CNN Center, Atlanta

One of the reasons for my visit to Atlanta this year was to speak at a seminar occuring in the CNN center in Atlanta. Since I was already going to be onsite at the center, I decided to take the inside tour of how CNN produces its news coverage and gets it out to the public. The tour consists of a guided information tour of the different studio sets, how the reports are found, edited, added to the prompters, and how the reporters get the news out to you. In addition, they show a little of the technology involved in making the product look good to the end user, including teleprompters, green screens, and other little industry tidbits.

The tour lasted almost an hour, and our group had 10 people, but the tour before us had about 25. You will start by taking the largest free standing escalator in the world up 8 stories, and then slowly walk downstairs past all the studios.

During one of the sessions, you will have the opportunity to pose for a photo behind a news anchor desk, and then purchase that professional photo. In order to maximize profit on this endeavor, they do require no photography on the tour.

Overall, this was an interesting tour, and I would likely do it again for the first time if I had this knowledge.

Cost as of Nov. 2008 was $12 per person, and photos were available as a set for $20.

Youth (4-18): $9
Senior (65+): $11
Group (20+): $10/person (ages 19+)
$8/person (ages 4-18)
Children 3 and under are free, but must have a ticket.

Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended and can be made Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. by calling 404.827.2300 or toll free at 1.877.4CNNTOUR

Hours: The Inside CNN tour is open daily from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with tours departing approximately every 10 minutes.

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This is a large indoor building housing the TV center nucleus of CNN and a number of shops and retail eating places. Tickets to get a tour of the center is $13.00 and $11.75 for seniors. Tour times are generally 9-5.

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The center features tours throughout the day, usually every 20 minutes spread. The groups are around 20-30 people each when busy. Prices for the tour is $13 for adults. The tour was, at best medicore. There is not a lot to see, and the tour guides run you through the various spots to see the TV tele promptors and employees that set up the agenda, that there is little time to view, and ask questions. They take you up and then down 8 flights of stairs, and while we were there no elevator working (for last 5 months) so did not get to see the globe inside of the world, or use the elevator to descend. They do "somewhat pressure" you into a purchase of picture behind a desk for $20, and at the end, you are dropped off at the gift shop that is packed with CNN paraphernalia. The tour lasts about 50 minutes, but the real tour portion closer to 40 minutes.

The global headquarters of CNN (Cable News Network) and Turner Broadcasting (The Parent Company) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Atlanta. Visitors get the chance to go behind the scenes of CNN’s international networks on the CNN Studio Tour for a view of the Global Headquarters of CNN, being able to browse through over 25 years of CNN footage and even include a bird’s eye view of the newsroom in action.

Admission Prices

Adult: $13
Child (4-18): $10
Senior (65+): $12
Children 3 and under are free, but must have a ticket.

Sunday to Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Tours departing every 10 minutes

April 2009

pictured is the CNN center which is home to the multi national Cable News Network. CNN was founded by ted turner and was the first cable news television network in america. CNN's viewer ship grew significantly with their coverage of the first gulf war and the first o.j. simpson trial. CNN's success spawned a number of competing networks such as FoxNews, CNBC, and MSNBC. they offer a interesting one hour tour of the operation where you can see the news rooms, control room, and other behind the scenes aspects of the network. a interesting thing to do when in downtown atlanta. see the attached website for tour information.

The CNN Center is an interesting place....theoretically. I took the tour around the building and was able to experience the wonderful joy of day to day news operations. I started the tour thinking I would get to learn about the history of th media giant and possibly how media has shaped America over the years. If you are interested in the process of how news goes from mind to market than you may enjoy this more than I did.

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The headquarters for the well-known news channel, this has become a tourist destination in it's own right. You can take a guided tour of the studio ($12 adult, $9 child), eat at the food court which has mostly chain food stores (Taco Bell, Blimpees, Chik-Fil-A, Arby's, etc.), and shop for Atlanta and Turner TV souvenirs.

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The Inside CNN tour starts from the 8th floor and works down to the lobby with stops at various studios and offices along the way. It was very interesting to go behind the scenes of this huge network while they were broadcasting live.

Be advised that you will go through an airport-type security process (including a bag search) before entering, and the 1-hour tour involves walking down steps. Also, you can't take your own pictures during the tour, but you can take one behind a newsdesk, which can be purchased at the gift shop for $20.

There is a public atrium and food court in the lobby.

We took the quick tour. It lasted about 45 minutes most of which was spent riding a giant escalator up and then walking back down stairs (take note people that cannot take the stairs).

They start with a brief "control room" display to show you how there are different feeds that the director has to look at. You can overhear them giving directions and such. Then you get to look down into the various newsrooms.

To be honest, we went on a Sunday and not much was going on since it was the weekend. If you are really interested in seeing the tour, I would recommend coming during the week in order to observe some activity. Otherwise, there isn't much to recommend going.

We take ir for granted to switch the tv on, and watch CNN.
Do this tour, which is well guided, and very informative.
It is great to see how all of what we see is being put together.
All together, a very pleasent experience