Lois Larson
The CNN Airport Network was a live satellite-delivered airport programming service that provided news, sports, travel, and entertainment programming to travellers in airports across the United States. The network was founded in the early 1990s during the Gulf War, when people wanted quick access to information while waiting for flights. Over the years, it expanded to over 50 airports and reached millions of viewers annually. However, in 2021, CNN announced that it would be shutting down the Airport Network due to a decline in airport traffic and the rise of personal devices for content consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 20 January 1992 |
| Number of airports | 50 |
| Number of screens | 2,400 |
| Number of viewers | 250 million per year |
| Average viewing time | 52-53 minutes |
| Programming | 35% news and weather, 25% live sports, 15% lifestyle, 15% travel, 10% local/regional information |
| Programming partners | HBO, TBS, TNT, TCM, Cartoon Network, TruTV, CNN International |
| Sports partnerships | NFL, NBAA, NCAA, MLB |
| Advertisements | Yes |
| Sensitive coverage | No |
| Operating costs | $150,000 per year per airport |
| Date of closure | 31 March 2021 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
CNN Airport Network's programming
The CNN Airport Network was founded 25 years ago and was shown on 2,400 screens in 60 airports across the US and Bermuda. The network revolutionized how passengers spent time at the gate and provided a unique opportunity for CNN to reach travellers and create its name as a global news outlet.
CNN Airport Network programming is tailored to travellers and does not include sensitive coverage such as air crashes or violent content. It provides additional coverage of weather and sports while limiting graphic content. The network airs news programming during the day, followed by feature pieces in the early afternoon. Popular mid-day programming includes feature pieces by Anthony Bourdain and Morgan Spurlock. Custom pieces produced by the Airport Network include guides to destinations and travel tips for frequent flyers. The network also airs live sporting events and entertainment pieces from TBS, including custom pieces from Conan and TruTV's The Carbonaro Effect.
In the early morning, the CNN Airport Network airs New Day and Morning Express with Robin Meade, followed by MicheaLA out of the LA office. At 4 pm, the network switches to programming featuring Jake Tapper, Wolf Blitzer, Erin Burnett, Anderson Cooper, and Don Lemon. In the overnight hours, CNN International is aired.
The network also has a strong social media presence and engages with its audience by cataloguing all the tweets about its programming.
Zambia's Main Airport: All You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Japanese TV Series - Tokyo Airport Tokyo Kuko Kansei Hoanbu Blu-Ray Box (4BDS) [Japan BD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81DwYaXnDoL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The network's history and future
The CNN Airport Network was founded in 1991 or 1992, during the First Gulf War. The war created a demand for news among travellers stuck in airports, and CNN Airport Network was created to fill this demand. The channel was tailored to travellers, excluding sensitive coverage such as air crashes and violent content. It was designed to be family-friendly and to avoid negative travel-related stories.
CNN Airport Network was shown on 2,400 screens in 60 airports across the US and Bermuda, with a reach of 250 to 323 million viewers per year. The average viewing time was 52 to 53 minutes, with viewers often engaging with their devices at the same time. The network offered 24-hour programming, including news and weather, live sports, lifestyle, travel, and local/regional information. It also included entertainment programming from HBO, TBS, TNT, and TCM.
The CNN Airport Network was run by Turner Private Networks, Inc. and was the only live satellite-delivered airport programming service. It was available in more than 2,000 gates and other viewing areas in 50 major US airports, representing more than 469 million passenger enplanements annually. The network had its own dedicated staff, including three reporters.
In 2021, it was announced that the CNN Airport Network would be shut down due to a decline in airport traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of personal devices for content consumption. The network's high expenses and decreased reach also contributed to the decision. The channel ended operations on March 31, 2021, bringing an end to its 30-year history.
Frankfurt Airport: Free Wifi Access for All?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Viewer engagement
The CNN Airport Network was a live satellite-delivered airport programming service that was specifically designed for travellers. It was founded in 1991 or 1992, and was available in 50 major airports across the United States, including Miami International Airport, Memphis International Airport, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The network reached an audience of over 263 million passengers each year, with an average viewing time of 52 to 53 minutes.
