Nation's airports freed from the tyranny of CNN's monopoly
CNN President Jeff Zucker in a memo sent to staff on Tuesday blamed the coronavirus pandemic for causing the end of the CNN Airport Network after 30 years of operation.
Zucker announced that the network, which aired in 54 airports in the U.S. and Bermuda, will stop its business "as of March 31," citing the pandemic's disruption of air travel in the U.S. and the world.
He also cited that travelers have turned to streaming news on their personal devices.
"The steep decline in airport traffic because of COVID-19, coupled with all the new ways that people are consuming content on their personal devices, has lessened the need for the CNN Airport Network," Zucker said in the memo obtained by The Hill.
"Having to say goodbye to such a beloved brand is not easy," he continued. "I want to thank our friends and colleagues who have contributed to its success and to celebrate the fact that for 30 years, the CNN Airport Network has kept millions of domestic travelers informed. It also became an iconic part of the traveling experience in the country."
People briefed on the matter told the Los Angeles Times the CNN Airport Network, supported by ads, was no longer considered profitable. The shutdown will result in layoffs for about two dozen employees at CNN's Atlanta headquarters.
The CNN Airport Network first was launched in 1990.
Air travel has plummeted during the pandemic, although the Transportation Security Administration counted that millions boarded planes on the days near Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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The story fails to note CNN actually paid the airports to display ONLY CNN.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 11 | January 14, 2021 2:46 AM
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You could still smoke on planes when they started.
How times change.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | January 13, 2021 7:43 PM
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Gurl, I'm too stoned to post.
Smoking was allowed forty years ago.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | January 13, 2021 7:44 PM
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[quote] Smoking was allowed forty years ago.
Ar least for the sophisticates.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 4 | January 13, 2021 8:35 PM
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I am a road warrior and this is a "who gives a S***". Only right wingers are rejoicing because they are claiming this as a victory. CNN made no money and the screens are stuck in a corner of the waiting area. If you did any traveling, you would observe that NO one is watching. Travelers have cell phones and other devices to keep the occupied. The only time someone would watch the screen is if there was a major event occuring such as the recent coup attempt by the domestic terrorists. And for this event, CNN kicked Fox's butt!
by Anonymous | reply 5 | January 13, 2021 8:46 PM
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[quote]Ar least for the sophisticates.
Coach? Hardly.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | January 13, 2021 9:09 PM
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This disappoints the hell out of me. I don't stream anything on my iPhone since I choose not to make it a lifestyle.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | January 13, 2021 11:50 PM
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CNN is shit. They have rick santorum on all the time
I hate trump, but if I'm sitting in the airport I don't want to see a bunch of talking heads spouting off the same shit about trump all day long. I'd love it if CNN went back to doing world news. I'd actually watch them
by Anonymous | reply 9 | January 14, 2021 12:47 AM
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Doesn't this just mean that all we'll be seeing os Fox at airports now?
by Anonymous | reply 10 | January 14, 2021 12:52 AM
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Thank god my airport has NO televisions anywhere. I always wanted to throw a shoe at the screen when I heard CNN blaring at other airports.
by Anonymous | reply 11 | January 14, 2021 2:46 AM
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