CNN International's World Sport unveiled a new look on Friday with revamped graphics and music. The relaunch of the program was announced last month when CNN announced the hiring of new sport anchor Amanda Davies.
Check out a scoped aircheck of the first edition of the new World Sport below.
Amanda Davies Joining CNN International's World Sport Team
CNN International today announced the appointment of Amanda Davies to its World Sport team. Davies, a sport presenter with the BBC, will join CNN International next month. The press release from CNN also reveals a relaunch of the World Sport show is due next month.
CNN Press Release: CNN International today announced that Amanda Davies is joining the network’s thriving sport team from the BBC in April.
Known to viewers worldwide as a presenter and reporter for the BBC’s coverage of world sports news and Premier League football, and to UK viewers of BBC One’s flagship weekend news programmes, daily breakfast bulletins and F1 coverage, Davies joins CNN’s London bureau as the network gears up for a year of major sporting events.
At CNN she will work alongside London-based sport anchors Pedro Pinto and Alex Thomas, covering global sport stories from football, tennis, golf and motorsport, through to basketball, cricket, rugby and athletics. Over the past 12 months CNN’s sport team has broken exclusive stories such as FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s controversial comments on racism, and interviewed world-renowned stars from Lewis Hamilton and Samuel Eto’o, to Shaquille O’Neal and Caroline Wozniacki, via Sebastian Vettel, Rory Mcllroy, David Beckham and Novak Djokovic.
Ahead of 2012’s summer of sport, CNN International’s flagship sport programme, World Sport, will also be re-launching in April.
Bill Galvin, Senior Vice President at CNN International, said: “Sport is a big part of our offering at CNN and Amanda’s addition certainly enhances what is already a very strong team. With Euro 2012 and the Olympics just around the corner it’s a very exciting time, particularly for our London bureau. Amanda’s experience covering big events and breaking news is perfect for CNN, and we’re very excited to have her on board in time for the re-launch of our World Sport show.”
Davies added: “2012 is an absolutely huge year for sport and it’s fantastic to be at the heart of that. I feel I’m joining CNN at a very exciting time for its sports coverage, and it’s good to be part of a genuinely international network. As well as giant events like the Olympics there’s a proper commitment to covering the full range of international sport here, and that’s a great prospect.”
World Sport airs daily on CNN International at 0500, 0800, 1700 and 2230 (all times BST) and the network’s extensive sports coverage can also be found online and on mobile. CNN’s sport portfolio also includes feature programmes such as Living Golf, Mainsail, Open Court, The Circuit and Winning Post.
Amanpour to Become Centerpiece of New CNN International Lineup Launching this Spring
CNN Press Release - Liza McGuirk named Executive Producer of Amanpour
Christiane Amanpour returns to CNN Worldwide this spring and will broadcast her signature program, Amanpour, in primetime in Europe and throughout the world in more than 200 countries as the centerpiece of a new CNN International lineup, it was announced today by Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International.
Each weeknight on CNN International, Amanpour will deliver the definitive international news and interview program that CNN’s worldwide audience has come to expect of the preeminent global journalist. Amanpour will air weekdays at 3 p.m. and replay at 5 p.m. (ET) on CNN International. The half-hour show will air twice during European primetime, providing viewers with an additional opportunity to tune in for a distinct take on the challenging issues facing the world.
Liza McGuirk, an award-winning producer who has more than two decades of experience in television journalism both producing and reporting, will be the executive producer of Amanpour. McGuirk will be based in New York along with Amanpour.
In the unique relationship announced in December, Amanpour’s primary role is as global affairs anchor for ABC News blazing a trail in international reporting for American viewers, in addition to her new program on CNN International reaching a vast global audience. She will continue her courageous reporting in war-torn countries for all ABC News programs, platforms and online, including her unmatched ability to land major and rare exclusive interviews with world leaders - including last year’s only interviews with Moammar Gadhafi and Hosni Mubarak. As global affairs anchor for ABC News, her ongoing assignments range from the uprisings in the Middle East to Iran's nuclear program to the Eurozone crisis. Amanpour will also report on new conflicts, natural disasters and humanitarian crises, anchor four primetime specials on ABC and continue Around the World with Christiane Amanpour, her recently launched video series for ABCNews.com and Yahoo News.
