNBC was down -15% (817k vs. 964k) and FNC increased +7% (2.910m vs. 2.719m) compared to last year.

At 9 pm, Piers Morgan Tonight increased +52% in the key demo (227k vs. 149k) compared to a year ago – while MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show was up less than half that recorded by CNN, up +21% (279k vs. 230k) and Hannity was down -3% (532k vs. 549k). Among total viewers Piers Morgan Tonight increased +37 (750k vs. 547k), MSNBC was up +12% (925k vs. 829k) and FNC was down -1% (2.088m vs. 2.116m) vs. a year ago.

At 10 pm, AC 360 topped MSNBC’s The Ed Show/Docs by +21% in the key demo (267k vs. 220k) and in total viewers (750k vs. 731k) in August. CNN had strong ratings gains at 10pm, increasing 55% in the key demo (267k vs. 172k) and 34% in total viewers (750k vs. 560k) vs. a year ago. MSNBC’s The Ed Show/Docs was up only +8% (220k vs. 204k), while FNC remained relatively flat, +1% (457k vs. 452k) compared to a year ago. In total viewers vs. a year ago, AC 360 was up +34% (750k vs. 560k), while MSNBC grew +37% (731k vs. 534k) and FNC increased just +2% (1.821m vs. 1.780m).

John King USA at 7 pm was up more than MSNBC and FNC in August, increasing +67% in the demo 25-54 (174k vs. 104k) and grew +46% among total viewers (531k vs. 364k).

At 5 pm, The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer increased +37% in the demo (173k vs. 126k) and +34% among total viewers (711k vs. 532k) compared to last year. CNN also topped MSNBC’s Hardball in both demographics.

At 6 pm, Sit Room was up +54% in the demo (179k vs. 116k) and up +41% in total viewers (615k vs. 437k) vs. a year ago. The Situation Room also topped MSNBC Live at 6 pm in the demo (179k vs. 161k).

In August, CNN Newsroom (9a-5p) bested MSNBC’s programming during the day time (9a-5p) in total viewers (587k vs. 371k) and in the key demo (173k vs. 101k). This represents a 58% advantage over MSNBC in total viewers and a 71% lead in the demo.

CNN reached a cumulative audience of 100.6 million viewers in August, FNC followed with 87.4 million and MSNBC trailed with 80.1 million.

Tonight, Anderson Cooper 360° begins its new schedule starting at 8:00 PM ET with Anderson Cooper and Sanjay Gupta live from Somalia with a special report "SOMALIA: ON THE FRONTLINES OF FAMINE". The hour will repeat at 10:00 PM ET.

From CNN: Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta spoke with Jill Biden on the Somalia/Kenya border as she traveled there to see the hunger crisis forcing refugees to flee to Somalia. Cooper will also report live from Mogadishu during the week, embedding with African Union troops who are fighting the Islamic insurgents who are denying aid to starving Somalis.

CNN Continues to top MSNBC in Weekday Daytime 25-54

CNN Signature Programs Surge with Double Digit Gains in P2+ and 25-54 in July

CNN Press Release - In the M-F Primetime daypart, CNN increased more than FNC or MSNBC versus year-ago, building by +15% in total viewers (662k) and +40% among 25-54 viewers (215k). This compares to gains of +12% in total viewers and +14% among 25-54 for MSNBC and declines of -6% in total viewers and -11% among 25-54 for FNC.

CNN also continued to surpass MSNBC in July during the M-F 9a-5p daytime daypart among both total viewers (504k) and the demo (144k), holding an advantage of 33% and 27%, respectively.

CNN Programs Surge with Double Digit Gains among both total viewers and 25-54 viewers in July

• CNN Newsroom at 3p increased 21% among total viewers (578k) and 28% among demo viewers (157k).
• The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer at 6p increased 10% among total viewers (573k) and 11% among 25-54 viewers (167k).
• John King USA increased 18% among total viewers (500k) and 25% among 25-54 viewers (156k).
• Piers Morgan increased 9% among total viewers (715k) and 37% among 25-54 viewers (217k).
• Anderson Cooper 360 increased 32% among total viewers (760k) and 56% among 25-54 viewers (283k).
• CNN reached a cumulative audience of 101.9 million in July, followed by HLN with 90.9 million, Fox News with 86.7 million and MSNBC with 85 million.

CNN Digital

In July, traffic and video usage on CNN.com was up over last year with 1.2 billion global page views and 89.1 million global video views.

Proving that users come to CNN.com for breaking news, the World section saw double-digit growth in July with 105.9 million page views (25% over last month and 59% last year), related to coverage of the massacre in Norway. The top two stories on CNN.com overall were related to news of Norway, one with 8.7 million page views and the second with 6 million.

Also showing steady increases in July was CNN.com’s Opinion section with 21 million global page views, 34% over last month and 160% over last year. CNN contributor LZ Granderson had the top story on bratty kids with almost 1 million page views followed by Bob Greene’s op-ed on the missing Indiana boy with more than 900 thousand page views.

CNN Press Release - CNN has unveiled a new evening lineup with anchors Erin Burnett, Anderson Cooper and Piers Morgan to launch this fall, it was announced today by Ken Jautz, executive vice president, CNN/U.S.

Beginning Aug. 8, CNN will broadcast its flagship nightly news program AC360, anchored by Anderson Cooper, live at 8pm and re-air it in its current timeslot of 10pm.

In the fall, CNN will premiere a new general news program with Erin Burnett, which will air at 7pm ET and re-air at 11pm ET. Piers Morgan Tonight will continue to air at 9pm and 12am ET.

John King USA will kick off the evening at 6pm. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer will continue as a two-hour daily program, airing in a new timeslot of 4-6pm. CNN Newsroom will now air from 9am-4pm. The full programming schedule is provided below.

“The new line-up showcases anchors who are experienced reporters in covering stories that span the globe,” said Jautz. “We created a nightly schedule that brings together the best of CNN’s journalism on a wide range of topics from politics and the economy to global and world events, as well the best newsmaker and celebrity interviews. This line-up ensures viewers access to the best of what CNN has to offer whenever they tune in at night.”

“I’m looking forward to the new time slot and am excited to share AC360 with a new audience at 8pm, while still connecting with my regular viewers at 10pm,” said Cooper.

CNN Fall Schedule (All times Eastern):
6a-9am: American Morning

9a-4pm: CNN Newsroom
4pm: Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
6pm: John King, USA
7pm: Erin Burnett
8pm: Anderson Cooper 360°
9pm: Piers Morgan Tonight
10pm: AC360 re-air
11pm: Erin Burnett re-air
12am: Piers Morgan Tonight re-air

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively-syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

The New York Times' Brian Stelter writes today that In The Arena is cancelled beginning August 8. Anderson Cooper's AC360° moves into that 8 PM ET timeslot and coming in late September, John King USA moves to 6 PM ET and Erin Burnett's show will start at 7 PM ET.

An internal memo from Ken Jautz obtained by Stelter:

Beginning August 8, we will broadcast AC360, our flagship news program, at 8p and 10p. Then in late September, we will add Erin Burnett’s new show at 7p and 11p. Piers Morgan will continue at 9p and midnight, while JKUSA and the Situation Room will both be broadcast one hour earlier, at 6p and 4p, respectively.

This line-up emphasizes our focus on quality journalism and on hosts who are proven reporters, as well as on shows that successfully combine original reporting with news analysis, civil debate and a wide range of inclusive and differing opinions.

The CNN brand and business model thrive on high-quality journalism that resonates across multiple platforms. Over the last six months, we have broadened the range and depth of our reporting and added more analysis and opinion to our coverage to complement our reporting. The tone, quality and credibility of our journalism is what continues to set CNN apart and contributes to the growth and success of CNN Worldwide.

We are in discussions with Eliot Spitzer about an alternative role. We thank him and the entire In the Arena team for creating a program that moved many political and economic issues into the national spotlight.

CNN is noting its Q2, 2011 numbers. Details from CNN below.

CNN Press Release: CNN POSTS STRONG YEAR-OVER-YEAR QUARTERLY RATINGS GAINS – INCREASING +29% IN PRIMETIME AND +21% IN TOTAL DAY IN THE KEY DEMO; GROWS MORE THAN ANY OTHER CABLE NEWS NETWORK VS. A YEAR AGO

AC 360 is Up +43%, Piers Morgan Tonight Grew +16% and In the Arena Increased +21% Q2 vs. a Year ago

CNN BESTS MSNBC IN TOTAL DAY AND DAYSIDE AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS AND THE DEMO 25-54 DURING SECOND QUARTER 2011

In June, CNN’s Sister Network HLN Tops MSNBC in Total Day, Primetime and Every Hour thru 11 pm, Outperforms FNC at 2p, 3p & 4P

Other than HLN, CNN is the Only Network to Grow in M-F Primetime in Total Viewers in June; FNC Down More than any other Cable News Net in M-F Prime Total Viewers

Second Quarter 2011:

For the second quarter 2011, CNN’s M-F primetime (8-11p) and total day (6a-6a) ratings grew more than MSNBC and FNC in both total viewers and in the key demo 25-54 vs. the second quarter a year ago. In addition, CNN topped MSNBC in both total day and dayside among total viewers and the key demo during the second quarter 2011.

Primetime:

In M-F prime, CNN was up +16% in total viewers (725k vs. 625k) and +29% in the key demo (235k vs. 182k) compared to Q210, while MSNBC’s growth was less, increasing only 3% among total viewers (924k vs. 894k) and 13% in the demo 25-54 (277k vs. 245k). Fox News continued to lose viewers vs. the same quarter a year ago, declining -6% in M-F prime total viewers (2.151m vs. 2.293m) and down -14% in the demo 25-54 (506k vs. 585k).

Total Day and Dayside:

In total day, CNN increased +13% in total viewers (494k vs. 439k) and grew +21% in the key demo 25-54 (173k vs. 143k) compared to last year; MSNBC increased 11% in total viewers (442k vs. 397k) and only 15% in the demo (157k vs. 136k); and FNC was off -1% in total day/total viewers and down -6% in total day/demo 25-54 vs. the second quarter last year.

Also in total day, CNN topped MSNBC in both total viewers and the demo 25-54 this quarter, with CNN averaging 494k in total viewers, a 12% advantage over MSNBC’s 442k, and in the demo 25-54, CNN posted 173k, a 10% lead over MSNBC’s 157k during the second quarter 2011.

During dayside programming (9a– 5p) CNN Newsroom easily outperformed MSNBC each hour, with MSNBC placing either 3rd or 4th throughout the day during the second quarter. For the quarter, among dayside total viewers, CNN averaged 554k, 56% more than MSNBC’s 356k and posted 169k among adults 25-54, a 59% advantage over MSNBC’s 106k. Fox News was down -2% in total viewers and was off -14% during its dayside programming.

Second Quarter 2011 Program Highlights:

CNN’s AC 360 outperformed MSNBC’s The Ed Show/Docs at 10p in both total viewers (843k vs. 805k) and the demo (304k vs. 260k) with AC 360 growing +43% in the demo while MSNBC increased +27% and FNC was down -17% compared to a year ago.

CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight increased +16% in the demo 25-54 (207k vs. 178k) vs. the second quarter a year ago. Since launching on January 17, Piers Morgan Tonight is up 15% in total viewers and 38% in the demo versus the same period last year.

CNN’s 8 pm program In the Arena was the only show to grow (among CNN, MSNBC and FNC) in both total viewers and the demo compared to the second quarter a year ago. During the quarter, ITA increased +14% in total viewers (545k vs. 477k) and was up +21% in the demo (168k vs. 139k), while MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell decreased -12% in total viewers (946k vs. 1.071m) and was down -5% in the key demo (253k vs. 267k) compared to last quarter. The O’Reilly Factor lost -4% of its total viewer audience and -12% in the demo 25-54. HLN’s Nancy Grace was up +19% in total viewers and +9% in the demo for quarter.

