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Ali Velshi Conquers The World With CNNi Show, Increased Presence At CNN

by Tommy Christopher | 11:18 am, November 3rd, 2011

» 10 comments

According to CNN, the network plans to increase the footprint of Your Money host Ali Velshi to Sasquatchian proportions, bringing his financial reporting expertise to bear as the anchor of a daily CNN International show, World Business Today, and stepping up his business reporting and analysis on CNN. The move should be a good one for Velshi, for CNN, and for CNN‘s viewers.

From CNN’s press release:

CNN Chief Business Correspondent Ali Velshi is adding new roles across CNN Worldwide. Beginning next month, Velshi will provide business reporting and analysis for CNN’s domestic channel, launching signature segments that will interpret and explain a top story of the day. In addition, in 2012, he becomes an anchor of CNN International’s World Business Today, a daily global business news program. Velshi also continues as host of Your Money on weekends on CNN/U.S.

In Velshi’s new role for CNN/U.S., he will take a look at one of the top economic, global or political stories of the day and deconstruct and translate it for viewers. Drawing upon Ali’s global business news experience, this segment is geared towards breaking down for audiences some of the most complex issues of our time.

“I’m looking forward to the daily intellectual exercise of taking the most important and intricate issues, breaking them down and providing the context necessary to help the CNN viewer make the smartest decisions they can,” said Velshi.

Velshi became nearly ubiquitous as the financial crisis unfolded in 2008, demonstrating an ability to connect viewers with (often bone-dry) stories in an engaging, yet still thorough, way. Since then, Velshi has been a fixture at the network, providing commentary and analysis on a broad range of topics, moving around the programming schedule as interim host in primetime, hosting dayside programming, and morning programs.

His expanded role, though, will allow Velshi (and CNN) to leverage the skill and expertise that made him a star at the network, and his World Business Today gig offers a chance for viewers to catch Velshi in a permanent home worthy of his talents. “Ali’s global business expertise is an asset that we want to showcase more broadly across a range of CNN programs,” said Ken Jautz, Executive Vice President, CNN/U.S., in a press release. “He will help viewers understand and decode some of the most complex and important stories of the day, particularly economic and global issues.”

The prominence of business issues in today’s news cycle, manifested by the cultural crossover of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and the importance of the economy in the upcoming presidential election should prove Velshi invaluable, as he continues to connect mains street viewers to Wall Street stories.

ali velshi, CNN, CNNI, World Business Today, Your Money

NDanielson

Wow, just what our country needs. Another Kenyan born Muslim to help us with our economy. You really know how to pick America’s winners, Tommy.
57 states

Yoda !!!!
Searle6

Oh my Lord…Tommy Christopher, whoever you are, do you actually read this is a promotion? He’s being canned from anchoring on the domestic CNN. Maybe you should stick to your little political commentaries. Good grief!!
The Real Royal Emperor

Congratulations, Ali. This will be a great addition to CNN-I business coverage. Cavuto is down at Hooter’s weeping into his domestic lite beer.
Karl Johnson

Have you ever watched “World Business Today”? It’s an hour long show in the middle of the morning with anchors in three different cities (London, Hong Kong and NY) who have about 15 minutes each (excluding commercials) to talk about business in their regions and that’s it. It’s not a promotion. I guess he’ll be taking Maggie Lake’s NY post.

That, unless he’s joining “World Business Today: First Edition” , which airs at 4am ET and is currently hosted from two cities: London and Hong Kong and is simulcast on Domestic. If Ali Velshi gets that overnight slot, it’ll be more of a joke. How the mighty have fallen.

Meanwhile, CNNI is launching another new hour long business show with a single anchor from the UAE named “Global Exchange”. If Ali were to get some sort of simulated promotion, he would be getting his own hour long show, probably in primetime when CNNI just simulcasts most of the hideous CNN Domestic shows.
Searle6

Thank you. Yes. Altho they’ve dicked him around forcing him to move back and forth, so the guy gets a little sympathy.
Anonymous

Ali is absolutely the best. And the most intelligent too. ( replace Joe Scarborogh)
Anonymous

The real news is hidden in this story; it’s that CNN has viewers. I’ll bet all six of them are thrilled at this decision!

Everytime I see this guy, I want to buy new tires for my car!
Anonymous

Nearly unknown pundit conquers the world on network nobody watches!
Anonymous

So as a promotion, Ali is being sent to CNN International, with its weird looking anchors, dumpy sets and grainy low-definition signal? Doesn’t sound like much of a promotion to me. He should ask Natalie Allen if CNNi is a step up from CNN US dayside.