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CCTV News
Launched	15 September 2000
Network	China Central Television
Owned by	China Central Television
Slogan	China's First English News Channel
Country	China
Language	English
Broadcast area	Worldwide
Headquarters	CCTV Beijing Television Centre Headquarters, Beijing Central Business District, Beijing, China
Formerly called	CCTV-9
Website	CCTV-NEWS
Availability
Satellite
Astro Malaysia	Channel 509
Indovision Indonesia	Channel 352
Sky UK & Ireland	Channel 510
DirecTV United States	Channel 2119
Dish Network United States	Channel 265
Nilesat 101 Egypt
Astra 1KR Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia	11651 h SR 27500
SKY Network Television New Zealand	Channel 310
SKY Italia Italy	Channel 530
DStv South Africa	Channel 448
Yes (Israel) Israel	Channel 111
Galaxy 3C North America	11780 h SR 20.760
Austar Australia	Channel 653
Dialog TV Sri Lanka	Channel 7
Canal Digital Norway & Sweden	Free-to-Air
VIS3 Sri Lanka	UHF Channel 29 Free-to-Air
Freesat UK	Channel 211
Cignal Digital TV Philippines	Channel TBA
Cable
StarHub TV Singapore	Channel 722
SkyCable Platinum Philippines	Channel 111
Destiny Cable Philippines	Channel 84
Cablelink Philippines	Channel 49
TelstraClear New Zealand	Channel 310
UPC Romania Romania	Channel 711 (digital with DVR) Channel 196 (digital)
Hot (Israel)	Channel 141
First Media (Indonesia)	Channel 210
CATV China	Channel 9
UPC Netherlands	Channel 410
Available on some US cable systems	Check Local Listings for channels
IPTV
Hypp.TV Malaysia	Channel 3001
Mio TV Singapore	Channel 155
AT&T U-verse United States	Channel 3602
SK Telecom B TV South Korea	Channel 660
KT QOOK TV South Korea	Channel 354
LG U+ South Korea	Channel 85
Internet television
CCTV.com	MMS/P2P
CNTV	CCTV-NEWS

CCTV News formerly known as CCTV-9 is a 24-hour English news channel, of China Central Television (CCTV), based in Beijing. The channel grew out of CCTV International, which was launched on September 15, 2000. CCTV News coverage includes newscasts, in-depth reports, and commentary programs, as well as feature presentations. Its Free-to-air satellite signal can be received by more than 85 million viewers, in over 100 countries and regions.^[1] It is also carried by Cable, DTH, IPTV, and Terrestrial TV platforms or systems in many nations. It caters to a global English-speaking audience, including overseas Chinese and English speakers in China.

History [edit]

CCTV began considering English-language international news bulletin actual coverage programming in January 1, 1979 at the start of China's "Reform and opening up". English news bulletins began on CCTV-2 in 1984 and became available to overseas viewers when they moved to CCTV-4 in February 1991 and CCTV-13 in August 1991 under permission registered in 1996. Up until April 2010 CCTV 9 was a mixed general interest channel featuring news, travel programming, and language training. In April 2010, CCTV 9 was relaunched, its name changed to 'CCTV News' and it launched as a 24-hour English-language channel.^[2] CCTV 9 entered the United States cable market on January 1, 2002 as part of a deal that allowed AOL, Time Warner, and News Corporation access to cable systems in Guangdong. After the launch of the 24-hour service, the channel was revamped a number of times.

The target audience of CCTV News is foreigners both inside and outside China, specifically those with an interest in the country. CCTV News claims its potential global audience is 85 million.^[3] However, reported totals of actual viewers vary from different sources.

Revamp [edit]

The Channel name of CCTV-9 was changed to CCTV News at 07:00pm (Beijing Time) on April 26, 2010.^[4] Some shows were rebranded while other new shows were added. The English website is managed by China Network Television (CNTV), a web streaming service of CCTV. On January 1, 2011, the channel's former name CCTV-9 was taken over by CCTV's two documentary channels.

On October 11, 2012, CCTV News launched its Africa operation in Nairobi, Kenya.^[5] On February 6, 2012, the channel launched “CCTV America” and a schedule of daily programming originating from a production center in Washington, DC.^[6] Currently, CCTV News has three broadcasting centers in Beijing (main), Nairobi and Washington, D.C. respectively with an additional 70 bureaus across the globe to collect news and report them as it breaks under permission registered in 2001.

With new faces, new studios and new equipment, the channel hopes it will strengthen news gathering abilities while it aims at voicing more perspectives from China and from Asia to the world.^[7]

The revamp also saw the addition of news and world financial markets tickers, similar to those seen on leading news channels.