John King, USA also grew the most this quarter compared to MSNBC and FNC – posting double-digit growth - up +20% in total viewers (540k vs. 450k) and +32% in the demo (188k vs. 142k). MSNBC was up only 7% in total viewers and 10% in the demo while FNC was up 3% and down -3% respectively.

The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer topped MSNBC in the demo at 6 pm (187k vs. 154k) and grew among total viewers by +15% (605k vs. 526k) and +19% (187k vs. 157k) in the demo vs. the second quarter 2010. At 5 pm, the Sit Room also topped MSNBC in the demo (192k vs. 169k) and increased +15% in total viewers and +19% in the demo vs. a year ago.

Cumulative Audience:

CNN reached a cumulative Q2 2011 average monthly audience of 100.4 million, Fox News followed with 83.2 million and MSNBC trailed with 80.3 million.

June 2011:

In June, fueled by coverage of the Casey Anthony trial, CNN’s sister network HLN topped MSNBC in M-F primetime, total day and every hour of dayside in both total viewers and in the key demo 25-54 (except 9a in 2+). In addition, HLN was #1 outperforming FNC at 3p and 4p in both total viewers and the demo and at 2p in the demo 25-54. (HLN’s complete June ratings release will be released separately.)

Other than HLN -- CNN was the only network to show M-F primetime growth in June among total viewers –– increasing +5% (690k vs. 660k), MSNBC was down -5% (831k vs. 872k) and FNC off -16% (2.026m vs. 2.414m). HLN increased a staggering +84% in M-F prime time total viewers in June.

At 10 pm, AC 360 topped MSNBC The Ed Show in both total viewers (753k vs. 725k) and the demo (259k vs. 244k), with MSNBC slipping to 4th place. At 8 pm, In the Arena was even among total viewers compared to a year ago (458k vs. 457k) and was off only -7% in the demo, while FNC and MSNBC had much more significant ratings losses. FNC’s O’Reilly Factor was down -12% in total viewers and -22% in the demo and MSNBC’s Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell lost -23% of its total viewer audience (843k vs. 1.092m) and -19% in the demo (226k vs. 280k) compared to Countdown with Keith Olbermann a year ago.

In head-to-head comparisons with MSNBC’s daytime non-opinion programming CNN Newsroom averaged 423k vs. MSNBC’s 310k (+36%) and in the demo 25-54, CNN held a 39% advantage (129k vs. 93k).

On Sunday, June 26, CNN’s special documentary “Nepal’s Stolen Children” which is part of CNN’s Freedom Project, a global initiative to end human trafficking averaged 271k in the demo 25-54, outperforming MSNBC’s 245k and FNC’s 189k at 8 pm.

CNN reached a cumulative June 2011 audience of 90.6 million, FNC followed with 77.4 million, HLN had 76.2 million, topping MSNBC’s 75.1 million.

CNN is noting its Debate ratings. Details from CNN's press release below.

CNN Press Release: CNN’S REPUBLICAN DEBATE IS #1 LAST NIGHT; DRAWING 3.162 MILLION VIEWERS

TOPS FNC’S FIRST GOP DEBATE IN THE KEY DEMO

AC 360 #1 AT 10 PM

According to Nielsen Fast National data, CNN’s first Republican debate (8-10pm) moderated by John King, delivered an impressive 3.162 million total viewers and 918k among adults 25-54 last night, Monday, June 13. CNN ranked first in both total viewers and in the key demo 25-54, topping second place Fox News by 61% among total viewers (3.162 million vs. 1.959 million) and 94% among adults 25-54 (918k vs. 473k). CNN also out-performed third place MSNBC by 288% among total viewers (3.162 million vs. 814k) and by 348% among P25-54 (918k vs. 205k).