The programming included a mix of news, sports, travel, and entertainment, with content from CNN, HLN, HBO, TBS, TNT, and TCM. The content was tailored to travellers and did not include sensitive coverage such as air crashes or violent content. The network also featured family-friendly programming, recognising that viewers could include children and grandparents.
The network also recognised the increasing use of personal devices by travellers and leveraged social media to engage with its audience. They introduced a partnership with Tunity, an app that enabled viewers to sync the network's audio through their headphones, and they catalogued tweets about their programming, responding to viewer feedback.
In addition to meeting viewers' informational and entertainment needs, the CNN Airport Network also provided a trusted source of news and information. It was described as "the most trusted source for information and news for over two decades" and was valued by travellers for its quality service that enhanced their overall travel experience.
Clear Security Screening Now at Charlotte Douglas Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Advertisements
The CNN Airport Network was a live satellite-delivered airport programming service that was shown on 2,400 screens in 60 airports across the US and Bermuda. It was founded in 1991 or 1992, during the Gulf War, when people wanted quick information about events happening overseas. The network was tailored to travellers and did not include sensitive coverage such as air crashes, negative travel-related stories, or violent content. Instead, it offered a mix of news, weather, live sports, lifestyle, travel, and local/regional information.
The CNN Airport Network was unique in that it had its own dedicated staff and reporters, operating independently under the larger CNN umbrella. It also had to consider the viewing distance of travellers and used larger fonts to ensure the content was easily viewable.
The network's programming evolved over time to include partnerships with sports organisations for major NFL, NBAA, NCAA, and MLB games, as well as entertainment pieces from TBS, including custom content from Conan and TruTV. They also introduced a partnership with Tunity, a free app that allowed viewers to sync the audio of the Airport Network through their headphones for a more personalised experience.
In 2021, it was announced that the CNN Airport Network would be shutting down due to a decline in airport traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of personal devices for news streaming. The decision sparked mixed reactions, with some celebrating the end of CNN's "monopoly" on airport TVs and criticising the network's political leanings, while others reflected on the iconic role the network played in the travelling experience.
Atlanta Airport: Back to Business as Usual?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cancellation
In March 2025, London's Heathrow Airport, one of the world's busiest travel hubs, was shut down due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation, causing a significant power outage. This resulted in massive disruption, with thousands of flights affected and major knock-on effects on global aviation lasting for several days.
Air France cancelled eight flights to and from Heathrow, while Virgin Atlantic and British Airways urged passengers not to travel to the airport and offered flexible rebooking, rescheduling, or refund options. Diversions and cancellations also occurred, with flights redirected to Gatwick, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, and Ireland's Shannon Airport.
In another incident, Newark Airport outside New York City experienced major delays and cancellations in May 2025 due to air traffic control staffing issues and technology failures. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed delays, and United Airlines cancelled over 100 flights, citing a combination of technology issues and staff shortages.
In January 2021, CNN announced the shutdown of its Airport Network, citing a decline in airport traffic due to COVID-19 and changing content consumption habits on personal devices. The network's president, Jeff Zucker, acknowledged the network's iconic status and its role in keeping travellers informed for 30 years.
ATM Availability at Barcelona Airport
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The CNN Airport Network is a live satellite-delivered airport programming service that provides news, sports, and travel information to travellers.
The CNN Airport Network officially went on air on January 20, 1992, at three different airports: DFW, ATL, and ORD.
The CNN Airport Network offers 24-hour programming with typically 35% news and weather, 25% live sports, 15% lifestyle, 15% travel, and 10% local/regional information. They also air custom pieces, such as guides to destinations and travel tips for frequent flyers.
The CNN Airport Network is available in over 50 major airports across the United States, including Miami International Airport (MIA) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). It can be seen in more than 2,000 gates and other viewing areas, representing over 469 million passenger enplanements annually.
The CNN Airport Network ended operations on March 31, 2021, due to a decline in airport traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of people consuming content on personal devices.
