CNN Press Release - HLN is America’s television destination for coverage of the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, the man accused of causing the death of Michael Jackson. Beginning today, HLN’s deep bench of talent provides a complete view of events in and around the Los Angeles Superior Court, as well as a comprehensive exploration into the lives of the Jackson family and Murray. Network hosts and reporters including Nancy Grace, Jane Velez-Mitchell, AJ Hammer, Ryan Smith and Vinnie Politan deliver up to the minute reports on the latest trial action, and hosts Dr. Drew Pinsky, Joy Behar and Robin Meade feature special programming daily on their respective shows.

“HLN’s team is fully committed to presenting all aspects of the trial. Our programming will shed light on an incredibly complex man, his family and what led to his untimely death,” said Scot Safon, GM and EVP, HLN. “HLN will feature a variety of voices and an array of expertise that will thoughtfully analyze the motivations of the people involved in this story.”

As opening arguments begin on Tue, Sep 27, HLN will air gavel-to-gavel coverage each day beginning at 11 a.m. ET, providing pre and post trial analysis from inside and outside the Los Angeles County Courthouse.

Each hour of HLN’s signature programs throughout the day will provide a distinct look at this gripping drama as it unfolds: (all times eastern)

Morning Express with Robin Meade 6 a.m. – 11am
One of the top-rated morning shows in the country, Morning Express with Robin Meade gives viewers their daily courtroom developments while also exploring the human connection.

Special Report at 11 a.m.
Host Vinnie Politan, a lawyer and former prosecutor, will take viewers through the daily events in the courtroom and get to the two characters at the center of this story: Dr. Conrad Murray and Michael Jackson.

News Now at 3 p.m.
Live from Los Angeles, Hosts Ryan Smith and Jane Velez-Mitchell bring viewers up the minute developments in the courtroom as they happen while analyzing what the viewers have seen. Smith, a former entertainment attorney and host of InSession, gets to the heart of the story with his curiosity and connects the dots to find the truth behind what people are saying.

Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell at 7 p.m.
Utilizing Velez-Mitchell's years of experience covering Jackson during his previous legal battles, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell pursues the truth by following the details of the trial and the characters at the center of the headlines.

Nancy Grace at 8 p.m.
Grace, the most prominent legal expert in media, uses her expertise to seek justice and serves up daily legal developments, delivering up-to-the-minute details of the trial's twists and turns.

Dr Drew at 9 p.m.
As a doctor and addiction specialist, Dr. Drew Pinsky takes center stage and tackles the celebrity culture, demystifying why players at the heart of this story do what they do. Pinsky explores the behaviors of celebrity addicts as well as the doctors who treat them and how Jackson’s story ended in tragedy.

The Joy Behar Show at 10 p.m.
Behar explores Michael’s life and the Jackson family dynamic, adding color and context to the discussion from her celebrity guests and panelists. Behar gets the answers to the questions her viewers are asking and connects them to the story.

Showbiz Tonight at 11 p.m.
Showcasing Hammer’s years of reporting on Hollywood and the music industry, Showbiz Tonight highlights why Jackson’s music still matters, his legacy and how this trial impacts millions of fans globally.

In addition, HLN chronicles the mysterious life and death of Jackson in a two-part documentary, The Death of Michael Jackson: Dr. Conrad Murray on Trial airing on Sat, Sep 24, at 9 p.m. (ET). Hosted by Grace, the documentary features expert commentary by HLN’s Dr. Drew Pinsky, Jane Velez-Mitchell, Joy Behar, Vinnie Politan, Robin Meade, AJ Hammer and Ryan Smith who dissect the question: “how did it come to this?” Part one, airing Sep 24, examines the mysterious live and death of Michael Jackson and ultimately how it led to Conrad Murray being on trial. Part two, will feature details from inside the trial and the dramatic developments that led to the verdict with expert analysis from HLN’s team and reaction from around the world.

HLN is a CNN Worldwide network offered in more than 90 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. 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 U.S.; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

Ranks #1 in Cable News 9a to 5p Among 25-54 in July

HLN Programs Post Double and Triple Digit Gains Over Year-Ago

More Than 5 Million Tune in to HLN for Casey Anthony Verdict in July

CNN Press Release - In July, HLN posted its best month ever in Total Day among both total viewers and the 25-54 demo (702k and 230k, respectively), topping solid numbers from June and previous highly-ranked months including September 2001. It also had its best delivery ever in M-Su Prime among total viewers (998k) and ranked #1 in the dayside daypart (M-F 9a-5p) across all cable news among 25-54 viewers (256k).

