Turner adds ticker to satisfy viewers.(Turner Broadcasting System Inc.'s financial news cable TV network CNNfn adds stock market ticker on bottom of screen)(Brief Article)

Broadcasting & Cable, August, 1996 by Brown, Rich

In an about-face, fledgling Turner business network CNNfn has decided to add a stock ticker across the bottom of the screen. Network chief Lou Dobbs had long resisted the move, arguing that tickers provide delayed information that is "not of use in this day and age." Dobbs said last November that the absence of a ticker would help differentiate the service from established competitor CNBC.

A CNBC spokesperson responded last week: "Putting a ticker up on the screen won't bring the business news networks vying for second place more viewers, but we're flattered CNNfn wants to look more like us." A CNNfn spokesperson told BROADCASTING & CABLE last week that the decision to add the ticket was based on viewer feedback. --RB