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CNN: The Inside Story: How a Band of Mavericks Changed the Face of Television News
An account of the creation of the television station, CNN, by Ted Turner. This book tells of the risks he took, his bluffs, his attempt to take over CBS, his war with ABC and his acquisition of MGM.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 25, 2018
A superb insight into the maverick mind of Ted Turner and how, against the odds, he created Cable News Network which launched on June 1st, 1980 to become the world's first 24-hour all news network.
Should anyone ever seek inspiration for going against the business establishment and taking them on at their own game, they could do well to read this book. Whittemore meticulously details the various players and their roles in the setting up of CNN while simultaneously documenting the many twists and turns they encountered in the struggle to become recognised as what would become the 'big four' in US news broadcasters by the end of the 1980s, often besting the already established 'big three' of ABC, NBC, and CBS in the process.
As CNN's relevance continues, with almost 30 years of continuous broadcasting as of writing, this book serves as an important reminder of how far it has come. Amidst unfounded criticism of its journalistic integrity - not least from the current US President - this book is now as relevant as ever in understanding the foundations upon which CNN is built.
Should anyone ever seek inspiration for going against the business establishment and taking them on at their own game, they could do well to read this book. Whittemore meticulously details the various players and their roles in the setting up of CNN while simultaneously documenting the many twists and turns they encountered in the struggle to become recognised as what would become the 'big four' in US news broadcasters by the end of the 1980s, often besting the already established 'big three' of ABC, NBC, and CBS in the process.
As CNN's relevance continues, with almost 30 years of continuous broadcasting as of writing, this book serves as an important reminder of how far it has come. Amidst unfounded criticism of its journalistic integrity - not least from the current US President - this book is now as relevant as ever in understanding the foundations upon which CNN is built.
July 21, 2015
I have read this book three times and I always pick up something new every time I read it. Overall, this is one of my favorite books and an absolute page-turner. Especially in its beginning, CNN was the underdog which lends itself to a book format. This book is strong in the sense that it has witness interviews and is almost completely from the person's recanting. I read this book in 2008, 2012, and again in 2014.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews