Leaked: CNN’s ‘Doomsday Video’ That The Network Had Readied In 1980, Just In Case [Video]

CNN’s Ted Turner had prepared a video way back in 1980 to be broadcasted in case the apocalypse happened. Though the video is a well-known open secret, it has been “released” for the first time. A former intern of the 24-hour news network on Monday leaked a long-rumored “doomsday video” that CNN founder Ted Turner had ready to air, just in case.

Affirming to their commitment that CNN will have the news, no matter what happens; the network had kept a video ready just in case the end of the world was an immediate reality. Clearly, CNN always considered itself ready for the apocalypse, whenever it would occur.

As is always the case, CNN representatives have chosen to remain tight-lipped and haven’t confirmed neither denied the video’s authenticity. However, the video is an all-too-literal illustration of a vow Ted Turner made on the night CNN debuted in June 1980 as the first 24-hour news station,

“We won’t be signing off until the world ends. We’ll be on, we’ll be covering it live, and that will be our last, last event.”

Turner promised the network would play the Christian hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” which an orchestra supposedly played as the Titanic sank, before signing off for the rest of eternity. The same can be seen and heard belted out by a full-blown brass band, standing in attention, in front of an as-yet unidentified building which seems to have some sort of decorative pond. The video, which doesn’t have any voiceovers or graphics connecting the clip to CNN, plays for a minute, before the screen fades to black.

Journalist Michael Ballaban, who was once an intern at CNN wrote in his post on Jalopnik revealing the video. Speaking about the vide, he said.

“People thought he was joking. We have proof that he wasn’t.”

Ballaban shared he discovered the doomsday dispatch while interning for “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” in 2009. Apparently, he didn’t have to dig a lot to get to the video. It was simply labeled “TURNER DOOMSDAY VIDEO,” with a note: “HFR (Hold For Release) till end of the world confirmed.” This clearly indicates CNN still waited to verify facts before reporting them, even if it meant the world was about to end.

Surprisingly, many claim the video has been aired on multiple occasions as a sign-off tape in the dead of the night. Only now has it been revealed that it was a sign-off for forever.

[Image Credit | Michael Ballaban/Jalopnik]