“We are delighted to see Amanpour return to the heart of CNN International’s lineup,” said Maddox. “Christiane has proven herself time and time again to be the leading international journalist in television news and with Liza’s commitment to producing compelling television, Amanpour will showcase the very best CNN has to offer.”
“I’m thrilled that Christiane’s powerful, utterly original journalistic voice will once again be heard around the world, and I look forward to helping her shape an important program at a time of great global change,” said McGuirk.
Amanpour will be at the center of a dynamic new lineup featuring existing programs International Desk, Quest Means Business, Connect the World with Becky Anderson and Piers Morgan Tonight as well as a new weekday news program anchored by CNN’s Isha Sesay, who also appears on Anderson Cooper 360°.
With the launch of Amanpour, CNN International is once again offering Europe’s primetime audience a destination program featuring one of the world’s most distinguished journalists. Known for her tough questions and extraordinary depth of knowledge, Amanpour will focus on international stories shaping the news agenda, delivering sharp analysis to an audience of more than 280 million households in more than 200 countries around the world with CNN International.
Amanpour and McGuirk have previously collaborated on a number of projects for CNN, including the award-winning 1999 documentary about Iran, Revolutionary Journey. In June 2008, McGuirk launched the Sunday morning news and discussion program Fareed Zakaria: GPS, which was nominated for an Emmy after just months of being on air. Most recently she served as the executive producer of Parker Spitzer. She also worked at CBS News for eight years, including four years producing and writing segments for the late 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley. McGuirk reports to Mike McCarthy, senior vice president of programming for CNN International.
Amanpour spent more than 25 years reporting from around the globe for CNN. Most recently, she was CNN's chief international correspondent and anchored Amanpour on CNN International from September 2009 to April 2010. In the summer of 2010, Amanpour joined ABC News and became host of ABC News’ This Week, where she was the only Sunday morning anchor nominated for an Emmy award. Her body of work has earned nine News and Documentary Emmys, four George Foster Peabody Awards, two George Polk Awards, three duPont-Columbia Awards, the Courage in Journalism Award, an Edward R. Murrow award, an inaugural Television Academy Honor and nine honorary degrees.
CNNI’s new European primetime lineup (All times Eastern): 1 p.m. International Desk; 2 p.m. Quest Means Business; 3 p.m. Amanpour; 3:30 p.m. new Isha Sesay-anchored show; 4 p.m. Connect the World with Becky Anderson; 5 p.m. Amanpour (encore); 5:30 p.m. World Sport; 6 p.m. Piers Morgan Tonight.
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.
Former CNN sport anchor Jim Huber died Monday after earlier being diagnosed with acute leukemia.
Huber was the first anchor of CNN's World Sport program in 1993 (pictured right) and was later an anchor and reporter for CNN/Sports Illustrated, the 24-hour sports news network from CNN and Sports Illustrated. He also hosted CNN’s Pro Golf Weekly and Sporting Life with Jim Huber. Most recently, Huber was a reporter and essayist for TNT.
David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports at Turner Broadcasting issued a statement earlier tonight on Huber's passing.
"The Turner Broadcasting family suffered a great loss and we are saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend, Jim Huber. A terrific Emmy Award winning journalist and essayist, Jim made so many contributions during his more than 27 years with our company. He was a gentleman and wonderful individual and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his wife, Carol, and son, Matt."
Colleagues, both past and present, were quick to offer their tributes on Twitter tonight.
