CNN to launch on Freeview

CNN International is to launch on the Freeview DTT platform, taking a primetime block being vacated by Nuts TV. CNN is anticipating a January launch and will benefit from an additional ten million homes, effectively doubling its UK distribution.

“This move to Freeview is an opportunity to introduce CNN’s European primetime programming to a new UK audience, at a time when international awareness and understanding of the global news environment has never been so critical,” said Nick Wrenn, London-based managing editor CNN International for the EMEA region. “Certainly if our international web traffic is anything to go by, the UK’s appetite for news has never been more acute, and we look forward to providing TV viewers with the international perspective that the big stories of the day demand.”

Nuts TV, run in association with IPC Media, is to become a broadband and mobile service. It has already established partnerships with YouTube and Bebo. Its demise will also free-up a valuable EPG slot on Sky, though with TBS Europe running a variety of programme streams it is likely Turner will keep this for itself.

It also calls into question the premise of masthead TV that has also suffered from the sale of half of Bauer/Emap’s interests to Channel 4.