CNN.com live video returns, now free
Steve Safran July 2nd, 2007
CNN.com has launched its live streams to the site as it officially ends its Pipeline program. The new live video player echoes Pipeline - you have choices of streams to watch. The player has a black background and links to a few stories. I hit my share of snags and delays using it this morning, but the experience generally worked. There remains the odd obsession CNN has with stretching its video to 16:9 widescreen even when the video was shot in 4:3.
14 Comments Add your own
1. tdc | July 2nd, 2007 at 6:50 am
naturally, i have a recommendation for the fine folks at ib with regards to their deal in this relaunch.
instead of a static load of 16 headlines from the four regions i would instead put them in a random loading database so each time someone clicks through to the section they are treated to a different variety of headlines. sorting them by region would be unaffected.
i’m certain all the affiliates would agree they have at least one story a day that would be worthy to make it into that section. this might get them each a bit of traffic… and give the page a constantly updated appearance.
just a thought…. a very cheap to implement thought.
toss me a bone if you decide to use it.
2. Frank | July 2nd, 2007 at 8:49 am
I am blown away by this CNN.com Live Video! It’s better than CNN because you have the 4 streams *and* it’s online! Wow.
3. discreet_chaos | July 2nd, 2007 at 9:45 am
I’ve only given it a few minutes thus far, but I’m glad the edit of the end-of-Pipeline blogpost (click my name) appears to be true and the service was simply moving to another platform.
Though, I guess it’ll be evening before I see whether they keep the live feed of CNN-I, like myself and several others begged-for in the comments and whether I’ll still be able to watch an Atlanta reporter build a snowman for their morning report.
Oh, and hey CNN - I’ll say it looks good and though I haven’t watched the new thing for a long time and I don’t know if you’ll keep giving me my CNN-I; But, right now, I’m going to say that it appears the ability to pin the screen to a corner of my desktop is the thing that I’ll miss the most.
(Hint: A checkbox and playing with javascript focus() should fix it.)
4. discreet_chaos | July 2nd, 2007 at 10:06 am
BTW - Local News Jockeys;
WRAL actually has a local implementation of the four-stream Pipeline-like concept, except it’s their most recent newscast, their local news cable channel (daylight hours), their radar and their local weather cable channel. Once again, click my name for a direct link and be warned that it takes a minute or two to join their streams in progress.
5. Jason Parker | July 2nd, 2007 at 10:47 am
The 16:9 obsession stems from the fact that CNN bought a bunch of HD equipment when they launched Pipeline. Pipeline is actually produced entirely in HD, studio shots are usually 16:9 native, and they use the TNT-HD variable stretch technique for field reports and such. This fall, CNN is planning to launch it’s HD channel. It will likely be similar. Eventually, CNN will begin producing much more HD content, thus the website video allows them to practice and it will be forward compatible.
6. Anonymous | July 2nd, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Yes, CNN International is available, 8pm ET, 5pm PT!
7. Corey Spring | July 2nd, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Awesome, I didn’t know that Jason
8. KC | July 2nd, 2007 at 8:43 pm
I didn’t see it, but is the Headline News available live? There are some shows on that network I would like to see on a regular basis and I don’t have cable.
9. discreet_chaos | July 3rd, 2007 at 2:17 am
Anonymous - It’s 3:12AM (Mountain) and there’s a notice on the website that says live video will return at 6AM (Eastern). So, though they were feeding-out CNNi earlier, there obviously won’t be the usual middle-of-the-night fare which so entertained me about Pipeline.
Perhaps the next time there’s a former President lying in State or a mining disaster, CNN.com will stay live all night, but thus far, it isn’t quite the same.
10. discreet_chaos | July 3rd, 2007 at 2:22 am
Oh, and KC - Their licensing agreements with the cable companies prevent them from showing either of their main channels online. Though, back in the days of Pipeline, when CNN went commercial-free with breaking news, they’d usually simulcast it via the service.
I don’t know what their plans are for the new incarnation, but licensing prevents them from dedicating a stream and I guess only time will tell, if CNN.com will behave like its predecessor during a news event.
11. Jeff | July 4th, 2007 at 6:25 am
Anyone know how to watch CNN new live video with Linux/Firefox? Kaffeine used to play the wmv stream…And I have flash player installed.
12. Unison | September 28th, 2007 at 5:26 am
password to myfreepaysite
13. shirley wershba | March 8th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Of course, Florida and Michegan should have the opportunity to have a re do on their primaries. As for who should pay for it? The two candidates of course. Using their war chest funds for something as democratic as the chance to vote would serve two important purposes..First show respect for American voyers and seccond, less money to be spent on smear and fear negative ads. Let’s have a clean and honest election. We deserve it.
14. Beryl Mills | April 8th, 2008 at 6:09 am
This latest fighting is just another tactic to keep Bush,s policy going, using McCain to have a third term in the White House. Bush capitalized on 911 and weapons of mass destruction to frighten the people was nothing more than a ploy to continue his mission and go down as a war president.
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