CNN's 2024 Digital Review Highlights Major Events and Audience Engagement
The digital journalism powerhouse CNN has once again captured the zeitgeist, as seen through its overview of the top 100 stories for 2024. Underlining the prowess of its engaging content, CNN attracted nearly 150 million average monthly users, reaffirming its leading presence as the largest English-language news source online.
This annual review, noted by Marcus Mabry, CNN’s senior vice president for digital editorial and programming, celebrates the extraordinary journalism provided by the network. "Once again, you rewarded CNN’s extraordinary journalism with the largest English-language news audience anywhere on the internet — nearly 150 million users on average each month," said Mabry.
Among the highlights, the Election Night live story emerged as the most-read piece, with over 48 million users tuning in as history unfolded on November 6, 2024. Chartbeat, the analytics firm, confirmed CNN’s influence, stating, "For the third consecutive year, CNN had the most entries on the analytics company’s roundup of the 100 most engaging stories of 2024," marking CNN not only as the leader but this year with the coveted spot of both the most entries and the No. 1 story.
Remarkably, the narrative throughout 2024 centered significantly on former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. This dynamic dominated media discourse and shaped the national conversation, showcasing the polarized nature of American politics. Mabry noted, "CNN’s journalism was also evident through the debate we hosted between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, alongside our investigative reporting of former North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson," demonstrating the network's commitment to covering pivotal events with depth and accountability.
2024 was not short on extraordinary events either. Trump’s campaign was overshadowed by several significant incidents, including multiple assassination attempts on the former president, with the first occurring just months before the elections. Alongside political drama, the year saw tragic events like school shootings and natural disasters, including Hurricane Milton's devastation across Florida on October 9, 2024.
The emotional weight of these headlines often resonates with audiences, as the discussions surrounding school safety and weather emergencies were not just headlines but also reflective of broader societal concerns. Through informative reporting, CNN aimed not just to inform but also to engage audiences by shedding light on the personal stories behind these tragedies and triumphs.
Outside of the political sphere, CNN’s coverage also delved deep within myriad human-interest stories. From scientific breakthroughs to explorations of unexpected travel tales, the network showcased knowledge and curiosity through engaging narratives. Mabry remarked, "All the enquanto offered more news you can use than, well, you could use: don’t sit on the toilet for more than 10 minutes, doctors warn,' highlighting the lighter yet informative queries audiences might ponder.
That said, the approaching new year appears poised with opportunity as CNN gears up for 2025. With their successful track record, the network plans to continue innovatively utilizing diverse formats, including video, audio, and text, to reach global audiences. The anticipation is palpable, as newsrooms prepare for another year of unprecedented stories. Mabry concluded, "We will see you right here in 2025, on platforms and in various formats — including video, audio, and text — around the world.”
CNN's exploration of the year’s most engaging stories not only reflects past achievements but also sets the tone for what lies ahead, solidifying its mission to keep audiences informed and engaged as we navigate the uncertainties of the future.