HLN PROVIDES COMPLETE, EXPERT COVERAGE OF THE TRIAL OF DR. CONRAD MURRAY
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.
HLN Announces Royal Wedding Coverage & Special Programming
HLN has released details of their plans for coverage on Friday for the Royal wedding. Details from the press release folllows.
HLN Press Release:The Royal Wedding on Morning Express with Robin Meade 6 a.m. -12 noon ET
Airing of the Royal Wedding with frequent commentary from Robin Meade in Atlanta, Lisa Vanderpump (HLN Royal Wedding Contributor) in NY and reports from Showbiz Tonight co-host Brooke Anderson in London.
Royal Wedding Recap with Robin Meade 5-7 p.m. ET
Replay of wedding with commentary from HLN host Jane Velez-Mitchell, Anderson and Showbiz Tonight co-host, AJ Hammer.
“Joy Behar’s Royal Wedding After Party” 7 and 10 p.m. ET
Hosted by Joy Behar with special guests JOAN COLLINS, LISA RINNA, LISA VANDERPUMP (Bravo’s Real Housewife of Los Angeles and HLN Royal Wedding Contributor), NATE BERKUS (Designer and host, ‘The Nate Berkus Show’), JAY MANUEL (Fashion Expert) and COLIN QUINN (Comedian) will dish on every aspect of the Royal Wedding, and aren’t afraid to go there. Joined by a studio audience, Joy’s reception style after party will also include live shots from CNN’s Richard Quest in London who will provide colorful commentary on the big day.
Nancy Grace 8-9 p.m. ET
Full hour of highlights from London.
Showbiz Tonight 11 p.m. ET
Anderson will anchor a full hour of coverage from London, with Hammer in New York. The hour will feature the most memorable and unexpected moments of the wedding, the stars who were there, and the most talked-about fashion hits and misses.
Throughout the day, HLN will showcase viewer submitted love, wedding stories and pictures, and encourage viewers to post comments on Facebook and Twitter.
NY Post: HLN's Brooke Anderson To Co-Host 'The Insider'
The New York Post reports that HLN's Brooke Anderson is set to replace Lara Spencer as co-host of the syndicated entertainment show, 'The Insider'.
Anderson, 32, will join Kevin Frazier on the syndicated show.
Anderson, who's based in LA, will host HLN's coverage of the Royal Wedding and is expected to join "The Insider" next month.
The New York Post has a short statement from 'The Insider' executive producer Linda Bell Blue, as well as 'Showbiz Tonight' senior producer David Levine.
CNN and HLN will each air an Oscars special on February 27. Reality television identity, Camille Donatacci Grammer, has been tapped to join hosts AJ Hammer and Brooke Anderson. Details of CNN's and HLN's planned specials are below.
CNN Press Release:Grammer Joins Showbiz Tonight Hosts AJ Hammer and Brooke Anderson as Celebrity and Fashion Commentator.
Showbiz Tonight: Road to Gold Airs Sun, Feb 27, 7 p.m. ET on CNN and 11 p.m. ET on HLN
Television personality Camille Donatacci Grammer will join Showbiz Tonight as a fashion and celebrity commentator live from the Oscars on Sun, Feb 27, for the Red Carpet special, Showbiz Tonight: Road to Gold. Grammer, who stars on the TV show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, will provide her insider perspective on celebrity arrivals and fashion insights.
Grammer joins Showbiz Tonight hosts AJ Hammer and Brooke Anderson for the special, live at the Kodak Theater, 7-8 p.m. ET on CNN. Showbiz Tonight: Road to Gold returns at 11 p.m. ET on HLN and will be TV’s only entertainment news show live with the latest breaking news from the Academy Awards.
“We can’t wait to get Camille’s unabashed take on Hollywood’s biggest night,” said Dave Levine, Senior Executive Producer, CNN Entertainment and Showbiz Tonight. “She will be perfect for ‘Showbiz Tonight,’ TV’s most provocative entertainment news show.”
Also joining AJ, Brooke and Camille live at the Oscars will be acclaimed and outspoken actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and syndicated radio host Carlos Diaz with their colorful insights and candid views.
Online, CNN’s Oscar coverage will provide exceptional access to the most compelling moments from the 83rd Academy Awards at www.cnn.com/showbiz. CNN.com’s Entertainment section will feature all of the evening’s nominees and winners, photo galleries of the fashion ‘dos and don’ts’, an Oscar-themed quote board, as well as all of the excitement from the red carpet streamed live from 6 to 8 p.m. ET.
The “Show Trending Stories” tab on the Entertainment section will also present the most popular, user-driven Oscar stories according to related user activity in CNN.com’s comments, as well as on Facebook.
Users can check The Marquee Blog throughout the night or follow @CNNShowbiz for updates from the red carpet and the winners as they’re announced.
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.
CNN Announces Global Coverage for First World Autism Awareness Day
CNN Pressroom - Multiplatform Effort Will Report on Science, Intervention and Resources for Parents on Wednesday, April 2
CNN will use its unparalleled newsgathering resources to report on the global impact and latest science of the developmental syndrome of autism for the first “World Autism Awareness Day.” Online as well as on CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN en Español and Headline News, CNN will report on medical insights, information on treatments and intervention, and details about services available for those living with autism for the inaugural international awareness day on Wednesday, April 2.