Programming [edit]

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CCTV News usually airs a live news bulletin in the first half of each hour. As well as a generic news program, there are specialist bulletins focusing on Chinese and Asian news, such as China 24 and business news BIZ ASIA. Programming in the second half of each hour includes, sports bulletins, a travel show called Travelogue which takes viewers to destinations around China and the world, and magazines covering the arts, science and sports.

The programs on CCTV News include News Update and News Hour, providing comprehensive global coverage; and China 24 and Asia Today, delivering the latest domestic and regional developments. Specialized programs include Biz Asia, Biz Talk, New Money, Culture Express and Sports Scene, providing news and information on business, finance, economics, culture, and sports. Shows such as Dialogue and World Insight extend balanced and critical perspectives on current affairs affecting all corners of the globe.

CCTV News also provides programs on culture, history, and modern society of China and Asia. In Crossover, hosts and guests of various backgrounds and experiences talk about issues throughout China. Travelogue is the ticket to dynamic and exciting landscapes in China and abroad. Rediscovering China explores contemporary Chinese and Asian culture and social changes through the eyes of international visitors. And Story Board delivers a visual profile of all Asian countries.

Programs

Staff [edit]

The Chinese staff at CCTV News range in experience from interns to media professionals with years in the business. Executive producers, producers and senior news anchors typically have higher education, often from a university abroad. As of 2007, the channel has about 300 staff, of whom 70 are full-time staff and about 30 are foreigners on contract. From 2011, it started to hire English-speaking reporters based in 30 provincial bureaus across China.

In May 2005, CCTV News Controller Jiang Heping was promoted to head CCTV-5, CCTV's sports channel, ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Following his departure, due to internal divisions, a new controller had not been appointed by late 2007.

Foreign news anchors [edit]

CCTV News relies on foreigners as news presenters, some of whom have extensive experience, such as Edwin Maher (a former newsreader and weatherman from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Jiang Heping has defended the policy of putting foreigners on air, arguing that “we feel international on-air personalities boost the credibility of CCTV News and befit its image as an international channel. In this regard, CCTV News will not restrict the origin of its employees and choose to build its unique identity through its programming.”^[8]

The first foreign news anchor on CCTV News was Chris Gelken, who joined the channel from Hong Kong's TVB and presented the 30-minute business show, BizChina. Gelken left CCTV News in 2005 and returned to TVB in 2010.

Another personality at CCTV News is Mark Rowswell, otherwise known as Dashan. He hosts Travel in Chinese on CCTV News and has been honored for his work in promoting cancer awareness in China.^[9]

In addition to the above, the channel has also recruited Philip Yin of Bloomberg Television and Mike Walter from USA Today for its Biz Asia America and The Heat shows respectively.

The weather on CCTV News is currently hosted by Bo Yee Poon, Andy Kline, and Danni Huang Danni Lang.

CCTV Africa [edit]

CCTV Africa is China Central Television´s news productions center which was launched in Kenya on January 11, 2012. CCTV Africa focuses on African news and perspectives as well as international news.

CCTV Africa will be responsible for newsgathering and task assignments on the African continent. CCTV Africa initially produce a one-hour program every day, including Africa news, Talk Africa and Face of Africa editions, and broadcast through CCTV´s English news channel.

CCTV Africa will provide a platform for its Chinese audience to better understand Africa and promote the China-Africa friendship so that the real China can be introduced to Africa, and the real Africa can be presented to the world

CCTV America [edit]

CCTV America is the Americas division of CCTV News, the English-language news channel run by Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television. It is based in Washington, DC and runs bureaus across North and South America. The service employs a mix of American and Chinese journalists and produces Americas-based programming for CCTV News.

CCTV America is led by director general Ma Jing with veteran Asia journalist Jim Laurie as executive consultant. It began broadcasting on February 6, 2012.

List of CCTV-NEWS (English International Channel) news anchors and feature program hosts [edit]

Beijing Broadcast Center (Main)

• James Chau (formerly with TVB Pearl) -China 24, Asia Today, News Update
• Li Dongning - China 24,Asia Today,News Update
• Zou Yue -China 24,Asia Today,News Update
• Zakka Jacob (formerly with Aaj Tak and Headlines Today Delhi)-News Update, World Insight, Asia Today
• Julian Waghann - News Update
• Edwin Maher (formerly with Australian Broadcasting Corporation) – News Updates
• Pan Deng - News Hour
• Wang Mangmang - News Updates
• Yu Ze - News Updates, Asia Today
• Jenny Gu - News Updates
• Wang Yizhi - News Updates
• Felicity Tan - News Updates, Asia Today
• Jang Ji-yun - News Updates, Asia Today
• Ji Xiaojun - Culture Express
• Liang Hong - Culture Express
• Raquel Olsson - Culture Express
• Jonas Gilbart- Sports Scene
• Tracey Holmes (formerly with CNN, Channel 7)– Sports Scene
• Rui Chenggang - Biz Talk
• Yang Rui -Dialogue
• Tian Wei-Dialogue,World Insight
• Zheng Junfeng-Biz Asia
• Michael Wang-Biz Asia

