“We have been masters of our fate this year, creating our own momentum through the power of our journalism. And the audience is responding,” CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein wrote in a memo to staffers this afternoon. Here’s an excerpt:
“For the year, CNN/U.S. and Headline News are the fastest growing networks in both total day and prime time in the 25-54 demographic that is so important to advertisers. All of our CNN/U.S. programs from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. attracted double-digit growth in the demo, while our main news competitor fell in each of those hours. Paula Zahn’s program grew the most this year — an astounding 43% gain over last year despite being up against some of the most talked-about personalities in cable news. Anderson Cooper and recently Wolf Blitzer were close behind at 7pm, with a rise of 35%. (Anderson’s new time slot is up in both hours since the launch, with amazing 50% growth during the 11 pm hour versus a year ago.) Larry King won the most individual nights, retaining the heavyweight crown in his 20th year at the network — he obviously still packs a strong punch, and remains the anchor of our prime time schedule. The indefatigable Lou Dobbs also gained new momentum this year, up 20%. In addition, the O’Briens in the morning, Daryn Kagan and Kyra Phillips in daytime all drew impressive increases.”
The full memo is after the jump…
To: CNN U.S.
From: Jon Klein
CNN has made tremendous strides in 2005, and, as the year comes to a close, I want to thank each and every one of you for your contributions to this success.
The network has embraced its mission of being the world’s best television news organization — and we have been rewarded for it by our peers, the press, the audience, and advertisers.
You have risen to the challenge of delivering more compelling in-depth stories than any other news network — introducing our viewers to real people whose lives illustrate the most pressing issues of the moment. We remain the place to turn for breaking news, and the place to stay as historic events unfold in their entire dimension. Our outstanding coverage of the tsunami, Terri Schiavo, the death of Pope John Paul II, an historic hurricane season, famine in Africa and elections in Iraq has reinforced Americans’ strongly-held conviction that CNN is essential viewing. “The most trusted name in news” is not an empty slogan — it is an honor you re-earn every day through your sweat, dedication, and sheer talent.
It’s more fun to work at a place where unbridled passion for the news is translated directly onto the screen. No surprise, then, that we’re more fun to watch as a result — more energized and engaging on the air.
We’ve launched a blazingly inventive new show, The Situation Room (with Wolf setting a new human endurance record), while revitalizing many others, including the expanded editions of American Morning, Anderson Cooper 360, Live From, On the Story and Reliable Sources. And we’ve showcased the outstanding work being done across the entire CNN News Group by simulcasting Your World Today, creating the “.com Desk” reports, and launching “Headline Newsbreaks” in prime time.
Our peers have taken notice. CNN reporters were once again the most honored among news networks and received wide critical acclaim throughout the year. Most recently, the prestigious duPont Awards recognized CNN for our tsunami coverage. Last month we won the Emmy for investigative reporting and Lou Dobbs was recognized for a lifetime of outstanding work. Our documentary series, CNN Presents, won an IDA award as Best Continuing Series. Candy Crowley won Murrow and RTNDA awards for her unique political reporting, and Ed Henry was honored with a Dirksen award just to name a few of CNN’s distinctions.
We have been masters of our fate this year, creating our own momentum through the power of our journalism. And the audience is responding. For the year, CNN/U.S. and Headline News are the fastest growing networks in both total day and prime time in the 25-54 demographic that is so important to advertisers. All of our CNN/U.S. programs from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. attracted double-digit growth in the demo, while our main news competitor fell in each of those hours. Paula Zahn’s program grew the most this year — an astounding 43% gain over last year despite being up against some of the most talked-about personalities in cable news. Anderson Cooper and recently Wolf Blitzer were close behind at 7pm, with a rise of 35%. (Anderson’s new time slot is up in both hours since the launch, with amazing 50% growth during the 11 pm hour versus a year ago.) Larry King won the most individual nights, retaining the heavyweight crown in his 20th year at the network — he obviously still packs a strong punch, and remains the anchor of our prime time schedule. The indefatigable Lou Dobbs also gained new momentum this year, up 20%. In addition, the O’Briens in the morning, Daryn Kagan and Kyra Phillips in daytime all drew impressive increases.
I thank you for an amazing year, and look forward to joining with each of you to build on these success stories and forge new ones in the year ahead. Please take a moment to savor your accomplishments, and then enjoy a healthy and happy holiday season with family and friends.