March 5, 2002
CNN’s “Crossfire” Moves to GW
University Inks Unprecedented Partnership with CNN
to Base Its Popular Political Interview Show at the Jack Morton Auditorium
The George Washington University
and the Cable News Network (CNN) have announced a deal to bring CNN’s
longest running political debate program “Crossfire” to GW’s
campus on a permanent basis. Starting April 1 the program will air live
from the 250-seat Jack Morton Auditorium in the Media and Public Affairs
Building.
“This partnership provides
a unique educational and enrichment opportunity for our students in
the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) and across the University
to witness and participate in national public policy dialogues,”
says President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg in a statement announcing the
unprecedented partnership. “Through internships and audience participation,
GW students will gain a new understanding of the inner workings of network
television and Washington politics. We look forward to a long and fruitful
partnership with CNN in this very exciting venture.”
The partnership includes exclusive
internships and priority audience participation for GW students. In
addition, CNN and GW will strive to make the program a premium destination
for conference attendees and tourists — particularly secondary
and college students — visiting Washington, DC, from around the
world. The University is now developing a unique “e-ticketing”
system for the “Crossfire” shows and will work with the Washington,
DC, Convention Center and Tourism Corporation, Chamber of Commerce,
Board of Trade, congressional offices, and other groups as part of its
outreach effort.
Vice President Michael Freedman’s
communications division will oversee the University’s roles and
responsibilities in the partnership. Freedman, a veteran broadcast executive
and former general manager of CBS Radio News, will work closely with
CNN staff and SMPA faculty to ensure a positive experience for the GW
community.
Along with the move to the
MPA Building and the addition of live audiences, the program, in its
19th season, will make several other adjustments to its format. Two
new hosts will be added to the lineup. Former President Clinton’s
staffers James Carville and Paul Begala will represent the left, facing
off against “Crossfire” regulars Robert Novak and Tucker Carlson
representing the right. The show also will expand to a full hour, airing
weekdays at 7 pm.
“Crossfire” has consistently
been among CNN’s highest-rated shows, and regularly includes the
nation’s top news makers, including White House officials and cabinet
secretaries, members of Congress, political candidates, social activists,
community leaders, scholars, economists, and leading journalists. Average
nightly viewership for February 2002 topped the 720,000 mark.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
