CNN Shutting Down Airport Television Network

After 30 years, CNN announced that it is shutting down its Airport Network. The news organization created the network in 1990 and paid airports to air the channel in their terminals. CNN made money by selling ads on the platform, which had a captive audience.

CNN cited the decline in air travel due to the coronavirus pandemic and the growing number of options for streaming content that travelers have.

"The steep decline in airport traffic because of COVID-19, coupled with all of the new ways that people are consuming content on their personal devices, has lessened the need for the CNN Airport Network, and we had to make the very difficult decision to end its operation," CNN President Jeff Zucker said in a statement.

CNN's Airport Network was broadcast in 58 airports across the country. It featured news segments from CNN along with weather and sports packages and video clips from other networks, including HLN and TNT. The network did not air graphic content and avoided stories about plane crashes or other disasters.

"Having to say goodbye to such a beloved brand is not easy," Zucker said. "It also became an iconic part of the traveling experience in this country."

The network will officially shut down on March 31.

Photo: Getty Images


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