MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN has announced that producer Kathy O’Hearn has been tapped to executive produce chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour’s forthcoming programme on CNN International. The announcement was made by CNN International executive VP, MD Tony Maddox.
O’Hearn, who has more than 30 years of experience producing for both broadcast and cable networks, returns to CNN in preparation for the September launch of the New York-based, half-hour weekday programme set to air during prime time on CNN International and on Sunday afternoons on CNN/US.
Maddox says, “Kathy and Christiane will make a formidable team. By combining Kathy’s track record of news-making interviews and award-winning show production with Christiane’s journalistic tenacity and global recognition, we have created a signature show that will be the heart of the schedule.”
O’Hearn returns to CNN after working at ABC, where she was most recently involved in the network’s coverage of the 2008 US Presidential election. She previously served as executive producer for This Week With George Stephanopoulos for three years, helping to reposition the Sunday morning talk show while securing consistent ratings growth.
While at CNN, O’Hearn was central to the network’s Emmy Award-winning coverage of 9/11 and coordinated the morning coverage in the ensuing months. She was also integral to the creation and launch of American Morning with Paula Zahn. Prior to that, O’Hearn oversaw programming for the network’s business and financial network, CNNfn, and helped relaunch Lou Dobbs Moneyline.
The new Amanpour show comes amid major growth at both CNN International and in CNN’s international newsgathering resources. The repositioning of CNN International includes an ambitious programming schedule that is being bolstered by more than six new prime-time programs in 2009, culminating with the Amanpour launch in September.
Since 2007, CNN has continued to open new editorial operations and production centers while adding more than a dozen correspondents across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
