Go behind-the-scenes of CNN Headlines.

CNN's Nima Ahmed talks about what it takes to make Headlines.

An exclusive inside look with your free CNN account Get the day's most important stories, now on the CNN App. Over the last year, CNN Headlines has undergone some big changes —including an expansion into the CNN App. Viewers can now stream curated updates around the clock, covering everything from politics and international events to business, sports and entertainment. CNN Senior Vice President of Programming Nima Ahmed, who played a major role in this shift, takes us behind the evolution of Headlines and shares where it’s headed next. Let’s dive in.  Now Streaming CNN Headlines has grown quite a bit since its launch. How did it all begin?    When Headlines first launched, it was primarily a clip-based network. It featured segments from different CNN shows, often presented without a clear structure or flow.   Over time, we transformed it into something much more intentional. We built live morning, dayside and evening news blocks that give viewers a curated and consistent news experience throughout the day.   We also developed original clip-based programs that highlight some of the best content from across CNN. One of those is In Case You Missed It, which brings together the most impactful, memorable and shareable moments from across the network. Executive producers from our programs are incredibly engaged and regularly send us their best segments, allowing us to showcase standout moments viewers may have missed.   Our other signature clip-based show is American Pulse, which highlights compelling video and storytelling from our affiliate stations around the country. We’re finding remarkable stories every day, whether it's a woman confronting a masked man terrorizing her neighborhood, a family discovering through DNA testing that their children were switched at birth, a couple whose wedding plans changed when the bride went into labor and they ended up getting married at the hospital, or an 81-year-old biking across the country with his dog.   When we first started, I wasn't sure there would be enough exceptional content to fill an hour every day, but we learned very quickly that there is an abundance of incredible stories unfolding across the country every single day, and audiences really respond to them.   Over the last year what has been the biggest change you’ve seen with Headlines now that it has expanded into our All Access offering subscription?    One of the biggest changes has been our willingness to experiment with new formats and tools to meet our audiences where they are. We've seen this through the implementation of live programming - like with our State of the Union and Knicks Ticker-Tape Parade coverage - as well as with breaking news moments and live interviews, which didn’t exist on Headlines in its previous form. We're constantly evolving the way we approach storytelling so that it's not only beneficial to our audience, but also creates must-see programming that complements CNN's other platforms.   As CNN continues to expand and refine its product offerings, how important has the viewer experience been in shaping the changes we’ve seen to Headlines over the past year?    The viewer experience is an incredibly important piece of what we do.   One of the biggest insights we’ve found is that audiences have a strong appetite for news and are willing to stay with us for longer periods than many people might expect. But at the same time, we've seen that some of our clip-based and curated shows perform just as well as our live programming.   We've also learned that viewers appreciate the variety of stories we offer. Alongside the day's biggest news events, we cover entertainment, health, lifestyle and viral stories, as well as unique human-interest stories that viewers often won't find anywhere else. That mix helps us reach different audiences while keeping the experience fresh and engaging.    We’ve found that the audience also truly understands what Headlines is. They know we're not trying to replicate CNN's breaking-news coverage, but they trust that we'll cover the major stories in a Headlines format that's fast, accessible and easy to follow. And as a result, they're continuing to seek us out during important news moments. CNN Headline Express Anchor Brad Smith and Executive Producer Melody Taylor. For someone who might be new to CNN and exploring the All Access experience, where does CNN Headline Express fit into their daily news routine?    CNN Headline Express, our live program on Headlines anchored by Brad Smith, is your rapid-fire catch-up on the day's biggest stories. It gives viewers a quick, comprehensive look at what's happening across the country and around the world. In a short amount of time, you can get up to speed on a wide range of stories and feel informed about the news that matters most.   Headline Express has become another important entry point into the CNN ecosystem, particularly for audiences who may not be traditional CNN viewers. It gives people a way to experience CNN journalism in a format that feels approachable, fast and easy to consume.   Looking ahead, what opportunities do you see for CNN Headlines to strengthen and complement CNN’s growing portfolio, and how might it help drive deeper engagement with CNN across all platforms?    Headlines has become a powerful marketing vehicle for CNN All Access. Through Headlines, we're able to introduce new and non-traditional audiences to the broader CNN brand, showcase the depth of our reporting and talent, and create pathways for viewers to discover other content across the All Access experience.   We've already seen strong evidence of that. When we launched on Roku, audiences found us almost immediately. That response reinforced our belief that there is demand for this type of product and that there are viewers looking for a different way to engage with CNN.   As we expand onto additional platforms, we're optimistic that we'll continue reaching new audiences and introducing more people to the broader CNN and All Access experience. The more places we make Headlines available, the more opportunities we have to expose new viewers to the CNN brand, deepen engagement and ultimately bring them into the larger CNN ecosystem. Stream CNN Headlines now on the CNN app. You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for a CNN account. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or sign up to manage your CNN account   Privacy Policy | Terms of Use    ® © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. 1050 Techwood Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318