Channel One Switches to CBS

By Chris Ariens 

Channel One Network, which provides news and content for teens, announced that it is partnering with CBS News and will form a new production unit beginning this fall. Channel One had been partnering with NBC News since July 2007.

Going forward, CBS News Productions will co-produce Channel One’s award-winning broadcast, Channel One News. The newscast began as a pilot program in four high schools in 1989 and now which reaches more than six million middle and high-school students across the country on a daily basis.

In a note to staff this morning CBS News & Sports president Sean McManus wrote, “We are looking forward to helping bring the world to millions of America’s youth each school day and to working with the bright young journalists of Channel One.”

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McManus wrote about several Channel One alums now working for CBS News, “including Seth Doane, Tracy Smith, John D’Amelio, Serena Altschul, Andy Merlis and Cali Carlin.”

The press release after the jump…


CHANNEL ONE NETWORK AND CBS NEWS TO CO-PRODUCE AWARD-WINNING WEEKDAY NEWSCAST FOR TEENS BEGINNING THIS FALL

Partnership Provides New Resources for Channel One; A New Audience and a New Outlet for CBS News

NEW YORK, NY (June 21, 2009) – Channel One Network, the preeminent news and content provider for teens, today announced it has partnered with CBS News to form a new production unit. Commencing in fall 2009, CBS News Productions will co-produce Channel One’s longstanding, award-winning news broadcast, Channel One News, which reaches more than six million middle and high-school students across the country on a daily basis.

“CBS News is committed to providing outstanding coverage, breaking news, politics and human interest stories across many platforms to many audiences and we view America’s youth as a uniquely important audience,” said Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports. “Our partnership with Channel One expands our commitment to the next generation by reporting the news stories that are important to teens and sharing their unique insights with other CBS News viewers.”

CBS News’ dedication to including young Americans in the national forum is a commitment that most recently has included the unique ongoing “CBS REPORTS: Children of the Recession,” series of segments exploring the many ways the current economic climate is impacting our country’s youth.

“Channel One and CBS News share the same values of creating the highest quality news and current affairs programming,” stated Margery Baker, Vice President CBS News and the executive in charge of CBS News Productions. “We are very pleased at the prospect of producing content that specifically resonates with and educates young students through this collaboration.”

Partnering with CBS News Productions in the production of the daily 12-minute Channel One News broadcast offers Channel One the ability to draw on the vast resources of CBS News, thereby further enhancing Channel One’s ability to deliver topical and thought-provoking features to students. Channel One News will premiere its fall broadcast from a newly designed and visually dynamic set within CBS News.

“As we approach our twentieth anniversary of delivering news directly to America’s youth, we are elated to partner with a news organization that shares our steadfast commitment to broadcasting quality content that enriches teens’ learning experience and prepares them to become successful citizens,” commented Kent Haehl, CEO of Channel One Network. “CBS News brings a tremendous and storied history of exceptional, award-winning news programming. We look forward to adding their expertise to Channel One’s own unique voice, as well as conveying CBS News’ coverage to an extensive and vital generation of viewers.”

Additionally, through You Tell It (www.YouTellIt.com ), Channel One’s emergent user-generated video platform, the Channel One Network is providing teens with a unique channel in which they may share newsworthy experiences affecting their generation. You Tell It video submissions will be selectively integrated into the Channel One News broadcast, giving teens a platform through which they may voice their opinions and share their stories with like-minded peers.

Angela Hunter, SVP, Executive Producer of Channel One News, offered, “Channel One’s broadcast and new social media platforms are fueling young America’s thirst for information and providing valuable resources for peer-driven storytelling and responsible reporting.”

“Our collaboration with CBS raises the volume of the youth voice,” added Ms. Hunter. “We look forward to welcoming students back to school with visible energy and advancements in Channel One’s programming, from a fresh and vibrant backdrop to broadened and in-depth coverage on the immediate issues facing their generation.”

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