Compared to Fox News' recent GOP Debate (5/5/11), CNN had a 7% advantage in the key demo adults 25-54 (918k vs. 854k).

Following the debate, CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 ranked first in cable news at 10 pm with 1.895 million total viewers and 627k adults 25-54, ahead of FNC’s On the Record by 23% (1.546m) and 51% (416k), respectively. MSNBC’s The Ed Show trailed with 963k total viewers and 281k in the demo.

Other key highlights:

--Compared to CNN’s first GOP Debate in the 2008 Election Cycle (6/5/07), last night’s debate was 54% ahead among total viewers (3.162 million vs. 2.055 million) and was 23% ahead among P25-54 (918k vs. 747k).

--CNN's performance last night represents an increase of 385% in total viewers and a 352% advantage in the demo over CNN'S prior 4-Monday 8-10p average (excluding Memorial Day).

CNN has issued a programming note to announce Anderson Cooper will anchor live from Ground Zero in New York from 11:00am (eastern) today, part of CNN's coverage of President Obama's visit to the site of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Mr Obama's visit follows the death of bin Laden earlier this week, and is the President's first visit to the site since 2008.

Cooper will also continue to anchor live from Ground Zero for AC360. Former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice is among the guest lineup tonight.

CNN also notes that John King, USA will also be live from Ground Zero at 7:00pm (eastern). Former Secretary of Homeland Security and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge is scheduled to appear during the program.

The AC360 blog has unveiled a new design. Featuring interactive features on CNN.com and GetGlue, the new look went live on Monday. CNN's notes on the new look and interactive features follows.

CNN Press Release: CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 today unveiled new interactive digital experiences for AC360 viewers, both on CNN.com and GetGlue, the leading social network for entertainment, where users can check-in and share what they are watching, listening to and reading with friends.

On CNN.com, the redesigned AC360.com presents users with a visually dynamic blog, keeping them informed of the latest stories being investigated by the AC360 team. The main page leads with a horizontal bar allowing users to scroll through the day’s top stories, and dive deeper into blog postings and clips from the previous night’s show. AC360.com users also can drill down into several categories, including Keeping them Honest, Raw Politics, Crime and Punishment, The Ridiculist, and AC361, a new daily online-exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the show told through videos and photos taken by the AC360 staff.

Along the right rail of AC360.com, users can access and retweet the latest tweets from Anderson’s Twitter feed, @andersoncooper, as well as the show’s, @AC360. Users also can subscribe to and watch the AC360 Daily Podcast, become a fan of AC360 on Facebook and access the transcripts of recent shows, all directly from the show blog.

AC360 also has teamed up with GetGlue, to launch custom AC360 stickers for users who check-in during the show’s television broadcast on CNN. Viewers who tune-in to the show can unlock exclusive Anderson Cooper 360 stickers, including ones for users’ first , fifth (Fan), fifteenth (SuperFan) and fiftieth (DiehardFan) check-ins, as well as one for downloading the AC360 Daily Podcast.

CNN announced their schedule for April 29th Royal Wedding coverage today :

12am-1am Piers Morgan Tonight replay
1am-2am Anderson Cooper 360° replay
2am-3am CNN International (live)
3am-4am CNN International (live)
**4am-10am** ‘A Royal Wedding’ - CNN Worldwide live coverage
10am-11am CNN Newsroom
11am-12pm CNN Newsroom
12pm-1pm CNN Newsroom
1pm-2pm CNN Newsroom
2pm-3pm CNN Newsroom
3pm-4pm CNN Newsroom
4pm-5pm CNN Newsroom
5pm-7pm The Situation Room
7pm-8pm John King, USA
8pm-10pm Piers Morgan Tonight
10pm-12am Anderson Cooper 360°

CNN Press Release: Isha Sesay Joins Anderson Cooper 360° Beginning Monday, January 17th

Isha Sesay is an anchor for CNN International based at the network’s global headquarters in Atlanta. Sesay joins the Anderson Cooper 360° team and will provide news updates throughout the hour. She is expected to appear on the program on a nightly basis while still continuing her duties at CNN International.

