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The Best TV Shows on CNN

Every CNN Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Showcasing over 20 shows from 1980 up until N/A, CNN stands as a beacon of television excellence. Among CNN’s finest offerings are CNN Special Report and Larry King Live, which debuted in 1980 and 1985, respectively. Stay up-to-date with over 20 of CNN’s elite series, with our list refreshed for April 2025.

  • CNN Special Investigations Unit
    CNN Special Investigations Unit (2007)8.0

    CNN Special Investigations Unit is an American investigative documentary program on CNN weekends. Expanding upon CNN Presents, SIU focuses on each episode being an in depth investigative report about news stories being covered, commonly featuring a number of interviews with experts on the issue and people who have witnessed the story taking place. The reports are commonly long-form, allowing for the network to cover more information and perspectives than would be available during a 5-minute report on another CNN program, such as CNN Newsroom. Compared to Presents, the show has taken a slightly larger point of the reporting being done by CNN reporters, the first commercials promoting the program largely showing pictures of anchors and reporters on locations, asking questions to people on the locations. In addition, the look and feel of the show has changed somewhat drastically, adding more emphasis on the graphics used to present the program itself, in addition to the stories being covered. In addition, presentations on SIU are shorter in length than on Presents, which is now used as a special event for larger special reports that take place on a long-term basis. Since the program's introduction, the network has slowly shifted towards relabeling past Presents presentations into SIU formatted ones, changing the graphics to reflect the new general label given to long-form reporting done by the network.

  • Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
    Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013)7.6

    Bourdain travels across the globe to uncover little-known areas of the world and celebrate diverse cultures by exploring food and dining rituals. Known for his curiosity, candor, and acerbic wit, Bourdain takes viewers off the beaten path of tourist destinations – including some war-torn parts of the world – and meets with a variety of local citizens to offer a window into their lifestyles, and occasionally communes with an internationally lauded chef on his journeys.

  • How It Really Happened
    How It Really Happened (2017)7.2

    Jesse L. Martin takes an in-depth look at some of the most notorious crimes, mysteries, trials and celebrity tragedies of our time.

  • This Is Life with Lisa Ling
    This Is Life with Lisa Ling (2014)6.8

    Lisa Ling's investigative documentary series goes behind the scenes to discover the secret societies within the American society.

  • CNN Special Report
    CNN Special Report (1980)6.7

    In hour-long, in-depth explorations, CNN hosts examine extraordinary individuals, unexpected events and controversial subjects through interviews, stories, images and videos.

  • The 2010s
    The 2010s (2023)6.3

    Audiences are invited to look back at The 2010s, a turbulent era marked by political and social upheaval, culminating in the single most dramatic year of the 21st century: 2020. It was a decade in which social media transformed society and streaming upended entertainment, resulting in genre-defying music and ushering in the era of "peak TV".

  • United Shades of America
    United Shades of America (2016)6.2

    Follow comedian and political gadfly W. Kamau Bell as he explores the far corners of our country and its various groups and subcultures.

  • Inside Politics
    Inside Politics (2021)6.0

    Anchored by CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash 'Inside Politics' features the top political stories sourced by the best reporters.

  • CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip
    CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (N/A)6.0

    NewsNight with Aaron Brown was a live international news broadcast, which appeared on the CNN network from 2001 to 2005. It aired at 10 p.m. ET on weeknights, hosted by Aaron Brown. In its final year, it was co-hosted by Anderson Cooper.

  • The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper
    The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper (2023)5.5

    A collection of unique and immersive single subject, one-hour episodes from CNN’s longform storytelling team. The recurring weekly series showcases character-driven stories, special interviews, profiles, and investigative deep dives featuring reporting from CNN’s anchors and correspondents.

  • First Ladies
    First Ladies (2020)5.3

    Blending in-depth interviews, rare archival footage, and cinematic recreations, this docuseries on the lives of America's most iconic First Ladies is a bold revision of each woman's traditional portrayal, revealing how they were impacted during their time in the White House, and how their achievements fundamentally shaped American and global history.

  • Anderson Cooper 360°
    Anderson Cooper 360° (2003)5.1

    Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news.

  • At This Hour with Kate Bolduan
    At This Hour with Kate Bolduan (2014)5.0

    Weekday news and discussion airing at 11am Eastern.

  • Larry King Live
    Larry King Live (1985)4.8

    Larry King Live is an American talk show that was hosted by Larry King on CNN from 1985 to 2010. It was CNN's most watched and longest-running program, with over one million viewers nightly.

  • Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?
    Who's Talking to Chris Wallace? (2022)3.7

    CNN anchor Chris Wallace, one of the most highly-respected journalists of our time, moves outside of politics to explore his wide range of interests across the spectrum of news, sports, entertainment, art and culture through candid conversations that are smart, sensible, and in-depth, guided by one of the best interviewers in the business. He seeks light, not heat.

  • The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
    The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (2005)3.0

    The command center for breaking news, politics and extraordinary reports from around the world. Patterned after the concept of the White House Situation Room, CNN's lead political anchor Wolf Blitzer hosts newsmakers and experts to discuss and analyze the stories that are driving today's news.

  • CNN This Morning with Audie Cornish
    CNN This Morning with Audie Cornish (2022)2.9

    Stories from across the world and refreshing conversations with Don Lemon, Poppy Harlow, and Kaitlan Collins.

  • Piers Morgan Live
    Piers Morgan Live (2011)2.8

    Piers Morgan Live is a talk show on CNN, hosted by Piers Morgan. The show premiered on January 17, 2011 and filled the former Larry King Live timeslot. The theme music is written by Anthony James, composer and CEO of British company Music Candy, and his writing partner Yiorgos Bellapaisiotis, Music Candy's Director. Piers Morgan Live is recorded primarily in CNN's studios at the Time Warner Center in New York City.

  • The Wonder List with Bill Weir
    The Wonder List with Bill Weir (2015)1.0

    Storyteller Bill Weir and renowned filmmaker Philip Bloom embarks on a quest to tell the untold stories of extraordinary people, places, cultures and creatures that are at a crossroads.

  • Mark Twain Prize
    Mark Twain Prize (1999)N/A

    Honoring the best in American comedy annually since 1998, the recipients of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor have included the likes of Billy Crystal, George Carlin, Carol Burnett, Bob Newhart, Steve Martin, Ellen DeGeneres, Eddie Murphy, and Tina Fey.