Additionally on July 5, during the breaking news coverage of the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, HLN was the most-watched television network on broadcast or cable with more than 5.2 million viewers turning between 2:15 and 2:30 during the reading of the verdict.

HLN’s entire line-up achieved double and triple digit gains versus year-ago, with highlights including:

Morning Express with Robin Meade posted an increase of +74% in total viewers (524k) and a +20% gain among demo viewers (199k), topping MSNBC’s Morning Joe in both demos to rank as the #2 cable news morning show in the month of July.

HLN Special Report at 5p posted a whopping +318% increase compared to a year ago among total viewers (1.016 million) and grew +195% among demo viewers (301k), far and away the most growth of any cable news network at 5p.

Prime News at 6p increased +224% among total viewers (900k) and grew +151% among demo viewers (281k), the most growth of any cable news network at 6p.

Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell scored a +116% gain among total viewers (960k) and +75% growth among demo viewers (298k), the most growth of any cable news network at 7p.

Nancy Grace ranked as HLN’s top program of the month, posting a +98% increase in total viewers (1.369 million) and +89% among demo viewers (411k), the most growth of any cable news network at 8p.

Dr. Drew increased by +119 in total viewers (1.148 million) and +139% among demo viewers (335k), the most growth in cable news at 9p.

HLN is noting its numbers for Q2, 2011. Details from HLN below.

HLN Press Release: HLN POSTS STRONG YEAR-OVER-YEAR MONTHLY RATINGS GAINS – INCREASING +79% IN PRIME AND +48% IN TOTAL DAY IN THE DEMO

HLN Tops MSNBC in Total Day and Prime, Outperforms FNC at 2p, 3p & 4p in June

Prime and Dayside Programming Posting Best Month Ever; Experiencing Triple and Double Digit Gains vs. Prior Year

JUNE 28, 2011—HLN increased a substantial +86% in P2+ (982k vs. 529k) and +79% in P25-54 (292k vs. 163k) in M-Su prime and +98% in P2+ (601k vs. 303k) and +48% in P25-54 (192k vs. 130k) in total day vs. June 2010, posting its best month ever in both dayparts among total viewers. In addition, HLN topped MSNBC in M-Su prime and total day in P2+ and P25-54, and was #1 in cable news outperforming FNC at 3p and 4p in both demos and at 2p in P25-54.

HLN programming highlights include:

Nancy Grace (8p) grew +85% in P2+ (1.5M vs. 815k) and +87% in P25-54 (452k vs. 242k), marking its best month ever in total viewers and its best since Feb 09 in P25-54, ranking #2 among cable news for the month in both demos at 8p. In addition, Nancy Grace dramatically closed the gap with The O’Reilly Factor in both demos, besting the FNC show by +24% in P18-34, and was the third most watched cable news program in the demo in June.

HLN’s newest hit, Dr. Drew (9p) increased +90% in P2+ (1.2M vs. 622k) and +120% in P25-54 (339k vs. 154k), ranking #2 in both demos at 9p across cable news.

The Joy Behar Show (10p) up +73% in P2+ (862k vs. 497k) and +48% in P25-54 (273k vs. 184k), posting the show’s best month ever and ranking #2 in both demos at 10p across cable news.

Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell (7p) grew +110% in P2+ (991k vs. 471k) and +87% in P25-54 (312k vs. 167k), experiencing its best month ever and ranking #2 in both demos at 7p across cable news.

HLN News at 2p, 3p and 4p ranked #1 in P25-54 among cable news networks, posting triple and double-digit gains: +85% (191k), +254% (322k) and +278% (355k), also ranking #1 at 3p and 4p in P2+: +382% (1.3M) and +456% (1.3M).

Launched on May 2, HLN Special Report, hosted by Vinnie Politan, (5p) posted triple digits gains, up +379% in P2+ (1.1M vs. 229k) and +209% in P25-54 (309k vs. 100k).

