CNN's Nima Ahmed talks about what it takes to make Headlines.
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CNN Headlines ( [link removed] )
Over the last year, CNN Headlines (
cnn.com/watch?lid=7ki6jnuurexj ) has undergone some big changes
—including an expansion into the CNN App. Viewers can now stream
curated updates around the clock, covering everything from
politics and international events to business, sports and
entertainment. CNN Senior Vice President of Programming Nima
Ahmed
( [link removed] )
, who played a major role in this shift, takes us behind the
evolution of Headlines and shares where it’s headed next. Let’s
dive in.

Now Streaming
( [link removed] ) Nima Ahmed
( [link removed] )
CNN Headlines has grown quite a bit since its launch. How did
it all begin?

When Headlines first launched, it was primarily a clip-based
network. It featured segments from different CNN shows, often
presented without a clear structure or flow.

Over time, we transformed it into something much more
intentional. We built live morning, dayside and evening news
blocks that give viewers a curated and consistent news experience
throughout the day.

We also developed original clip-based programs that highlight
some of the best content from across CNN. One of those is In Case
You Missed It, which brings together the most impactful,
memorable and shareable moments from across the network.
Executive producers from our programs are incredibly engaged and
regularly send us their best segments, allowing us to showcase
standout moments viewers may have missed.

Our other signature clip-based show is American Pulse, which
highlights compelling video and storytelling from our affiliate
stations around the country. We’re finding remarkable stories
every day, whether it's a woman confronting a masked man
terrorizing her neighborhood, a family discovering through DNA
testing that their children were switched at birth, a couple
whose wedding plans changed when the bride went into labor and
they ended up getting married at the hospital, or an 81-year-old
biking across the country with his dog.

When we first started, I wasn't sure there would be enough
exceptional content to fill an hour every day, but we learned
very quickly that there is an abundance of incredible stories
unfolding across the country every single day, and audiences
really respond to them.

Over the last year what has been the biggest change you’ve seen
with Headlines now that it has expanded into our All Access
offering subscription?

One of the biggest changes has been our willingness to
experiment with new formats and tools to meet our audiences where
they are. We've seen this through the implementation of live
programming - like with our State of the Union and Knicks
Ticker-Tape Parade coverage - as well as with breaking news
moments and live interviews, which didn’t exist on Headlines in
its previous form. We're constantly evolving the way we approach
storytelling so that it's not only beneficial to our audience,
but also creates must-see programming that complements CNN's
other platforms.

As CNN continues to expand and refine its product offerings, how
important has the viewer experience been in shaping the
changes we’ve seen to Headlines over the past year?

The viewer experience is an incredibly important piece of what
we do.

One of the biggest insights we’ve found is that audiences have a
strong appetite for news and are willing to stay with us for
longer periods than many people might expect. But at the same
time, we've seen that some of our clip-based and curated shows
perform just as well as our live programming.

We've also learned that viewers appreciate the variety of
stories we offer. Alongside the day's biggest news events, we
cover entertainment, health, lifestyle and viral stories, as well
as unique human-interest stories that viewers often won't find
anywhere else. That mix helps us reach different audiences while
keeping the experience fresh and engaging.

We’ve found that the audience also truly understands what
Headlines is. They know we're not trying to replicate CNN's
breaking-news coverage, but they trust that we'll cover the major
stories in a Headlines format that's fast, accessible and easy to
follow. And as a result, they're continuing to seek us out during
important news moments.

Nima Ahmed
( [link removed] )
CNN Headline Express Anchor Brad Smith and Executive Producer
Melody Taylor.

For someone who might be new to CNN and exploring the All
Access experience, where does CNN Headline Express fit into their
daily news routine?

CNN Headline Express, our live program on Headlines anchored by
Brad Smith, is your rapid-fire catch-up on the day's biggest
stories. It gives viewers a quick, comprehensive look at what's
happening across the country and around the world. In a short
amount of time, you can get up to speed on a wide range of
stories and feel informed about the news that matters most.

Headline Express has become another important entry point into
the CNN ecosystem, particularly for audiences who may not be
traditional CNN viewers. It gives people a way to experience CNN
journalism in a format that feels approachable, fast and easy to
consume.

Looking ahead, what opportunities do you see for CNN Headlines
to strengthen and complement CNN’s growing portfolio, and how
might it help drive deeper engagement with CNN across all
platforms?

Headlines has become a powerful marketing vehicle for CNN All
Access. Through Headlines, we're able to introduce new and
non-traditional audiences to the broader CNN brand, showcase the
depth of our reporting and talent, and create pathways for
viewers to discover other content across the All Access
experience.

We've already seen strong evidence of that. When we launched on
Roku, audiences found us almost immediately. That response
reinforced our belief that there is demand for this type of
product and that there are viewers looking for a different way to
engage with CNN.

As we expand onto additional platforms, we're optimistic that
we'll continue reaching new audiences and introducing more people
to the broader CNN and All Access experience. The more places we
make Headlines available, the more opportunities we have to
expose new viewers to the CNN brand, deepen engagement and
ultimately bring them into the larger CNN ecosystem.

Stream CNN Headlines now on the CNN app. (
cnn.com/watch?lid=lxclj4j54611 )

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