CNN Worldwide said today it is expanding its news gathering resources including its international online services.
“This is all about owning more content; these new resources will have a huge impact across all of CNN’s networks and platforms,” said Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International. “Owning the content we broadcast, publish and make available to affiliates and other platforms is the backbone of this business.”
CNN plans to create a digital production unit that will be based in London with additional staff in Hong Kong and Atlanta. The digital unit will produce and feed a number of new platforms that CNN services globally. The unit will provide content for CNN International, CNNArabic.com, CNNMobile and CNN services on TV-to-broadband sites.
About two months ago CNN said it would not renew its contract with Reuters and would use the money saved to invest in its own news resources. Besides the new digital production unit CNN will increase its number of global correspondents, open a bureau in the United Arab Emirates and invest in its wire service. The changes will take place early next year.
