HLN (TV network) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
HLN

Country	United States
Broadcast area	United States Canada Latin America The Caribbean Asia MENA Australia (some hotels only)
Headquarters	CNN Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Programming
Language(s)	English
Picture format	1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
Owner	Warner Bros. Discovery
Parent	Warner Bros. Discovery Networks
Sister channels	CNN CNN International CNN en Español Investigation Discovery
History
Launched	January 1, 1982; 43 years ago (1982-01-01) (as CNN2) August 9, 1982; 42 years ago (1982-08-09) (as Headline News) December 15, 2008; 16 years ago (2008-12-15) (as HLN)
Former names	CNN2 (1982) Headline News (1982–1997) CNN Headline News (1997–2007) HLN: Headline News (2007–2008)
Availability
Terrestrial
Audio available via some radio stations	Frequencies vary
Streaming media
go.cnn.com	Live simulcast (Pay-TV subscribers only)
YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream

HLN is an American TV channel available on basic cable. It is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The channel mostly shows programs about true crime, which are real stories about crimes. It also has a small amount of live news.

HLN first started on January 1, 1982, as CNN2. It was a sister channel to CNN. Back then, it showed a 30-minute loop of news segments. This meant you could tune in anytime and get caught up quickly. Over time, HLN changed its focus. In 2005, it started showing more shows with specific hosts and opinions.

In the mid-2010s, HLN tried to focus on social media. It highlighted popular headlines from social networks. But by 2016, the channel started to change again. It began focusing more on crime stories, local news, and entertainment. This was different from CNN, which focused on politics.

In 2022, the company that owned CNN merged with another company called Discovery Inc. This created Warner Bros. Discovery. HLN then became a sister channel to Investigation Discovery (ID), which also shows true crime. In December 2022, HLN stopped making its own live news shows. Now, it mainly shows true crime programs. It also airs a morning news show called CNN This Morning for a short time each day.

As of 2018, HLN was available in about 88.7 million homes in the United States. It is also available in some other countries. These include parts of Asia, Latin America, and Canada.

Exploring HLN's History

Starting Out: CNN2 and Headline News

The channel began on January 1, 1982, as CNN2. Its launch was shown on CNN and TBS. This was a preview for cable companies. The idea was that viewers could get updated news in just 30 minutes. This was called the "Headline News Wheel." It included national news, business, sports, and lifestyle reports.

On August 9, 1982, CNN2 changed its name to Headline News. For many years, it was also called "CNN Headline News." In the late 1980s, some newspapers called it "HLN Headline News." HLN had a competitor called Satellite News Channel. But Ted Turner, who started HLN, bought its satellite spot. This helped HLN reach more homes.

In 1989, Headline News added a news ticker at the bottom of the screen. This ticker showed financial data and stock market updates. In 1992, it added the "Headline News SportsTicker." This showed sports scores and schedules. This was the first time a TV channel had a continuous news ticker.

A Close Call: The Bush Hoax

On January 8, 1992, HLN almost reported a false story. President George H. W. Bush felt unwell during a trip to Japan. Someone called HLN pretending to be the president's doctor. They claimed something very serious had happened to him. An anchor was about to share the news. But an executive producer quickly stopped it. They realized the information had not been checked. It turned out to be a hoax. The person who called was later questioned. This event showed how important it is to check facts.

New Technology: The "Jukebox" Effect

In 1992, Headline News started using a "digital video jukebox." This technology helped them reuse news segments. It meant they didn't need as many staff members. News segments could be played again throughout the day. This led to some staff changes.

Visual Changes and New Looks

On June 15, 1999, the network got a new look. It had an updated ticker called the "Superticker." It also had a new studio. The channel divided its day into four parts. These were First Watch, Second Watch, Third Watch, and Late Watch. Each part had its own colors and branding. This showed that HLN always offered straight news.

On August 6, 2001, CNN Headline News changed its look again. Its new slogan was Real news, real fast. The ticker was replaced by a large section at the bottom of the screen. This section showed headlines, weather, and sports. The channel also got a new studio. Some people thought the new screen showed too much information. They said it was distracting.

Shifting Focus: From News to Views

Previous HLN logo. Used until January 13, 2015.

In February 2005, HLN started a new evening block called Headline Prime. This block featured shows with opinions and hosts. It was different from CNN's "hard news." Shows like Showbiz Tonight and Nancy Grace were part of this block. Nancy Grace focused on crime and court cases.

In May 2006, Headline Prime added a show hosted by Glenn Beck. Both Nancy Grace and Glenn Beck helped HLN get more viewers. In 2007, HLN also launched a morning show called Morning Express with Robin Meade.

