Headline News is the sister network of CNN. Originally launched as CNN2, it quickly became Headline News. The channel offers round the clock news, showing headlines every 15 minutes, unlike CNN it has no news related programmes, instead constant news updates from the CNN Atlanta studio headquarters.
CNN2 1981
CNN21981
This is the original opening for CNN2. It went on the air midnight June 1st 1981.
Created by John Christopher Burns. (visit his website www.jcbd.com)
Clip courtesy of Jay Cordova.
Headline News
Headline News - Donna Kelleyc1987
CNN2 is rebranded Headline News with bold and chunky 3D graphics, popular in the 80's forms this Headline News open.1988 - 1992
Headline News - Jack Womack1992
In these titles from 1991 we fly past marble slabs overlayed with stylised globes, clocks, camera lenses and tv screens.
This complete graphics package was created by John Christopher Burns.
Headline News - Bob Losure1992
At the close of each half hour, varations of the same closing HN theme were used, this one is very upbeat, doesn't it make you feel good!
Headline News Sting1991
A quick sting into the commercial break.
The voice-over is by Bill "Troll" Tullis. Troll was also the voice for "TBS Newswatch" intro and ending.
HN Open - Lyn Vaughn1992 HN Open - Lyn Vaughn
1992 HN Open - Valerie Hoff
1992 HN Open - David Goodnow
1992
HN - Start of Part1991 HN - Dollars & Sense
1992 HN - Close Charles Zewe
1992 HN - Close Bob Losure
1992
Examples of content graphics...
CNN Headline News Promo1992
"Is it becoming harder and harder to get the news you need?" This is a great and very funny promo!
CNN Headline News Promo1992
This promo aired on CNN International, when CNNI showed Headline News during selected half hour slots.
1992 - 1996
Headline News - Bob Losure / Kathleen Kennedy1992 / 1993
A new look introduced late 1992 using the same set, but new graphics and theme tunes. Now the titles have been revamped and are true 3D, with the same icon themes of globes, clocks, camera lenses and a tv matrix.
left clip - opening sequence with Bob Losure.
right clip - closing sequence with Kathleen Kennedy
1996 -
Headline News1996
1996 and Headline News introduces more authorative theme music and an onscreen lower third 'ticker'.
CNN Headline News Promo1996
"News travels fast. This just into Headline News.."
An exciting image promo showing the urgency of live news.
CNN Headline News 1997
In 1997 the CNN brand is re-introduced to the Headline News title. A few years later in 1999, another relaunch, with a new set and graphics package.
In 1999, CNN attempted its first relaunch of Headline News. The ticker got a little larger, and the channel divided its coverage up to four colour-coded dayparts: Early Watch (mornings, yellow) Second Watch (middays, red), Third Watch (evenings, green), and Late Watch (overnights, blue). Graphics got refined but simpler, and a whole new set was introduced...
Headline News main ident1999
The sting going into and out of commercial breaks. This is the initial version, with the unweildy slogan "24 Hour Non Stop Headlines". Like the main graphics this was color-coded.
Headline News Late Watch1999
A typical open, different than the more graphical examples Headline used before or since... focusing entirely on the set backdrop as headlines are keyed over it, then zooming out dramatically as the logo flies in. Note that while other graphics include the CNN logo in them, these titles use the unmodified logo.
Headline Sports Sting1999
Most segment opens were very similar to each other, using the same basic animation. This is the Third Watch animation for Headline Sports, which gives you an example of that segment's color theme.
2001 - 2004
On August 6th 2001 Headline News introduces a radical new image change. Aimed at a younger audience, the new format features the screen split into 3 sections, and looks more interactive, much like a web browser. Bold colours, images, and text designed by Joni McLane of Y1080 in Atlanta, working with the CNN Graphics Department and Turner Studios, now bombard the viewer in this decade for audiences gaining as much information as possible, such as additional stories, sport, weather and features.
CNN Headline News2002
The titles now simplified, feature live action of busy young professionals.
Original music created by Stephen Arnold.
Examples of content graphics
2004
Need to Know2004
In 2004, Headline News rebranded themselves as "Your Need To Know Network"... and ditched their opens. This short sting now airs in place of them, followed by an extremely long rundown of the day's headlines. Blink and you'll miss the HLN logo...
2005
Prime News Tonight2006
In 2005, Headline News tried something new and different: dedicated primetime programming. "Headline Prime" offers an alternative to CNN: a revived "Showbiz Tonight" at 7:00, "Nancy Grace", a legal talk show at 8:00, and "Prime News Tonight", a newscast, at 9:00. The regular headline format and graphics remained but with some tweaks - most notably, the busy webpage format was finally scrapped for something akin to their earlier tickers.