CNN is a news TV channel with mainstream morning opinion shows, straight news during the day and center to center-left opinion shows in the evening.
Major Event Broadcasts
CNN airs extensive coverage of all major political and newsworthy events, including primary debates, general election debates, Presidential speeches, press conferences, and election nights.
The amount of time CNN spends covering any major event depends on how important it is. For example, a general election debate between the Democratic and Republican nominees will get hours of coverage before and after the event while a hastily announced Presidential press conference may only receive minimal coverage outside of the event itself.
When there is a major debate, CNN will bring together a team of journalists and political pundits to discuss what they think will happen during the debate and then bring them back on the air to discuss how they felt the debate went at the conclusion of the event.
Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper are the lead anchors with Don Lemon, Chris Cuomo, Jeffrey Toobin, Gloria Borger, John King, Manu Raju, Paul Begala, Jim Acosta, Dana Bash, S.E. Cupp, Rick Santorum, Ana Navarro, David Chalian, Kristen Powers, Tom Foreman, Chris Cillizza, and others offering commentary and updates throughout the day and night.
Morning Broadcasting
New Day is CNN's premiere morning show. The show, hosted by Alisyn Camerota and John Berman, spends three hours each morning discussing major news of the day and interviews major players in the political world. It's a mainstream morning show that invites politicians and pundits from across the political spectrum on to discuss the pressing issues of the day.
Early Start and CNN Newsroom round out the early morning hours and early afternoon with straight news reporting along with any breaking news that happens during a given day.
Afternoon Broadcasting
CNN Newsroom airs coverage for the first three hours of each afternoon until Jake Tapper takes over with The Lead. Tapper's show is two hours long and he spends his time interviewing major political players both in and out of Washington from both sides of the political aisle.
The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer follows Tapper for another two hours of straight news and breaking news coverage. Blitzer also interviews major political players both in and out of Washington from both sides of the aisle.
Primetime Broadcasting
CNN's primetime coverage is center to center-left. Erin Burnett kicks off CNN's primetime coverage with her show Erin Burnett Out Front.
Anderson Cooper's show, Anderson Cooper 360, is CNN's premiere primetime show. Cooper delivers lengthy personal commentary on the pressing issues of the day and also conducts in depth interviews with prominent politicians and celebrities.
Cuomo Prime Time with Chris Cuomo and CNN Tonight With Don Lemon round out the remaining primetime hours. Both shows are more center-left with extensive commentary from both hosts.