What Does CNN Stand For?

The acronym CNN stands for Cable News Network. CNN is a news network on cable television that broadcasts news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CNN was the first 24-hour news channel in the history of television and the first channel dedicated solely to news in the United States.

CNN was launched in 1980. Its first official broadcaster was Ted Turner, then owner of the channel, introducing this 24-hours news source to American homes. Lois Heart and David Walker, a pair of journalists and a married couple, hosted the first broadcast of the news on CNN.

CNN’s coverage of many stories made it the respected name in news that it is today. For example, CNN was the only television outlet that covered the tragic mission of the Space Shuttle Challenger live. In 1986, the shuttle launched and exploded, killing all of its seven crew members.

Another occurrence that put CNN on the journalism map was the rescue of a baby from a well. In Midland, Texas, Jessica McClure was a toddler who fell down a well. CNN was at the scene nearly immediately as the story broke.

During the Gulf War, CNN surpassed the three major networks (NBC, ABC and CBS) in covering the Coalition bombing campaign within Iraq. They were the only network able to broadcast live at the time. This coverage quite literally affected how the government of the United States responded to these events.

Huge stories like the Gulf War, the attacks on September 11th, 2001 and numerous Presidential and congressional elections established CNN as a reputable source.

CNN now owns several networks, has a very successful news web site, a radio channel and has nearly one thousand local stations that are affiliated with the company. Its other channel, CNN Headline News, simply rotates through major national and international headlines every thirty minutes.

CNN is known for representing viewpoints from both main parties in the United States and for having numerous political analysts working for the network.

CNN is owned by Time Warner and its headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia.