CNN Press Release - Series Will Air Weekends on CNN/US in 2013

CNN has acquired the non-fiction series Crimes of the Century, which explores historic news events in depth, from the Madoff scandal to the Oklahoma City bombing. The series is being executive produced by acclaimed director Ridley Scott along with David Zucker and Mary Lisio of Scott Free Productions, which will air on weekends on CNN/US beginning in 2013.

This acquisition is another step in our mission to broaden the scope of programming on CNN and give viewers even more of the stories and information that impact their lives. It is an expertly-produced, captivating series that delves deeply into some of the most fascinating news events of our day that demand further scrutiny, said Vinnie Malhotra, senior vice president of development and acquisitions for CNN Worldwide.

Each episode of the series examines a major news event – one that attracted national attention and helped define the era. With a visual style that includes CGI and animation, the program places the viewer at the scene of the crime employing never-before-scene-footage and interviews with witnesses, victims, and investigators of crimes that became part of the Zeitgeist.

Malhotra and Amy Entelis, senior vice president of talent and content development for CNN Worldwide, oversee the CNN program development department. Crimes of the Century is among the department's recent series acquisitions that include Anthony Bourdain' Parts Unknown and Morgan Spurlock's Inside Man, both of which will also air weekends on CNN in April 2013.

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.

CNN today announced the appointment of Vinni Malhotra to senior vice president of development and acquisitions. CNN's press release below.

CNN Press Release: VINNIE MALHOTRA JOINS CNN AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITIONS

Vinnie Malhotra, a former program development executive at ESPN and long-time ABC News producer, joins CNN as senior vice president for development and acquisitions, it was announced by Mark Whitaker, CNN Worldwide managing editor.

Based in Los Angeles, Malhotra will report to Amy Entelis, senior vice president for talent and content development. He will pursue development opportunities with outside production companies on behalf of the various networks of CNN Worldwide.

“Vinnie has a strong record of creating captivating programming, an award-winning news background covering major national and international stories, and experience integrating content across multiple platforms.” said Entelis. “We welcome Vinnie to CNN and are thrilled to have him join our team.”

Malhotra joined ESPN in 2010 as vice president, executive producer, content development. In this position, he was responsible for the development of films that includeEverything in Between: The Tim Tebow Story, The Color Orange, The Brady 6 and The Marinovich Project. He also developed scripted and non-scripted series for the network, and was part of the development team that created the new ESPN Quarterback rating “Total QBR” that is now being used in association with all NFL coverage on ESPN.

Malhotra began his career with ABC News in 1997 and worked on several of the news organization’s signature programs including Nightline and World News Tonight, and served as a producer for Peter Jennings for three years. He later worked with co-anchors Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff and was part of the convoy in Iraq when Woodruff and a cameraman were hit by an IED in January 2006. Malhotra was uninjured.

During his thirteen years at ABC News, Malhotra covered major global events including the Iraq War and the inauguration of President Barack Obama. From 2007 to 2010, Malhotra was executive producer of ABC News’ weekend news content, includingWorld News Saturday and World News Sunday, and oversaw the weekend editorial content and production for ABCNEWS.com and ABC News Now, among other ABC News digital platforms.

Malhotra has received numerous industry honors including five News and Documentary Emmy Awards and a duPont.

Malhotra is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and communications.