The Best TV Shows on CNN+

Every CNN+ Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Notable series such as CNN Special Report and Reliable Sources from CNN+ first graced the screens in 1980 and 1992. Stay up-to-date with over 20 of CNN+’s elite series, with our list refreshed for August 2026. CNN+ has over 20 shows broadcast from as early as 1980 and as recent as N/A.

  • Reliable Sources
    Reliable Sources (1992)8.0

  • Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
    Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013)7.7

    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.

  • The Seventies
    The Seventies (2015)7.4

    A documentary series focusing on the ongoing Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, evolving music industry, the Iran Hostage Crisis, the sexual revolution, and the rise of foreign and domestic terrorism.

  • 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)6.9

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

  • The Nineties
    The Nineties (2017)6.9

    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.

  • Mark Twain Prize
    Mark Twain Prize (1999)6.8

    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.

  • 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 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.

  • Fareed Zakaria GPS
    Fareed Zakaria GPS (2008)6.0

    A weekly public affairs show. "GPS" stands for "Global Public Square," a reference to the show's focus on international issues and foreign affairs.

  • Have I Got News for You
    Have I Got News for You (2024)6.0

    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)5.4

    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.

  • CNN Presents
    CNN Presents (N/A)5.0

    CNN Presents is an American documentary program on CNN weekends. The program used to be replaced with CNN Special Investigations Unit, which features the same documentary format, but differs from it in a number of ways and is shorter in length. The program was originally a regular weekly series that looks in-depth in the important news stories of the times. More recently, it became a "special event" documentary that airs every time a larger, more long-term special report went into making. Notably, the program has been a winner of a number of different awards, including the International Documentary Association Best Documentary Series award. Previous to his departure from CNN, Presents was hosted and narrated by Aaron Brown. While CNN Presents was broadcast on the network, a specialized CNN Presents logo was shown in the corner without the news ticker on the screen. CNN Presents has been revived since its presentation of God's Warriors by Christiane Amanpour in August 2007, and later with Planet in Peril, Black in America, and Latino in America, all of which have received follow-up documentaries later on. In July 2011, the format of CNN Presents changed to a series of three investigative reports aired together in a one hour documentary, instead of a documentary about a single topic.

  • The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
    The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (2005)3.8

    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.

  • 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.

  • State of the Union
    State of the Union (2009)N/A

    State of the Union is a Sunday talk show hosted by Candy Crowley on CNN and broadcast around the world by CNN International.

  • CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt
    CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (2012)N/A

    Early Start is a morning television show on CNN anchored by John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin. It premiered on January 2, 2012 and airs weekdays from 4:00-6:00 a.m. ET. The program originally aired only on weekday mornings for its first two months; a one-hour weekend edition of the program debuted on March 10, 2012, hosted by Randi Kaye, but the weekend edition is now replaced by New Day Weekend. Along with Starting Point, Early Start replaced American Morning, which aired from 2001 to 2011. Ashleigh Banfield who co-anchored with Sambolin until July 13, 2012 has since moved to the 11am hour of CNN Newsroom.

  • CNN This Morning
    CNN This Morning (2013)N/A

    New Day is a weekday morning television show on CNN anchored by Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan, and Michaela Pereira. It premiered on June 17, 2013 and airs from 6:00-9:00 a.m. ET, originating from CNN's Time Warner Center studios in New York City. New Day replaced Starting Point, formerly anchored by Soledad O'Brien, which had aired since January 2, 2012. Cuomo joined CNN from ABC News in January 2013. Bolduan previously served as a congressional correspondent for CNN's Washington bureau and frequently co-anchored The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Pereira joined CNN from Los Angeles' KTLA in May 2013. Former Good Morning America and CBS Evening News executive producer Jim Murphy is senior executive producer. Matt Frucci is executive producer. With the creation of New Day, Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin is reduced to one hour from 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM ET.

  • The Source with Kaitlan Collins
    The Source with Kaitlan Collins (2022)N/A

    Get a fresh take on politics with Kasie Hunt, as she travels around the nation’s capital to dissect the power structures behind policies impacting communities across the country. Join Hunt for exclusive, illuminating interviews, in-depth analysis and straightforward insights for both seasoned news junkies and political novices.