Nairobi Broadcast Center

• Beatrice Marshall (formerly with KTN) -Africa Live, Talk Africa
• Mark Masai (formerly with NMG's Nation Television) -Africa Live
• Peninah Karibe -Africa Live
• Terryanne -Africa Live

Washington Broadcast Center

• Phillip Yin (formerly with Bloomberg TV) - Biz Asia America
• Michelle Makori (formerly with Bloomberg TV), reporting from New York City studio
• Mike Walter (formerly with USA Today) - Biz Asia America, The Heat
• Elaine Reyes (formerly with WRC-TV) - Biz Asia America, Americas Now
• Karina Huber (formerly with CNN International), reporting from New York studio - Biz Asia America
• Anand Naidoo (formerly with CNN and Al Jazeera English) - Biz Asia America

Feature Programs

• Tracey Grebinski – Rediscovering China"
• Charlotte MacInnis (Ai Hua) – Growing up with Chinese
• Ji Xiaojun - Crossover
• Marc Edwards- Travelogue
• James Lam - Travelogue
• Tianren He - Travelogue
• Greta Georges - Travelogue
• Yin Chen - Travelogue

Correspondents (Worldwide)

• Terrence Terashima- Tokyo

• U Jean-jung- Seoul

• Andy Saputra (formerly with CNN International)- Jakarta

• Tony Cheng (formerly with Al-Jazeera English)- Bangkok

• Barnaby Lo- Manila

• Farzana Fiaz- Islamabad

• Schweta Bajaj- New Delhi

• Courtney Body- Kabul

• Yama Wolasmal- Kabul

• Natalie Carney- Istanbul

• Roee Ruttenberg- (formerly with ABC News and Al Jazeera English) Global Special Affairs Correspondent

• Baqi Naji- Baghdad

• Adel el-Mahrouky- Cairo

• Stephanie Freid- Tel Aviv

• Wang Ying- Moscow

• Richard Bestic (formerly with Sky News)- London

• Kate Parkinson- Paris

• Jack Barton- Brussels

• Liu Xin- Geneva

• Filio Kontrafouri- Athens

• Constantino de Miguel (formerly with EuroNews)- Madrid

• Nathan King- New York

• Daniel Ryntjes- Washington D.C.

• Wang Guan- Washington D.C.

• Jessica Stone- Washington D.C.

• Sean Callebs- Washington D.C.

• Mark Niu- Los Angeles

• Michelle Begue- Bogota

• Dan Collyns- Lima

• Michael Voss (formerly with BBC News)- Havana

• Morgan Neill- Mexico City

• Helen Clegg- Rio de Janeiro

• Rene Del Carme- Johannesburg

• Robert Nagila- Juba

• Robert Saw- Nairobi

• Ken Mijungu- Mogadishu

• Tom Walsh- Addis Ababa

• Dan Williams- Johannesburg (Sport)
• Kristiaan Yeo - Toronto

Reporters (China)

• Han Bin

• Feng Jinchao

• Guan Xin

• Zhang Nini

• Nie Jia

• Xu Zhaoqun

• Ai Yang

• In 2010, CCTV-News won the National Window Prize at the 2010 Hot Bird TV awards for its greater diversity and wider perspectives in global information flow.[1]

Criticisms [edit]

Despite its revamp and recent launching of CCTV America, critics have voiced concerns over the level of self-censorship exercised by the channel especially on sensitive domestic issues in China. Philip Cunningham of Cornell University, who has appeared more than 100 times on China Central Television talk shows said sensitive issues such as Tibet and Xinjiang were heavily edited on various programs. [2]

Ma Jing, Director of CCTV America defends such allegation by saying that the channel edits stories the same way other news organizations do. She said: "We uphold the traditional journalistic values. We consider accuracy, objectivity, truthfulness, and public accountability very important, more important than anything else." [3]

See also [edit]

• Central TV Tower
• China Central Television
• China Daily
• China Radio International
• China.org.cn
• Global Times
• International broadcasting
• Xinhua
• Korean Broadcasting System

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Official Site
• CNTV English