"Terribly sad to hear of Jim Huber's passing. A true gentleman & wordsmith who greatly aided my transition from sportswriter to CNN reporter" - John Giannone
"So Sad to hear of the passing of Jim Huber. A great storyteller and greater person. Worked with Jim for 8 yrs. at #CNN" - Dave Breyer
"Shocked and sad to hear of the passing of ex CNN Sports reporter Jim Huber. One of the great storytellers." - PCNN
"My formative years at @CNN were spent watching Jim Huber work. I am sad I have heard his voice for the last time." - Scott Walker
"Very sad to hear that Jim Huber has passed away. Jim anchored the first ever edition of CNN's World Sport back in 1993." - Don Riddell
"Sad to hear the news of the passing of CNN Sports Jim Huber.. A terrific, Emmy Award-winning journalist and essayist." - Bob Kovach
"Just seeing news about Jim Huber's death. He provided many quality journalistic moments on CNN Sports Tonight. Sad to read about it." - Joe Rutland
CNN International will next week count down to Friday's UEFA EURO finals draw with a week-long series of special reports and feature programming on next year's tournament.
Details from CNN below.
CNN Press Release:CNN looks ahead to Euro 2012
Special preview week of in-depth coverage from Poland & Ukraine
Monday 28 November to Saturday 3 December
With just under 200 days until the UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament kicks off in Warsaw, Poland, CNN International is dedicating a week of special programming to the championships – as the top 16 teams in Europe prepare for the draw itself on Friday 2 December.CNN’s football expert, Pedro Pinto, travels to Poland and Ukraine to anchor a week of special reports that will peer inside one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.
Pinto will present a range of content looking at the personalities, infrastructure, fans, history and venues that will take centre stage on TV screens worldwide next summer.
At the heart of the week’s coverage will be a series of interviews and features with some of those most closely linked to the championships. UEFA President Michel Platini, and the legendary former AC Milan striker Andrei Shevchenko – one of Ukraine’s most famous sons – will offer their take on the Championships. Pinto also meets former Danish goalkeeper and hero of the 1992 European Championships, Peter Schmeichel, and one of the world’s greatest ever players, Zinedine Zidane, to hear what the Euro Championships conjure up for them.
Elsewhere, Pinto speaks to the head of the Polish Football Association and takes a unique plane journey across Ukraine with Deputy Prime Minister Borys Kolenikov to see all four Ukraine host cities in one day! And no coverage would be complete without the legends of yesteryear – Dutch legend, Ruud Gullit, German World Cup winner Thomas Berthold and France’s World Cup winner Marcel Desailly join Pinto to explore some of the big questions around the tournament, and take part in quick-fire quiz.
Hosting Euro 2012 is a gigantic undertaking, and the programme will also examine the host nations’ infrastructure and the all-important stadia. Will these two emerging nations be ready to welcome the thousands of fans, as well as the world’s media, next summer?
Finally, in a daily feature leading up to the draw, Pinto will look at the runners and riders in the tournament, picking out the players to watch and asking who can stop the all-conquering European and World Champions, Spain.
Mike McCarthy, vice president of coverage and feature programming for CNN International, said: “Euro 2012 is a global event, of interest far outside the continent itself, with some of the greatest footballers in the game taking part. It’s also a cultural festival and a huge logistical undertaking, and we want to get under the skin of all the stories that are emerging ahead of the draw, and picking up some of the threads that we’ll be following all the way to the tournament itself next summer.”
In addition to the week of special content, CNN World Sport will present a half hour special from Poland and Ukraine, ‘UEFA Euro 2012: The Final Draw’.
Pedro Pinto will guide viewers as the names come out of the hat, and discover who plays who among the 12 finalists, joined by top expert opinion.
‘UEFA Euro 2012: The Final Draw’ will be broadcast at the following times:
CNN International's Kate Giles presented her final World Sport program on Friday. Writing on her facebook page, Giles thanked viewers and her fans:
It wasn’t an easy decision to leave CNN, I know I'm leaving behind some great colleagues, a show I have loved working on, and a channel that has been really good to me. But I am convinced this is the right step for me.
Thank you all so much for watching over the past couple of years, and for your messages here on facebook, it really has meant a lot.
