Top of the Ticker: On Monday, CNN’s domestic FAST channel CNN Headlines debuted a new weekday schedule running from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Featuring a mix of live news and roundups of can’t-miss moments, CNN Headlines’ lineup includes news shows like CNN Headline Express, a live news program hosted by anchor Brad Smith; ICYMI (In Case You Missed It), featuring the most newsworthy and compelling stories from CNN U.S. programming; and American Pulse, an hourlong show featuring news reports provided by CNN affiliates across the country.
“The relaunch of CNN Headlines is vital to our distribution and investment strategy, and I’m proud of how hard our teams across CNN have worked to innovate in this space,” said Eric Sherling, evp of U.S. programming for CNN Worldwide.
The launch of CNN Headlines’ new lineup underscores the network’s wider investment in its FAST programming, complementing its existing linear, digital, mobile, and podcast offerings and soon-to-launch streaming service and other standalone products.
CNN’s domestic FAST channel, CNN Headlines, debuts new programming schedule: https://t.co/LHT3Ofszur pic.twitter.com/japHuCUvph
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) August 18, 2025
Continued investment: This continuous investment in CNN’s streaming digital products was further cemented by Gunnar Wiedenfels, the CEO of the soon-to-be-spun-off company comprising Warner Bros. Discovery’s linear channel, Discovery Global. Wiedenfels, in a CNBC profile, said these investments are “a pretty significant financial commitment in an industry with declining linear secular trends.” CNN chairman and CEO Mark Thompson, in the same profile, said Gunnar has “more than met our ask on investments. In fact, he’s asked whether we need any more.”
Receiving Recognition: CBS News’ Robert Costa will be the recipient of the National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award. Costa, who is the network’s national correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning and chief Washington Analyst, will be feted with a gala on Dec. 9 in the nation’s capital. Costa is being spotlighted for his coverage of national politics, in-depth interviews with newsmakers, and features on culture, literature, and the arts on Sunday Morning, as well as his analyst work for CBS News’ other linear and digital programming.
Congratulations to Robert Costa of @cbsnews.com, @cbssundaymorning.bsky.social, recipient of the @pressclubdc.bsky.social’s 2025 #FourthEstate Award!
Join us on Dec. 9 to honor Robert at our annual gala celebrating excellence in journalism.
Tickets on sale now: www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-fourt…
— National Press Club Journalism Institute (@npcinstitute.bsky.social) August 21, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Meanwhile, Ghanaian journalist Godwin Asediba was named the winner of the 2025 BBC News Komla Dumor Award. Established in 2015, the award was named after the Ghanaian broadcaster and BBC journalist who died of a heart attack in 2014. Asediba, who works for Ghana’s TV3, will spend three months working with BBC News teams across television, radio, and online in London. “This recognition strengthens my resolve to shine a light on issues that matter and to amplify the voices that too often go unheard,” Asediba said.
Today we celebrate 10 years of the Komla Dumor Award…🎉
Ghana’s @GodwinAsediba has been named this year’s winner!
Read more about this special award celebrating African journalists: https://t.co/JIcCEvNbo4
— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) August 21, 2025
In memoriam: Newsmax and the media world are mourning the loss of makeup artist Travis Renee Baldwin, who was allegedly killed by her son, Logan Chrisinger, in Arlington, Virginia, this past weekend. The police indicated that no clear motive has yet been determined for the unfortunate killing. “Everyone was deeply saddened about the passing of Travis Renee, who was a beloved part of our Washington production team. Our sympathy goes out to her friends and family,” Newsmax said in a statement to TVNewser. Baldwin, 57, was an independent contractor who had been with Newsmax for the past five years. She has also worked for ABC and ESPN. Newsmax staffers took to social media to mourn Baldwin’s passing.
We are heartbroken at Newsmax DC.
Our beloved, caring, and always encouraging Renee will no longer light up our newsroom with her smile, contagious energy, and always, always carefully curated looks.
I called her our newsroom’s fashionista.
Good buy, Renee. You will be dearly… pic.twitter.com/nLRHilRG5p
— Nana Sajaia (@NanaSajaia) August 20, 2025
3 beautiful, smiling women on the way out from work some time ago.
Heaven’s newest angel sits perched in the middle, Renne Travis Baldwin.
I’m sure many friends and friends of friends in our industry have come into contact with Renee if you’ve ever been in need of H&MU.… pic.twitter.com/lgPI2dsxNy
— Marisela Ramirez (@mariselapenny) August 19, 2025
Renee did my makeup at Newsmax for the past 1.5 years and sometimes did fill-in shifts at Rising. The news of her murder was such a shock. She was a kind, generous, funny woman who always brightened the day of anyone who sat in her chair. Fridays at Newsmax were something I… https://t.co/DTp6OebUf3
— Amber Duke (@ambermarieduke) August 19, 2025