2008
The award honors CNN's application of state-of-the-art technology, such as the "Magic Wall" and the CNN Election Express, which served as a mobile newsroom. The network used these tools to present viewers with a closer look and better understanding of presidential politics. The judges also cite CNN's "small army of reporters, producers and analysts," who blanketed the country and television screens across the world. The Best Political Team on Television provided viewers with unmatched coverage and a front-row seat to a historic election.
Additionally, in close collaboration with the Best Political Team on Television, CNN.com provided unmatched coverage throughout the election season through in-depth reporting, live and on-demand video, and numerous interactive and customizable features. In particular, CNNPolitics.com and the CNN.com Election Center enabled online users to dig deeply into details about the candidates, their campaigns and their positions on the issues most important to voters and included detailed coverage of debates, fund-raising and state-by-state analysis. Further, the CNN Political Ticker - the No. 1 political news blog in 2008 according to Nielsen Online - brought users up-to-the-minute news from the campaign trail from CNN's political producers, correspondents and analysts each and every day.
In addition to receiving the significant honor of a Peabody, CNN received ratings victories throughout the election season. CNN was the most-watched cable news network on virtually every primary night, including Super Tuesday when CNN also topped CBS and ABC in certain demographics. CNN also was the most-watched cable network among the 25-54, 18-34 and 18-49 demographics for all Presidential Debates. Eight of the nine debates CNN hosted ranked as the highest-rated presidential debates in the history of cable news. On Election Night, CNN was the most-watched network on television from 8-12:30a, beating every other network in total viewers and in key 25-54 demographic. Throughout its coverage of the primaries and debates, as well as conventions and on Election Night, the CNN Digital Network maintained its No. 1 ranking among all news and information sites.
