MUMBAI: CNN is launching a new primetime evening news show titled ?CNN NewsCenter?, further expanding its live programming from Asia.

Anchored out of Hong Kong by CNN anchor Monita Rajpal, the show will air everyday at 5 pm, starting 21 January.

The show is the latest addition to CNN?s Hong Kong programming expansion, following the recent debut of ?CNN Newsroom, Live from Hong Kong?, a two hour morning news show anchored by Andrew Stevens and Patricia Wu, as well as the launch of ?On China?, a monthly show hosted by Kristie Lu Stout.

?CNN NewsCenter? airs at the crossroads of the international day: morning in North and South America, lunchtime in Europe, afternoon in the Middle East and Africa, and evening in the Asia Pacific region.

Providing viewers around the world with a 30 minute briefing on the biggest global headlines, the primetime news program airs between CNN?s two shows ?Amanpour? and ?Piers Morgan Tonight?.

MUMBAI: Consumers without bundling will pay more for less. "I don?t think it?s desirable for consumers to break the bundle. You end up paying more for less," said Time Warner chairman, CEO Jeff Bewkes at the UBS Media and Communications Conference in New York.

There isn?t much opportunity for the cable operators to unbundle networks or create more tiers. The issue, however, is about sports where the content costs dor distribution platforms is shooting up. "The escalation of sports rights, I don?t know what will happen with that. That may be an issue. Other than the concentrated viewing and cost of sports, the rest of the bundle is a better value than ever," said Bewkes.

He also spoke about CNN saying, "It is true, to criticize ourselves, that we have not programmed it to keep it interesting if you wanted to stay for hours".

CNN gets high ratings during breaking news but has fallen off during slower times. "We need to do a better job of producing the full 24 hours. It doesn?t all have to be politics, although that is a part of it. We?re going to be a little bit more vigorous and broad," said Bewkes.

Asked about the movie business, Bewkes said business is decent in the US and strong overseas, but warned of the trend toward lower-margin rentals vs. buying in the home video market. The studios are trying to combat this trend with the cloud-based UltraViolet venture that promotes home video ownership.

MUMBAI: CNN en Espanol has said it will launch its new Spanish language programming block CNN Latino in US for the Hispanic market.

CNN Latino is a new brand extension that targets the growing and diverse U.S. Hispanic market, delivering a broad spectrum of programming that will cover news, lifestyle, documentary, talk and debate as an alternative to traditional Hispanic networks.

"The U.S. market is so diverse and so large that there is room for two distinctive content options," said CNN en Espanol and Hispanic strategy for CNN/U.S SVP and GM Cynthia Hudson-Fernandez.

"There is a real demand for relevant, dynamic, quality programming and CNN Latino is a unique product designed specifically for the growing U.S. Hispanic audience, representing the dual reality of U.S. Latinos today who are multi-generational and proud to be bilingual. The launch of CNN Latino is the first step to bringing this syndicated programming block to local broadcast stations in key Hispanic media markets across the country."

CNN Latino will first launch in Los Angeles late January 2013, with a branded programming block of eight hours of customized content directed at the U.S. Hispanic audience. CNN Latino will broadcast in Los Angeles on KBEH-DT Channel 63, which is owned by Hero Broadcasting, and can be seen throughout the Los Angeles area, reaching more than 14 million people.

KBEH-DT Channel 63 will carry CNN Latino from 3pm-11pm (PT) and will include a locally produced debate show, along with unique lifestyle, documentary and talk programs and will engage with its audience through social media, local events and website. CNN Latino and its affiliate stations will have their own dedicated section on the world-wide Spanish-language site cnnespanol.com/ cnnespanol.com.

MUMBAI: As China prepares for its most significant leadership transition in decades, CNN has announced the launch of its first ever regular series focussed on the country. The new monthly show hosted by CNN correspondent and anchor Kristie Lu Stout provides viewers with an insider?s view of China from within its own borders.

The first episode ?Inside the Chinese Communist Party? airs on 17 October at 3 pm, 20 October at 10 am, 21 October at 5 pm, 27 October at 5 pm and on 28 October at 10 am.

The second episode: ?Chinese Consumerism? airs on 21 November at 4 pm, 24 November at 11 am, 25 November at 7 pm, 1 December at 3 pm and on 2 December at 11 am.

The third episode ?Chinese Exploration? airs on 19 December at 4 pm, 22 December at 11 am, 23 December at 7 pm, 29 December at 7 pm, and 30 December at 11 am.

Shot on location in Hong Kong at Hullett House, in each 30-minute show Lu Stout sits down with thought and business leaders from within China?s borders for a roundtable discussion about what really drives this world power and economic giant.

With China?s leadership transition expected within a month, the first episode delves into the Chinese Communist Party, exploring how membership is obtained, factions within the party, the personality traits of China?s presumed next leader, and the impact of the ongoing Bo Xilai scandal. At the table helping to demystify the Chinese Communist Party is Hung Huang, a celebrated Chinese media personality and publisher brought up among China?s political elite, Victor Gao, a former official in the Chinese Foreign Ministry and English translator for Deng Xiaoping and John Pomfret, award-winning journalist and China commentator.

CNN International senior VP Mike McCarthy said, "The world is watching China more than ever and our new show delivers in-depth, intelligent insights on its economic, political and cultural drivers. We?re proud to be the first international news network to dedicate a regular show to China, enabling viewers within China?s borders and around the world to better understand the country and its people."

Lu Stout said, "China is a country of dramatic change, political intrigue, and dynamic economic growth. I?ve been writing and reporting about China since the late 1990s, and the nation continues to fascinate me. I?m excited to host a regular discussion on current affairs and trends inside China."

The November episode looks at the growing strength of Chinese consumerism and in December, the show focuses on Chinese exploration.