The Best TV Shows on CNN

Every CNN Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Our curated list, current as of July 2025, showcases over 20 of CNN’s highest-rated series. A broadcaster of distinction, CNN has aired more than 20 shows between 1985 and 2024. Larry King Live and Cold War represent the pinnacle of CNN’s programming, launching in 1985 and 1998.

  • Race for the White House
    Race for the White House (2016)7.8

    From executive producers Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti, CNN Original Series "Race for the White House" captures the drama of how a high-stakes presidential election can turn on a single issue and so much more.

  • The Eighties
    The Eighties (2016)7.6

    The third installment from executive producers Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog, following in the footsteps of critically-acclaimed series THE SIXTIES and THE SEVENTIES, tackles 10 years shaped by exceptionalism and excess. Like its predecessors, THE EIGHTIES intersperses rare archival newsreel footage, interviews, and comments by historians, journalists, politicians, celebrities and others, painting a perspective-rich picture of a vibrant decade. Episodes examine the age of Reagan, the AIDS crisis, the end of the Cold War, Wall Street corruption, the evolving TV and music scene, and everything in between.

  • 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.

  • The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty
    The Windsors: Inside the Royal Dynasty (2020)7.2

    From the producers of "The Kennedys," this six-part miniseries tells the incredible, dramatic and emotional tale of the British Royal Family known as The Windsors. Using stunning archive and interviews with insiders and experts, the series weaves together the true story of the Windsor dynasty.

  • This Is Life with Lisa Ling
    This Is Life with Lisa Ling (2014)6.9

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

  • The Nineties
    The Nineties (2017)6.8

    Hit rewind and explore the most iconic moments and influential people of The Nineties, the decade that gave us the Internet, DVDs, and other cultural and political milestones.

  • Cold War
    Cold War (1998)6.7

    A 24-part series which deals with the relations between the United States, the Soviet Union and their respective allies between the end of World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

  • The History of Comedy
    The History of Comedy (2017)6.6

    Explore what makes us laugh, why, and how that's influenced our social and political landscape throughout history.

  • 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.

  • Real Time with Bill Maher
    Real Time with Bill Maher (2003)6.0

    Each week Bill Maher surrounds himself with a panel of guests which include politicians, actors, comedians, musicians and the like to discuss what's going on in the world.

  • 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.

  • Have I Got News for You
    Have I Got News for You (2024)5.5

    Host Roy Wood Jr. and team captains Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian Black serve up a smart take on the news of the week and guide guests through comic games and panels that test their knowledge of current events.

  • 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.

  • CNN This Morning
    CNN This Morning (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.

  • 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.

  • John King, USA
    John King, USA (2010)N/A

    John King, USA is an hour-long television news show hosted by John King on CNN. The show debuted on March 22, 2010, airing at 6:00PM ET, originally at 7:00PM ET until Erin Burnett OutFront replaced the original time slot on October 3, 2011. The final broadcast aired on June 29, 2012. A third hour of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer took over the time slot.