In addition to her role on AC360, Sesay anchors 10am ET edition of International Desk Monday through Thursday from Atlanta. She also hosts and reports for Inside Africa, CNN International’s award-winning, weekly program dedicated to providing viewers with an inside look at political, economic, social and cultural affairs and trends in Africa.

A seasoned journalist, Sesay has covered numerous breaking news and world news events such as the kidnapping of British toddler, Margaret Hill, in the Niger Delta; death of Slobodan Milosevic; Liberia’s historic election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; the hospitalization of Ariel Sharon; the foiled transatlantic plane bomb plot; the Israeli-Hezbollah war; and the Live Earth concert in Johannesburg, South Africa.

While on assignment in South Africa in 2007, she covered the launch of ‘The Elders’- an initiative founded by Nelson Mandela to tackle the world’s intractable problems. Sesay also traveled to Nigeria to cover the country’s historic presidential elections in April 2007, which saw the transfer of power from one civilian government to another for the first time in the nation’s history. While there, she conducted one-on-one interviews with both the outgoing president Olusegun Obasanjo, and the new leader, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Sesay joined CNN in November 2005 from the UK broadcaster ITN, where she anchored ITV’s Early Morning News programme, as well news bulletins for the UK’s most watched breakfast programme ‘GMTV.’Prior to this, Sesay spent over three years presenting ‘Good Morning Sports Fans’ for Sky Sports. From 1998-2001, Sesay presented a wide range of programmes across the BBC networks.

A Briton of Sierra Leonean parentage, Sesay holds a BA honours English degree from Trinity College, Cambridge University.

CNN Press Release - One year after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti killing tens of thousands of people, CNN revisits the embattled country to see if progress has been made, reporting across many networks and platforms, including CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN.com and CNN Radio.

From the billion dollars pledged – but not delivered – by the international community to the seemingly permanent tent city, CNN looks at what promises have been kept and which ones have been broken. CNN’s Gary Tuchman, CNN International's Ivan Watson, CNN Radio's Steve Kastenbaum and CNN en Español's Diulka Perez will report on these issues and more this week from Port-au-Prince. Also, tune in to Anderson Cooper 360° from 10-11pm ET this Tuesday and Wednesday for special Keeping Them Honest segments on Haiti.

Photos: Ivan Watson in Haiti by CNN

CNN Press Release - Hope Survives: 30 Years of AIDS will Air Friday, January 14th at 9pm ET

CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360° will dedicate a special hour to AIDS in America as we approach 30 years since the first diagnosis. The special will focus on the role stigma continues to play in the spread of HIV both here in the U.S. and around the world, and how through education and scaled up prevention there is hope for an HIV-free future generation. The show will also explore the latest medical breakthroughs and discoveries.

In addition to Anderson Cooper’s in-depth interview with Sir Elton John about his foundation’s work to end the disease, the show will also include interviews with Academy-award winning actress Mo’nique, Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra, Phill Wilson, Founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute and co-founder of Greater Than AIDS, a new national movement developed with the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The special hour will also feature emotional clips from famous personalities on their personal “Deciding Moment” that changed how they think about the disease and inspired them to get involved, including Academy-Award winning actress Susan Sarandon, actress Sharon Stone, singer Barry Manilow, basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar, comedienne Margaret Cho, Author Maya Angelou and Jeanne White Ginder, the mother of the late Ryan White.

Sir Elton John and his Elton John AIDS Foundation have been leaders in the fight against AIDS for over 18 years, serving vulnerable at-risk populations without judgment, reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination, educating people about HIV/AIDS, and supporting science-based, culturally appropriate HIV prevention programming.

“I’m deeply grateful to CNN and Anderson Cooper for focusing a special hour of programming to bring attention to the continuing impact of HIV/AIDS, not only internationally, but also right here in the United States,” said Sir Elton John “We’ve all become way too complacent about a deadly epidemic that is only getting bigger, especially when we already have creative readily accessible prevention methods that we know to be highly effective at curtailing the spread of this disease right now.”

