CNN announces new Asia line-up

Network also announces new primetime shows and appoints two new anchors to Hong Kong bureau

November 22, 2012:

CNN is expanding its live programming in the Asia Pacific region with the launch of a new primetime morning news show, a new primetime evening news show, and the appointment of two new full-time anchors. The announcement comes just weeks after CNN launched 'On China', the network's first ever regular series focused on the country, hosted by Hong Kong-based Kristie Lu Stout.

Mike McCarthy, Senior Vice-President, CNN International, said, “The Asia Pacific region is dynamic, compelling and delivers stories that shape the news day for the rest of the world. We are delighted to further increase coverage here from our headquarters in Hong Kong, through a new programming line-up that reinforces our commitment to remaining the number one international news network in Asia, unmatched in our award-winning and relevant coverage.”

The new primetime morning show, 'CNN Newsroom, Live from Hong Kong', will air from 3.30 AM to 5.30 AM IST each weekday beginning Monday, November 19. Co-hosts Andrew Stevens and Patricia Wu will cover the top stories from Asia Pacific and across the world, along with headlines across business, sport, weather, technology, entertainment and more. Andrew Stevens has been a Hong Kong-based anchor/correspondent with CNN for more than 13 years, while Patricia Wu is a newly appointed Hong Kong-based anchor/correspondent, having relocated from CNN's New York studio to co-host the new Asia morning show.

Anchor/correspondent Monita Rajpal is also a new addition to the Hong Kong team, relocating from CNN London to host a new Asia primetime evening news show, 'CNN NewsCenter'. The soon-to-be launched Hong Kong-anchored 'CNN NewsCenter' will air from 5 PM - 5.30 PM IST each weekday and will follow the format of the Atlanta-anchored show of the same name, taking viewers through the day's big stories of global importance.

Ellana Lee, VP and Managing Editor for CNN International Asia Pacific, said, “This is a hugely exciting time for CNN in the Asia Pacific region and we are delighted that Patricia and Monita are joining our award-winning Hong Kong team. They both have strong ties to Asia and bring with them first class international experience.”

As part of the network's new Asia line-up, Pauline Chiou, who has been a Hong Kong based anchor/correspondent with CNN for more than three years, will replace Andrew Stevens as the co-host of the network's business show, World Business Today. Each weekday, 'World Business Today' is anchored out of Hong Kong and London from 2.30 PM - 3.30 PM HKT, and anchored out of Hong Kong, London and New York from 7.30 PM - 8.30 PM IST.

Anna Coren, who has been anchoring with CNN for four years, will now be an international correspondent based out of Hong Kong, allowing her to also cover the region as news warrants. The new role will showcase Coren's strong on-location and breaking news reporting skills demonstrated during the 2010 Manila bus hostage situation, the 2011 Japan tsunami, and most recently during her month-long posting to Kabul, Afghanistan, in September 2012.

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