Survey: CNN The Top News Brand in Africa

By Alex Weprin 

The latest EMS Africa survey, which tracks viewership across seven African nations, says that CNN and CNN International is the top news brand on the continent. CNN managed to beat out English-language competitors like BBC World News and Al Jazeera English by healthy margins, in just about every category.

In a memo to staff, CNN Worldwide president Jim Walton mentioned the EMS Survey, and used it to praise CNN’s international reach.

Over the last several years, we have made investments in international newsgathering and programming to strengthen this core part of our company. It is gratifying to see the audiences have become increasingly engaged with CNN across the globe and that the business is continuing to grow. Another positive result this year is the growth of our ad sales revenue for CNN International and we expect to finish this year with double digit revenue growth despite the global economic climate.

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The EMS Survey tracks only the wealthiest residents of the countries it polls (they also happen to be the people most likely to have cable or satellite TV). The survey looks at viewership in South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana and Uganda.

The Africa results continue a trend for CNN internationally, as it placed atop the competition in the Middle East, Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions.

More, including Walton’s full memo, after the jump.

The Baltimore Sun‘s David Zurawik writes about the news, and what it means for the company:

Now I know it’s hard to get past how badly, say, Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly beats CNN’s Anderson Cooper at 8 p.m. weeknights in the U.S.

But with this kind of international performance and the revenue it generates, the bad news for CNN/U.S. is not nearly as bad for the company as it would be for an operation like Fox that has nothing but its U.S. shows.

Walton’s note:

To: CNN Colleagues

From: Jim Walton

=======================================================

Today, new results of the latest EMS survey show CNN International is the No. 1 multi-platform international news provider in Africa – as was the case with recent results in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. It is no small accomplishment that, according to these results, CNN is the leading cross-platform international news network across these key regions.

Over the last several years, we have made investments in international newsgathering and programming to strengthen this core part of our company. It is gratifying to see the audiences have become increasingly engaged with CNN across the globe and that the business is continuing to grow. Another positive result this year is the growth of our ad sales revenue for CNN International and we expect to finish this year with double digit revenue growth despite the global economic climate.

There is nothing more important than the high quality journalism that our brand is known for around the world. In addition to the EMS results, last week, CNN garnered nine News and Documentary Emmy nominations – more than in any previous year. This follows CNN being honored with three Peabodies in May — also a record for CNN in one year — and brings our total journalism honors this year to 70.

The honors received this year and the global survey results are important reminders of the influence and importance of CNN around the world, and the contributions you make to the organization.

Congratulations on the recognition of your quality work.

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