On CNN/U.S., chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta will report on a range of issues related to autism spectrum disorder beginning on CNN’s American Morning at 6 a.m. through Anderson Cooper 360°.
Worldwide, it is estimated that as many as 35 million people have autism and face considerable challenges and often discrimination. In November 2007, the United Nations declared that April 2 would be an annual day to “encourage Member States to take measures to raise awareness about children with autism throughout society.”
“Bringing awareness and information to viewers and online users globally on topics of urgency and importance, like autism, is exactly what CNN does best,” said Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. “And Sanjay Gupta as our daylong guide for our reporting on this issue is a real differentiator for CNN. It will give depth to our reporting that no other network can offer.”
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in 2007 that as many as 1 in 150 8-year-old children in multiple areas of the United States had an autism spectrum disorder. Parents must often navigate their own paths to find helpful therapies and finance expensive education and other services independently.
In anticipation of World Autism Awareness Day, CNN.com will offer expanded coverage of this mysterious neurological disorder. Viewers will be able to access news and information including the latest medical theories and research about autism as well as the stories of people who live every day with the condition. Through multimedia and interactive elements, as well as traditional stories and videos, viewers will be invited to expand their knowledge and understanding of autism.
Viewers and users are encouraged to share their firsthand accounts of life with autism through video, photo, audio or text submissions to www.iReport.com, CNN’s recently launched user-generated community Web site. Autism-related iReports are available at www.iReport.com/tags/autism; and iReport.com contributors also may gain recognition by having the material they submit to the site – once vetted and approved for use – appear on a CNN network or CNN.com.
On the weekend preceding World Autism Awareness Day, Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta will devote the full broadcast of House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta to explain the latest medical thinking regarding early signs of autism. While most children are diagnosed with autism at about age two, studies suggest that earlier diagnoses may offer opportunities for critical behavioral interventions. Gupta will explain warnings signs that may be observable as early as 6 to 12 months of age, when early interventions may improve developmental outcomes. House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta airs Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Gupta’s investigation into issues related to insurance coverage and educational therapies for families living with autism will be featured on CNN Radio for affiliates. On CNN.com, the “Paging Dr. Gupta Blog” and “Paging Dr. Gupta” podcast will also feature helpful information for families on autism.
Also on Saturday, March 29, personal finance editor Gerri Willis will offer advice for parents on coping with the tremendous costs of autism for Open House. Open House airs Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.
Preliminary coverage plans for World Autism Awareness Day on Wednesday, April 2, include:
· American Morning will introduce CNN viewers to triplets – each with autism at varying severity – born to Lynn and Randy Gaston in Ellicott City, Md. Additional reports will feature adults living with autism and distinguish medical myths from realities associated with a range of therapies and treatments. CNN’s American Morning airs weekdays on CNN/U.S. from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
· On CNN en Español, En Familia, a 30 minute program that serves as a guide to parents, and Consulta Médica, a 30-minute prime-time program dedicated to personal health and fitness, will be focusing on the educational needs of children with autism, and addressing the latest controversies examining the link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder. En Familia airs each Monday at 11:30 a.m. and Consulta Médica airs each Tuesday on CNN en Español at 11:30 a.m.
· A one-hour global simulcast special We Have Autism, anchored by CNN International’s Colleen McEdwards, will air at noon and focus on the experiences of families living with autism around the world and feature an interview with Suzanne Wright, the co-founder of Autism Speaks, an advocacy organization for people and families living with autism. McEdwards will also report on people living with extreme symptoms of autism, with a focus on Tito, a young man who despite his severe autism, has become a high-functioning poet and author. CNN international correspondent Wilf Dinnick will report on Qatar’s state-of-the-art Shafallah Centre that assists autistic children. The nation of Qatar is credited with leading U.N. efforts to establish World Autism Awareness Day as a day of global awareness. Also for We Have Autism, international correspondent John Vause will report from China about life with autism under communism. U.S. affairs editor for CNN International, Jill Dougherty will report on a family with a child recently diagnosed as autistic as they seek the best help for their child. We Have Autism will air on CNN/U.S. and CNN International.
· Actor, author, parent and autism activist Jenny McCarthy, as well as Bobby Kennedy, Jr., senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council who believes that thimerosal in vaccines is responsible for autism, will be guests on Larry King Live. Larry King Live airs weeknights on CNN/U.S. at 9 p.m. and replays at midnight.
· “Finding Amanda,” a one-hour Anderson Cooper 360° special, features a few of the approximately 600,000 American adults who live with autism. Gupta will introduce viewers to Amanda Baggs of Burlington, Vt., and others, who share with him how they experience the world – from their perspective. “Finding Amanda” will premiere on CNN/U.S. at 11 p.m. and replay at 2 a.m.
· Showbiz Tonight will feature a report on a groundbreaking documentary, Autism: The Musical, set to debut on HBO on Tuesday, March 25. Showbiz Tonight airs on Headline News weeknights at 11 p.m. and replays at 2 a.m.
· CNN Newsource will offer affiliates custom liveshots with medical correspondent Judy Fortin between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on April 2 about how families with older children living with autism cope with their challenges. Fortin’s package features a Grayson, Ga., family with a 12-year-old autistic child.
Additional programming focused upon autism will be announced closer to April 2.
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 Official Headline News site at http://www.headlinenews.com/ mentions upcoming changes to the network lineup. From what I can gather (and please, help me out if anyone knows any changes):
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.
