CNN announced the launch of CNN Aerial Imagery and Reporting (CNN AIR), a new drone operated news-reporting service.
According to the CNN Air announcement, “For the first time in the company’s history, CNN will have a designated Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) unit with two full-time UAS operators to fully integrate aerial imagery and reporting across all CNN networks and platforms, along with Turner Broadcasting and Time Warner entities.”
Terence Burke, Senior Vice President of National News for CNN said:
“We are proud to continue the tradition with CNN AIR, and to establish a unit that will expand our technological capabilities for newsgathering. CNN’s cutting-edge development of technology to enhance the way we tell stories is a part of our DNA.”
CNN has been a leader in integrating this new technology into its operations, forming the first media-related research partnership with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and entering into a direct research agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
There is a small problem, however.
The domain CNNAir.com has been registered by someone in China last year, according to WHOIS info from DomainTools.
Did they have some inside information about the upcoming drone service by CNN?
There is a chance that the domain will be challenged via a UDRP, as “CNN” is a famous trademark, but why announce a new brand when the .com is already taken?
CNN.
