MUMBAI: CNN Newsource in the US has announced the launch of its redesigned affiliate Web site. Built on a tradition of affiliate communication and customer service, the new design of the Web site makes it easier for broadcast stations to put up-to-the-minute news at their control. CNN Newsource worked closely with partner stations to redesign the site to make it more effective and user-friendly.

CNN Newsource, comprised of approximately 800 affiliates including TV stations and local/regional cable news channels throughout the US claims to be the most widely distributed syndicated news service. Through continuous digital media distribution and five digital satellite channels CNN Newsource provides partners with the news content necessary to produce competitive newscasts. This includes: the CNN News Group’s global newsgathering resources; the collective coverage power of CNN Newsource affiliates; customized live coverage of breaking news from CNN correspondents and localised CNN Marketsource reports live from the floor of the New Yoek Srock Exchange.

CNN Newsource Sales senior VP Jonh Lee said, “A more useful Web site continues CNN Newsource’s leadership position in communicating with affiliates, ensuring that they have all the information they need as quickly and reliably as possible from CNN. This newly designed interface is an easy-to-navigate portal that connects affiliates to the world of news. It is an efficient, intuitive, one-screen, information portal that lets each desktop user get immediate, topical information that they need from CNN to produce their local newscasts.”

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The redesigned Web site offers tools to enhance communication, planning and production between CNN and its affiliates. For example, one of the site’s communication tools builds on the concept of the Budd Box – an audio device that alerts newsrooms of CNN bulletins – and launches Windows Media Player with a virtual Budd Box feature that will allow anyone at any time to hear affiliate alerts from the CNN newsroom.

The site provides numerous packages, breaking news alerts and live shot advisories as well as a frame grab tool for each CNN Newsource digital channel. The images, which refresh at one-minute intervals, come from all available content on the digital channels and Pathfire. The new design offers a planning calendar offering up-to-the-minute details of current and upcoming CNN Newsource content in a variety of categories including Newsource live, live event and other categories. The design also includes links to the top stories on CNN.com with the ability to filter them by category. A “Useful Links” headline connects producers to story ideas and valuable sites to assist with coverage.

On the production side, the Web site continues to offer affiliates the opportunity to book specialty services online. With a few clicks, users can view opportunities, details and times for custom live shots. A “Resources” section gives affiliates easy access to Newsource By Request’s video archive of more than 100,000 hours of footage. The site enables affiliates to deliver their own video and scripts to CNN Newsource with a simple click of the mouse.

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