The end of the world seems so far away, but who knows, for how long? CNN's founder Ted Turner wanted to be prepared for apocalypse now, whenever that "now" occurs.
When Cable News Network was first launched thirty four years ago, founder Ted Turner had announced his decision that the 24x7 operation would not sign off until the last possible moment. There have been rumours about Turner actually holding on a special footage that would be shown on the network just before earth succumbs to whatever will end it.
However, even amid speculations of the existence of such a clip, Turner's words were discredited as those thrown around in a state of passion. However, now blogger Michael Ballaban has published a video which he claims will be played by CNN on the last day of earth as we know it. On the Jalopnik blog, he reveals that the clip titled "TURNER DOOMSDAY VIDEO" lives on CNN's MIRA archive system.
The content's name and saved spot strictly suggests that the item is an artifact which can be used only in case of an emergency. Ballaban explains that the video is "in standard definition, with an aspect ratio of 4:3, perfect for the cathode-ray tube televisions of the 1980s."
"Turner Doomsday Video", which is expected to be played by the last living CNN employee just before the Earth is consumed by an apocalyptic event, would ensure that Turner's vision statement does not go to waste: "Barring satellite problems, we won't be signing off until the world ends".
"We'll be on, and we will cover the end of the world, live, and that will be our last event. We'll play the National Anthem only one time, on the first of June [the day CNN launched], and when the end of the world comes, we'll play 'Nearer My God To Thee' before we sign off" Turner said.
