MUMBAI: CNN is the numero uno regional television channel amongst Asia's international air travelers and the leading news provider for business and top management travelers, reveals the latest research by International Air Travelers Survey (IATS).

The research, conducted by European Data Research (EDR) in eight major Asian airports reveals that CNN has the highest viewing amongst air travelers both at home and while traveling. The survey also highlights that amongst air travelers news programming is the most preferred genre, followed by movies, sport and documentaries. The survey reveals that CNN reaches 44 per cent of business travelers during that period as compared to 28 per cent watching BBC World and 17 per cent watching CNBC.

"CNN has, once again, reinforced its No. 1 position, and continues to lead over all international TV channels and genres. We see the results of IATS as a testimonial from key decision makers that CNN continues to remain the channel of choice, and also, an endorsement of our ability to deliver to up-scale audiences whether at home or while traveling," Turner International Asia Pacific V-P Duncan Morris has been quoted as saying in an official release.

The survey was carried out in June and July 2002 among travelers aged 18+ departing on international flights from eight major airports in the following cities: Osaka, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei. The results are based on a total of 11,615 completed questionnaires, says the release.