CNNI moves to widescreen, updates Atlanta studio

June marked the first time CNNI was in widescreen across all of its major bureaus. The move comes after various upgrades around its operations, including a new newsroom, control room and updated studio in Atlanta.

Along with the move to widescreen, CNNI also updated most of its show graphic packages.

The new look, build around a rotating core, use glossy 3D with extruding text and imagery.

Various show tile cards:

cnn_headlines_11

cnn_newsroom_41

cnn_wbt_42

cnn_idesk_34

The new graphics are very polished, but almost too American and over-the-top for CNNI’s international audience. The new package is flashy compared to BBC News or Al Jazeera.

Advertisement

One can hope that regular CNN also updates show packages soon, as many are beginning to feel dated.

Example of show open:

cnn_idesk_32

cnn_idesk_31

cnn_idesk_30

cnn_idesk_34

The lower third and ticker did not change with the new package, leaving them a bit out of place in the flash.

Changes at Atlanta HQ

The revamped studio is full of color, marking a continued change in direction for CNNI. Only a few years ago, 2006, CNNI had a clean and minimal studio with neutral colors throughout.

Backlit panels and technology surround the studio, allowing each Atlanta-based program to have a different look.

The studio does mimic some design elements of the new US CNN studios, including large extruded CNN lettering on the headers with a large amount of metal used on walls.

cnn_newsroom_24

cnn_thebrief_40

Along with a desk, a standing pod is also used for various shows, including “World Sport.”

Advertisement

cnn_worldsport_17

The largest problem with the CNNI Atlanta studio is the continued rehashing of old building blocks, instead of starting from scratch.

Unlike CNN’s recent D.C. remodel, taking the studio down to just a blackbox, CNNI clearly worked with some existing set pieces. So, the design is also constrained to the same box. Monitors are always in the same place, and the cramped studio always looks cramped.

CNNI has spent little money on its studios internationally, with many looking terrible compared to BBC’s new flagship.

CNNI’s Hong Kong bureau, for example, looks like a bad local news set…

cnni_hongkong

A history of updating

CNNFan.org user compiled the history of this studio, since the first version of this set debuted in 2006.

2006 – Original set by Clickspring Design debuts

2006_cnni

2008 – Set is updated with new graphic panels

2008_cnni

2009 – Set is revamped, keeping same frame, but adding new desk and graphics

2009_cnni

2011 – Set is updated once again to match new on-air graphics

2011_cnni

2013 – Some elements remain, with new desk and technology added

2013_cnni