On December 15, 2008, Headline News changed its name to HLN. It also got a new logo and slogan: "News and Views." In November 2011, HLN launched its own website.

Big Trials: Casey Anthony and Conrad Murray

The show Nancy Grace became very well-known for its coverage of the Caylee Anthony case. HLN was seen as making this local murder case a national obsession. HLN showed the trial of Casey Anthony live. Nancy Grace had a huge increase in viewers during this time.

During the verdict on July 5, 2011, HLN had a record 5.2 million viewers. Nancy Grace also had a record 2.9 million viewers. This was a very big moment for the network.

Later that year, HLN also covered the trial of Conrad Murray. He was accused in the death of Michael Jackson. Viewership for this trial also grew. HLN saw a big increase in viewers in October 2011.

Focusing on Social Media

Logo used from January 13, 2015, to May 8, 2017.

In 2013, HLN decided to become the "first TV home for the social media generation." In 2014, HLN's news started to focus on content popular on social networks. It also showed a syndicated program called RightThisMinute, which featured viral videos.

On January 13, 2015, HLN had a big change in its shows and look. It introduced new social media-themed programs. These included The Daily Share and a game show called Keywords. HLN also got a new logo and a new studio. The studio looked like a "coffee house." It had no traditional anchor desk.

True Crime and New Strategy

Logo used from May 8, 2017, to June 27, 2023.

In 2015, HLN announced plans to change its programming. It wanted to be more like CNN. This included focusing on documentary films. In 2016, HLN added new afternoon shows. These included MichaeLA and On the Story.

On June 30, 2016, Nancy Grace announced she would leave HLN. Her show was replaced by Primetime Justice with Ashleigh Banfield. In January 2017, HLN started a new documentary series called How it Really Happened. This series focused on famous crimes and mysteries.

On May 8, 2017, HLN changed its logo and slogan again. The new slogan was "News that hits home." The network started to focus its news on local headlines, crime, and entertainment. CNN, meanwhile, focused on politics. By 2022, HLN mostly showed true crime documentaries. The only live news shows were Morning Express and Weekend Express.

Ending Live News Programs

On December 1, 2022, HLN announced a big change. It would no longer make its own live news shows. This was part of cost-cutting by its new owner, Warner Bros. Discovery. HLN's operations would merge with its sister channel, Investigation Discovery.

Since December 6, HLN has been showing CNN This Morning daily. This is to meet agreements with cable providers. For the rest of the day, HLN shows true crime documentaries. It also airs reruns of crime and legal dramas from the Warner Bros. Television library. Some people think this might be a step towards HLN changing its format completely.

How HLN Reaches Viewers

HLN was popular for people who wanted quick news. It was also a fast source of news for public places like airports and bars. Many TV stations used to show HLN programs overnight. This was instead of signing off or showing movies.

HLN's audio was also available on radio stations. This included XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Now, it is on Sirius XM channel 117. You can also listen to it on the Audacy website and app.

In 2011, HLN launched TV Everywhere streaming. This allowed subscribers to watch HLN on the CNN mobile app.

HLN Around the World

Until 1995, much of HLN's programming was also shown on CNN International. Since the mid-2000s, HLN has been available in some countries outside the United States. These include parts of Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The shows are the same as in the U.S. But the commercials and weather forecasts are for those regions.

HLN's Picture Quality

HLN broadcasts in high definition 1080i resolution. It is available on most pay-TV providers in the United States. It is also available in Canada.

What You Can Watch on HLN

Before it became a true crime channel, HLN's weekday schedule had live news. The last original news shows were Morning Express and Weekend Express. These were canceled in December 2022. Now, the only live news program is a simulcast of CNN This Morning.

Most of HLN's schedule now focuses on true crime programs. The network often shows reruns of Forensic Files. This show takes up a lot of the channel's weekly schedule. HLN also produces new true crime series. These include How it Really Happened and Forensic Files II.

HLN has also tried showing entertainment programs. In 2015, it aired the film Glory with discussions. It also showed special episodes of the talk show Conan. In 2022, HLN aired a marathon of the political drama The West Wing. This was the first time HLN showed a scripted TV series.

Sometimes, HLN also shows sports events from Turner Sports. This happens when other channels like TBS or TNT are busy.

HLN used to broadcast CNN Student News. This was a 10-minute news program for schools. It presented news in a simple way. It is no longer on HLN, but it is still available online. In 2016, this program was renamed CNN 10.

Meet the HLN Team

Current Anchors and Reporters

Past Anchors and Reporters

Past Talk Show Hosts

Images for kids

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  The CNN Headline News logo from 1997–2001.

See also

In Spanish: HLN para niños