CNN Headline News
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CNN Headline News is a spin-off network from the original Cable News Network (CNN) television news network in the United States. It began broadcasting on January 1, 1982 as "CNN2" but this was changed to its current name in 1983.
Unlike CNN, which broadcasts a variety of news-related programs, such as documentaries and personality-based shows like Larry King Live and Crossfire, CNN Headline News focuses only on news updates.
The channel features 30-minute news programs 24 hours a day. Every half-hour viewers get the latest updates on top stories (headlines), financial news, national weather reports, sports, and entertainment news. CNN Headline News is famous for its distinct "screen," in which the news anchor (or news footage) appears in a sort of visual "window" surrounded by constantly-changing text, such as breaking news, sports scores, stock market reports, and weather updates.
"Headlines" (as it is known to people who work there) was always something of a step-child at CNN: the unvarying rigidity of the news cycle was contrasted with the unpredictable, live nature of the parent network. In the late 1990's, it pioneered using a digital video jukebox to recycle segments of one newscast seamlessly into another newscast, and laid off part of its staff.
In 2003, Time-Warner revamped CNN Headline News, as part of its response to competition from Fox News and MSNBC. Shows began to feature two anchors, and a more flexible format including live reports. In late 2004 and early 2005, the network announced plans to include an hour of entertainment news, Showbiz Tonight with Karyn Bryant and A. J. Hammer at 7 ET, and an hour of legal news and discussion, named after host Nancy Grace, at 8 ET.
The network is quite popular with people who may not have time for lengthy news reports. TVs playing CNN Headline News can often be found in airports, bars, and other places where there is a high demand for "get to the point" news.
Since its inception in 1982, Headline News has been syndicated to network television afflliates in the United States. It has also been simulcast on AM radio stations across the country as well.