CNN Launches ‘CNN Creators’ Unit, New Weekly Show from Doha Hub
CNN today announced the creation of a new content creation unit, CNN Creators, and a corresponding 30-minute weekly show set to premiere on October 23, marking a significant step in the network’s broader digital transformation.
Based out of CNN’s recently established Middle East hub in Media City Qatar, Doha, CNN Creators will focus on “AI, tech, art, culture, sport, and social trends,” according to a company statement. The new show, also titled “CNN Creators,” will feature a competitive format where two teams of content creators “go head-to-head” each week, crafting stories around a chosen topic and presenting their final pieces in a live showdown. “This is unlike any show we have ever launched,” said CNN international executive Meara Erdozain, adding that the program “will reflect how our younger audiences are engaging with stories and will deliver compelling, entertaining content in a multitude of ways.”
Andrew Potter, formerly a producer with Vice Media, will lead the CNN Creators team. This initiative arrives as CNN undergoes a substantial digital reimagining, including the planned launch of a standalone subscription product this fall and testing a metered paywall for its digital content – a move following the shuttering of CNN+ in 2022. The network is actively working to diversify its revenue streams beyond traditional cable television, a challenge facing many news organizations in the evolving media landscape. CNN currently boasts nearly 75 million monthly unique visitors to its digital platforms, positioning it as a major player alongside The New York Times in online news consumption.
The launch of CNN Creators echoes a previous CNN initiative, “iReport,” from the early 2000s, which similarly aimed to incorporate user-generated content. However, this new venture utilizes experienced producers with journalistic backgrounds. CNN officials stated they will continue to invest in digital innovation and expand its offerings, as detailed in a recent restructuring plan unveiled earlier this year.