Established in the US in 1992 and in the UK in 1993 by Sir Elton John, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, and direct care and support services for people living with the disease. Together, both entities have raised $220 million for worthy programs in 55 countries around the globe since inception. For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.

Telepictures/Warner Brothers Domestic Television Distribution Press Release - Telepictures Productions Signs Deal with Emmy® -Award Winning Television Personality to Produce One-Hour Daily Strip for Daytime Television to be Distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution

BURBANK, Calif. (September 30, 2010) — Anderson Cooper has signed a deal to host a new, one-hour daily daytime strip, set for national syndication launch in Fall 2011, it was announced today by Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, and Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President, Telepictures Productions.

“Over the course of the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a number of daytime programs,” said Anderson Cooper. ” It’s fun and interesting to work in daytime television. The format is unique and you can really go in-depth on a wide range of fascinating and compelling stories. With this new program I hope to relay important information and relate to people and the audience in a completely different way. It’s an exciting opportunity to show another side of myself and create something worthwhile and special in daytime.”

“There is a great opportunity in the marketplace for this type of show,” said Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. “Fall ’11 begins a transition period when long established franchises are leaving the air and making way for a new generation of shows. Anderson Cooper is one of the most distinctive voices of the next generation of television. His popularity and skills uniquely position him to be the next big syndication franchise.”

“The hallmark of Telepictures’ success has been attracting iconic talent and building franchises based on their personalities. From my early days working with Rosie through our success with Ellen, we have been able to identify great talent at the right time that fills a void in daytime. Anderson fills that void today, and I’m thrilled that we’ll be welcoming him to the Telepictures family. Anderson is one of those rare talents that has a relatable and authentic persona, a keen sense of humor and intelligence and has already demonstrated his ability to resonate with daytime viewers,” said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President, Telepictures Productions.

Cooper will bring his passionate voice and personal perspective to a topical daily talk show that will tell the stories that are capturing the daytime audience’s attention. The show will have a broad palette that will cover social issues, trends and events, pop culture and celebrity, human interest stories and populist news. Cooper will tap into his compassion and fascination with the human condition and share compelling and provocative personal stories and tackle the issues that will stir debate while bringing his humorous take on what is top of mind for the daytime audience.

Cooper will address water cooler topics and interview the real people, populist newsmakers and celebrities behind these stories. From undercover investigations to hidden camera experiments, the show will give the audience new perspective in an effort to gain insight into relevant issues and social trends affecting women’s lives. In addition, Cooper will hold town hall meetings on hot button issues from race to infidelity to Internet predators. When there is breaking news, he will take the audience along with him right into the eye of the storm, as he goes beyond the headlines and into the lives of those affected. The show will feature audience participation both in the studio and live chats with home viewers. Like his predecessors Oprah Winfrey and Phil Donahue, Anderson Cooper will create a daily destination for multiple generations of women looking to be informed and entertained, gain perspective, and stay connected to each other and the world around them.

Cooper will continue to anchor CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” a provocative alternative to the typical network evening newscast, airing weeknights at 10 p.m. ET. Cooper joined CNN in December 2001 and served as CNN’s weekend anchor before moving to prime time in March 2003 following the war in Iraq. In addition to reporting for CNN, Cooper, an award-winning journalist, also provides reports for CBS’s “60 Minutes.” Dispatches from the Edge, Cooper’s memoir about covering the South Asia tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and other news events, topped the New York Times Bestsellers List and other bestseller charts. Before joining CNN, Cooper was an ABC News correspondent and host of the network’s reality program, “The Mole.” He anchored ABC’s live, interactive news and interview program, “World News Now,” as well as providing reports for “World News Tonight,” “20/20″ and “20/20 Downtown.”

Cooper graduated from Yale University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He also studied Vietnamese at the University of Hanoi.

The show will be based in New York City and produced by Telepictures Productions in association with StrongChild Productions and Anderson Cooper will serve as an Executive Producer.