On June 1, 1980, CNN revolutionized TV in the 80s, and the way that we consume news forever by delivering fast, round-the-clock updates on world events.
It was back in 1980 when Ted Turner launched CNN and ushered in an all-new era of news coverage. CNN, which stands for Cable News Network was a pioneer in the media landscape. The channel introduced the world to 24-hour news coverage, providing people with round-the-clock updates on worldwide events. Not only did CNN revolutionize TV in the 80s, but also reshaped and redefined the news industry forever.
The Launch of CNN
The launch of CNN took place at a time when television news was still limited to local channels. At the time, channels like ABC, NBC, and CBS provided news in the morning, sometimes at lunch, and in the evening. But the news coverage was limited to specifically assigned timeslots. If needed, the local channels could interrupt the television programming to bring you breaking news, but this was frowned upon. Since the 80s were all about significant changes politically, socially, and technologically, it just made sense to provide up-to-date news around the clock. This is what laid the groundwork for CNN to deliver its bold new idea of providing a 24-hour news cycle.
It’s important to remember that at the time the world was still dealing with the Cold War and the Iran-Contra affair. People wanted up-to-date news especially when it came to international conflicts and political upheavals. There is a need, a desire for nonstop coverage of these events. The format of CNN allowed it to cover not just national issues but also international issues. The public was increasingly interested in what was going on around the world and so they quickly adopted the new cable television channel.
CNN and the 24-Hour News Cycle on TV in the 80s
There were several key trends that emerged with the launch of CNN back in the 1980s. Not only did you get the 24-hour news cycle, but the channel brought global coverage and world events right into your living room.
The 24-Hour News Cycle
Perhaps one of the most significant developments of the launching of CNN was the concept of 24-hour news coverage. It was a revolutionary idea at the time. It’s important to remember that before CNN existed news programs only broadcasted at specific times on local channels. So, people would have to rely on special news bulletins, radio, and newspapers for anything outside of the specific time periods. However, CNN changed all of this forever. Viewers who tuned in to CNN no longer had to wait until evening news to know what was going on in the world. They can literally tune in at any time of day and get the most up-to-date information. Soon, other channels followed this approach including MSNBC and Fox News. Today, there are countless 24-hour news outlets.
Global Coverage and TV in the 80s
Then there was the global coverage. While local news broadcasts were split into 2 segments, the local news in your city or state, and the national news, they had very little coverage of what was going on beyond our borders. CNN didn’t focus on the local news in the city or state and instead focused on national and international news coverage. In its earliest years, CNN continued to cover international crises as they happened. This allowed them to provide more information than any other news outlet at the time. But, perhaps one of CNN’s most defining moments came during the 1991 Gulf War when it began broadcasting live reports from the front lines. This was the first time that anyone was able to see a war in real-time. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to natural disasters, CNN became the de facto source of real-time news and information.
Bringing World News Home
Thanks to satellite and broadcasting technology that was still in its infancy at the time, CNN was able to bring live transmissions from all over the world into your living room. It was this technological edge that gave CNN the ability to cover international stories faster and more thoroughly than any other news outlet. After all, the local channels were limited to the locations and broadcast times that they were able to cover. And, as CNN continued to expand over the years, it adopted new cutting-edge technology that improved the quality of its broadcasts forever.
Ted Turner and the Legacy of CNN
It was Ted Turner who envisioned and created CNN. He had a very bold vision at the time to revolutionize the TV and news industry forever. And, thanks to his leadership and innovation, he established CNN as the first 24-hour news network in the world. His commitment to providing global coverage, on demand, change the way that people consume news forever. Sure, CNN also had its regular scheduled programs, but it was always focused on providing national and international news as it happened. In fact, one of the original anchors on CNN, Bernard Shaw, became the face of the network’s live coverage. He helped to shape CNN’s reputation and trustworthiness as a reliable news source.
CNN’s Influence on News Media and TV in the 80s
Without question, the launch of CNN had a huge impact on news media and culture as a whole. The approach of the network to report information around the clock completely changed the relationship that viewers had with the information that they received. The channel brought news even closer to people’s daily lives, allowing them to stay connected with real-time events around the globe. People who want to follow national and international events could turn to CNN for the most up-to-date information possible.
In the end, the concept of the 24-hour news cycle has become a staple in today’s digital era. Social media platforms, news websites, and even a wide variety of streaming services provide people with a never-ending flow of news and information. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for CNN’s innovative and global approach to news coverage. Their idea and success inspired the rise of other news channels from competing outlets like CNBC or Fox News. Today, there is a smorgasbord of choices when it comes to consuming news around the clock.
Conclusion
Not only did the launch of CNN in 1980 revolutionize TV in the 80s, but it changed the way that the world consumed news at home and on the go. The channel marked a turning point in the way that news was reported to the world, and that the information was understood by the masses. The 24-hour format and global coverage embraced the latest technology of the era, creating one of the most innovative channels available on cable networks around the country.