Prime News with Vinnie Politan (6p) also posted triple-digit gains, up +242% in P2+ (919k vs. 269k) and up +136% P25-54 (288k vs. 122k), posting its best month ever and ranking #2 in both demos for the hour among cable news.

In Q211, HLN’s M-Su prime increased +12% in P2+ (549k vs. 490k) and +8% in P25-54 (170k vs. 158k), and total day +23% in P2+ (357k vs. 290k) and flat in the demo (128k).

Driven by the Casey Anthony trial, HLN digital properties have also experienced significant gains, including:


Facebook

· Nancy Grace’s Facebook fan page has more than 634,000 fans, 37,000 of which joined in June. Since the Casey Anthony trial began the fan page has experienced:

* More than 49,000 new fans
* 378,000 total likes and comments
* Daily average of 11,000 likes and comments, double the daily average from April 2011

Source: Facebook insights


Twitter

As of June 28, key HLN accounts covering news of the Casey Anthony trial had more than 226,000 followers, including (below are follower counts and % increase over April):

* @HLNTV had 30,000 followers up 81%
* @NancyGraceHLN had 58,900 followers up 229%
* @VinniePolitan had 85,000 followers up 355%
* @TeamNancyHLN had 17,800 followers since it launched on May 10th, the account is up 225% since the trial began
* @Ryansmithtv had more than 6,800 followers up 640%

Source: Twitter & Twittercounter
(all data based on June 11 vs. June 10 unless otherwise noted)

CNN Press Release: JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL HOSTS TWO-PART SPECIAL EVERY PARENT’S NIGHTMARE ON HLN

Victims’ rights advocate, author and anchor Jane Velez-Mitchell will host a powerful two-part special Every Parent’s Nightmare- An Issues Investigation on Thursday, November 4 and Friday, November 5 at 7p (ET). Jane speaks with anguished parents of abducted and murdered children whose stories she has covered on her HLN show Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell.

For the first time, Jane brings together parents Ed Smart, Erin Runnion, Mark Lunsford, Ahmad Rivazfar and Diena Thompson, members of the Surviving Parents Coalition. These surviving parents strongly believe that by telling their stories, they can save children’s’ lives and live out theirs without anger and revenge. As these parents shared their emotional stories, Jane helps identify solutions to keep kids in every community safe.

In September, The Surviving Parents Coalition completed a cross-country bike journey called “The Ride for Their Lives” to raise money for the Adam Walsh Act to create a national sex offender registry and to raise awareness on how we can protect children from predators.

The discussion with these parents touched and deeply moved Jane and her producers as each one remembered the moment they were told their children were missing or never coming home. Watch as they describe turning their grief into action here.

Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell airs daily on HLN at 7 p.m. (ET).

CNN Press Release - IN KEY DEMO 25-54, HLN OUTPERFORMS MSNBC IN TOTAL DAY; NANCY GRACE BEATS COUNTDOWN

MSNBC PLACES 4TH OR 5TH DURING THE DAY; OLBERMANN, MADDOW SLIP TO 3RD; HARDBALL, MORNING JOE ARE 4TH

In January, CNN topped MSNBC during daytime (9am-5pm), total day (6am-6am) and in weekday primetime (8-11pm) in both total viewers and in the key demo adults 25-54.

In head-to-head comparisons with MSNBC’s daytime non-opinion news programming – CNN dominated, averaging 658k vs. 305k in total viewers (+116%), and 165k vs. 75k in adults 25-54 (+120%). MSNBC placed either fourth or fifth (trailing behind CNBC) every weekday hour throughout the day (9 am until 5 pm) in the key demo 25-54. At 5pm, Hardball slipped to fourth place behind FNC, CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and HLN’s Prime News among adults 25-54, and also placed fourth at 7 pm, trailing FNC, CNN and HLN’s Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell.

CNN also outperformed MSNBC in total day (6am-6am) in both total viewers (577k vs. 369k) and among adults 25-54 (177k vs. 122k). And HLN topped MSNBC in total day in the key demo adults 25-54 with 130k vs. MSNBC’s 122k.

In weekday prime, CNN topped MSNBC (M-F/8-11 pm) in both total viewers and among the key demographic adults 25-54. For the month, CNN averaged 946k total viewers, a 13% advantage over MSNBC’s 838k, and 294k among adults 25-54, a 20% lead over MSNBC’s 245k. This represents the first time in six months that CNN topped MSNBC in the key demographic adults 25-54 in prime. Compared to December 2009, CNN grew an impressive 52% among adults 25-54 (294k vs. 194k), while MSNBC was up only 14% (245k vs. 214k).

At 10 pm, Anderson Cooper 360 had a 52% advantage over MSNBC in total viewers (906k vs. 597k) and a 51% lead in the key demographic adults 25-54 (305k vs. 202k) in January. CNN’s Larry King topped MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow at 9 pm in both total viewers (930k vs.876k) and the key demo 25-54 (264k vs. 233k). And at 8 pm, CNN’s Campbell Brown grew significantly in January, up 43% in total viewers and 73% in 25-54 compared to last month, while Countdown with Keith Olbermann increased only 6%/7% respectively vs. December. Countdown also placed third in January, behind FNC and HLN’s Nancy Grace among adults 25-54. CNN is the only cable news network that provides non-partisan programming representing all points of view in primetime.

In the morning (6-9 am), CNN’s American Morning placed second in total viewers, while both CNN and HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade outperformed MSNBC’s Morning Joe among adults 25-54 with HLN averaging 166k, CNN posting 152k, and Morning Joe trailing with 100k.

During January, CNN reached 118.0 million viewers, FNC had 103.4 million, HLN posted 98.5 million and MSNBC had 91.3 million.

HLN:
As HLN approaches the fifth anniversary of its 2005 revamp to personality-based programming in primetime, it continues to celebrate ratings successes across the board. HLN beat MSNBC in total day in 25-54 (130k to 122k). Morning Express with Robin Meade placed second in 25-54, beating MSNBC’s Morning Joe (166k to100k). Nancy Grace continued its reign as HLN’s highest-rated program, overpowering Countdown with Keith Olbermann in adults 25-54 (283K to 267k). In its fourth month, The Joy Behar Show posted its best monthly deliveries yet among both total viewers (687k) and adults 25-54 (188k). The Joy Behar Show also posted 42% growth among total viewers versus last year (the most growth of any 9 pm cable news show).

CNN Press Release - Nancy Grace, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell Posts Highest 7 P.M. Ratings in Network HistoryBeats Countdown with Keith Olbermann for Third Consecutive Month

In February, HLN posted the largest year-to-year gains of any cable news network in primetime, the third consecutive month it earned that claim among both total viewers and the key P25-54 demographic. It also enjoyed more P25-54 growth than its competitors in total day for the recently completed reporting period. HLN’s growth was fueled in part by the success of Nancy Grace at 8 p.m., which beat MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann in the key P25-54 demo to rank as the No. 5 program in all of cable news.

HLN’s M-Su primetime audience grew by 56 percent in total viewers over a year ago (671,000 vs. 431,000) and by 62 percent in P25-54 (272,000 vs. 168,000), with each weekday program from 7 p.m. on enjoying increases in excess of 30% in the key P25-54 demo. Gains in total day were also impressive, building by 19 percent in total viewers (333,000 vs. 279,000) and 28% in P25-54 (151,000 vs. 118,000).

Nancy Grace topped Countdown with an average of 470,000 P25-54 viewers at 8 p.m. in February 2009, versus the 448,000 mark attained by Countdown. Nancy Grace’s audience grew an impressive 83 percent over last year in the key demo and 74 percent in total viewers – the greatest growth of any cable news program in its time period. Nancy Grace also outperformed Countdown among P25-54 in their same-day repeat telecasts at 10 p.m. (310,000 vs. 285,000).

In its fourth full month on the air, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell posted the network’s largest 7 p.m. audience in P25-54 (241,000) since the launch of HLN’s primetime block in February 2005 – beating its own record set last month. The show also scored the largest P2+ audience at 7 p.m. in the network’s history (596,000).

Showbiz Tonight scored its highest month ever at 11 p.m. in the P25-54 demo (237,000). The show also scored the most growth in the demo in its time period with an impressive 33 percent gain over February 2008.

HLN, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, updates viewers constantly, 24 hours each day, with complete and concise national newscasts throughout the day and a compelling slate of legal, entertainment and talk programs night. The network delivers fast-paced, lively and engaging news, using the best resources of CNN Worldwide. HLN is designed especially for viewers who want relevant and comprehensive news in a way that suits the urgency of their schedules.