As we reported in a Weekly Observations post last month, Giles is leaving CNN to join a new sport network for SKY in Germany. Kate Giles had been with CNN International since July, 2009.
After nearly 16 years at CNN International, Terry Baddoo presented his final World Sport show on Thursday. During his final broadcast, Baddoo revealed some career highlights, which included his coverage of the 1998 World Cup.
Watch Baddoo's final sign-off, as well as a farewell from fellow World Sport anchor Pedro Pinto, in the video below.
When Katherine Green, senior Vice President of Programming for CNN International, joined the network in early 2008, she took charge of an ambitious repositioning project that eventually saw strategic changes to the network’s programming schedule planned, and implemented. Whilst some of the new programs commissioned by Green are still yet to air – notably ‘Amanpour’ and ‘W1’ – another key element of CNN International's revamp was unveiled Monday with a newly renovated London set debuting during ‘World Sport’.
In other news, the London-based program, ‘Connect The World’ with Becky Anderson, is tipped to undergo a change in graphics and titles later on Monday. Anderson teased viewers at the close of Friday’s program:
“We have a new look show next week, so do join us on Monday. We’re very excited about it.”
A possible glimpse of the new look can be found on the newly launched webpage for the show, the blog and a new promo that debuted on Monday:
Looks like Sunday morning is a good time to spot glaring mistakes on CNN/I!
At 1039 gmt, the rerun of World Sport came out of a break. However, instead of World Sport, we came right in the middle of a weather report from Martyn Jeanes. This was followed by Shihab Rattansi ending World News! This was the end of this morning's 0800 to 0830 gmt edition of World News, somehow being rebroadcast!
When World News ended, again(!), World Sport continued abruptly, in progress.
A rather amusing mistake on CNN/I this morning during the live edition of World Sport at 0830 gmt. The titles rolled as normal, followed by a fade to the long shot of the studio in Atlanta, with Candy waiting by the video wall.
In the dark. The director waited and waited, with the title music continuing, for the lights to come on. That didn't happen, and the show started with Candy Reid welcoming us to the show in the dark. It took 20 seconds or so before the lights finally dawned on Candy. No mention was made of the error.
Candy Reid re-filmed the beginning of World Sport for the re-run at 1030 gmt, which had no lighting problems.
At 0844 gmt this morning, CNN/I came out of a commerical break and into breaking news, interrupting World Sport which was live in progress from London.
Max Foster was live outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster with news of Tony Blair's impending announcement of his retirement as leader of the Labour Party, and as Prime Minister. Live footage was shown of Blair's vehicle convoy heading for RAF Northolt, from where he was to fly to his constituency of Sedgefield in north-east England.
CNN stayed with live shots of Blair entering his jet, the jet journeying to the runaway, and the plane taking off.
Regular programming resumed at 0905 gmt, with Larry King Replay in progress.
During Business International at 1000gmt, CNN/I went back to live coverage of Blair as he arrived in Sedgefield, and travelled to the Labour Club there. Adrian Finighan was anchoring from the London studio, with Max Foster at Parliament and Robin Oakley in Downing Street.
CNN/I brought live coverage of Blair's speech, when he announced he will step aside on 27 June.
Continuing live coverage from Max Foster in Westminster replaced World News Asia at 1100 gmt and part of World News at 1200 gmt. This then continued with Michael Holmes in Atlanta, with more on the story.
As an aside, the CNN/I digital downlink on the Astra 19.2ºE satellite is having some problems today. For a couple of hours, the signal has broken up intermittantly, sometimes disappearing completely with a "bad signal" message appearing. This is transmitted, and is not a local reception problem. It suggests a reception problem at the site of uplink to the satellite.
A couple of new faces have appeared behind CNN International anchor desks in recent weeks. This evening, Owen Thomas - previously with the UK's ITN - was presenting World Business Today from London. He has also co-presented CNN Today from London in the last week or so.
And not new to CNN at all, but (former?) vice-president of CNN Tim Lister has been seen presenting World Sport from Atlanta in recent weeks, usually during the weekends.
