MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN has launched a new monthly show i-List which takes viewers to countries that are changing the way we live and look at the world around us. i-List will highlight innovation and influence in industry, business, technology, culture and more. It showcases a nation's people and places - those having an impact inside and outside their borders.
From 8 February, CNN International turns its cameras on France in i-List: France, a special week of prime time programming and reports from the country that will uncover some of the economic, social, cultural and political developments currently shaping France and positioning the nation for the future. Throughout 2010, i-List is set to come from a number of Asian countries.
CNN International VP of coverage and feature programming Mike McCarthy says, "With i-List, we wanted to give our viewers and users insightful and intelligent programming about countries that are changing the way we think and how we live in an Interconnected world. It will highlight the inventive people, innovative businesses and inspirational cultural trends in nations that directly impact the way we live and do business in the future.
CNN will anchor two of its signature European prime time shows from France. Hala Gorani will be in Paris with I-Desk from 9-12 February 2010 at 2 am and Fionnuala Sweeney in Lyon with World One from 8-12 February at 11:30 pm. There will also be a series of specially commissioned reports by correspondents Jim Bitterman and Atika Schubert.
CNN's Paris-based Senior Correspondent Jim Bitterman - recently awarded the Legion of Honour for his 30 years of distinguished reporting on France - examines how France is leveraging long established ties with China and India through the entrepreneurial spirit of business leaders such as the legendary Pierre Cardin, former French Prime Minister and Senator Pierre Rafferin and inspirational Club Med chairman Henri Giscard d'Estaing.
Atika Shubert begins the week at the Lyon Library which has joined up with Google Books to post 500,000 ancient manuscripts online. French officials fear that the scanning project by Google will put the country's national literary treasures in the control of corporate hands. Lyon's Library Director shows CNN the rare document he believes need to be scanned by Google.
The week of coverage will culminate with a 30-minute debate hosted by CNN's Hala Gorani with a panel of French personalities including Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon.
Online users will be able to visit the i-List microsite, www.cnn.com/ilist for video packages and more.
