Jim Walton

Jim Walton is president of CNN Worldwide. He oversees a portfolio of news and information networks and businesses that includes the original 24-hour cable news network, the no. 1 news and information site on the Web, the no. 1 political news blog and the no. 1 mobile Internet news provider. Named to his current post in May 2003, Walton has executive responsibility for CNN/U.S., HLN, CNN International, CNN.com, CNN en Español, CNN Airport Channel, CNN Radio and CNN Newsource. He is based in Atlanta at CNN’s world headquarters and reports to Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of CNN’s parent company, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Under Walton’s leadership, CNN Worldwide has grown exponentially by evolving its operating model from a broadcast-network focus to a multi-platform portfolio delivering news and information via television, radio, computer, cellphone and portable device. CNN Worldwide today reaches more than 2 billion people in more than 200 countries and territories through 24 branded networks and services.

Also under Walton, CNN debuted Anderson Cooper 360º and The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to critical acclaim and ratings success; developed and deployed an innovative portable digital newsgathering kit that enables CNN journalists in the field to report, edit and upload news packages from virtually anywhere in the world; and launched iReport, a user-generated content initiative in which CNN’s global audience can send to CNN digital platforms news captured by cellphone, camera and other devices.

Walton championed CNN’s largest-ever investment in global newsgathering, including the creation of a London-based digital-production unit and a regional newsgathering hub in the United Arab Emirates; major investments in CNN’s International Newsource and CNN’s in-house wire operations; and the posting of multimedia journalists in 10 additional cities in the United States, expanding its operations to a total of 20 U.S. cities.

During Walton’s tenure, CNN’s journalism has garnered unrivaled critical acclaim, receiving every major journalism award on numerous occasions, including the George Foster Peabody Award, the Alfred I. duPont Award, the Emmy Award and the Edward R. Murrow Award.

Walton, who joined CNN one year after its 1980 inception, began his career as a video journalist, CNN’s entry-level position, and has held virtually every position in news production since. In 1983, he moved to CNN Sports as an editor and was later promoted to executive producer. From 1996 to 2000, Walton was the president of CNN’s all-sports network, CNN/Sports Illustrated, also overseeing CNN’s sports division. As president of CNN’s domestic networks group, he led CNN/U.S., Headline News and CNN.com, ultimately assuming responsibility for the entire CNN portfolio.

Walton earned a bachelor of arts degree in radio, television and film from the University of Maryland. Among his professional honors is an Emmy Award for CNN’s coverage of the 1996 Olympic Park bombing.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network; CNN Newsource; and strategic international partnerships in television and digital media.