Guide Note

CNN is an American cable news network. It was the first 24 hour cable news network and rose to prominence during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Started by billionaire Ted Turner, the network launched on June 1, 1980. CNN HD was launched on September 1, 2007. Time Warner currently owns CNN. The network has recently faced increased competition from rival cable news channels FOX News and MSNBC.

Fast Facts

1. Launched: June 1, 1980
2. Founder: Ted Turner
3. Owner: Turner Broadcasting, Time Warner
4. Available to 1.5 billion people
5. Notable Personalities: Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, Paula Zahn

CNN came into its own during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, providing 24 hour coverage of the conflict. Americans, who were used to Vietnam era nightly news journalism, flocked to the network in record numbers to watch in depth coverage of the war. The war also helped several of the news correspondents rise to prominence, including Bernard Shaw, Wolf Blitzer and Christiane Amanpour. A television movie Live from Baghdad was made about the network's Gulf War coverage.

Some of the network's most popular shows are The Situation Room, hosted by Wolf Blitzer, Amderson Cooper 360, and Lou Dobbs Tonight.