CNN to launch on Freeview this week

CNN International will start broadcasting on Freeview on Thursday night, it was confirmed today.

The channel will air every night between 9pm and 1am on channel 84, grouped with Freeview's two other news offerings from the BBC and Sky.

At launch, its window on Freeview will offer UK terrestrial viewers BackStory, World Sport, World News Europe, The Situation Room from CNN USA and the first hour of CNN Today from Hong Kong; however, a new lineup of primetime shows for Europe is in development.

"We’re delighted to be doubling our UK distribution," said Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International. "UK viewers will be able to enjoy not only our signature global news and feature programming but also a new slate of new programmes we’re developing for Europe primetime."

The network is already carried in the UK on satellite, cable and Tiscali's IPTV service. 50 hours a week of programming are broadcast from its London base, which serves as CNN's European headquarters.