CNN Special Investigations Unit

2007·Show
53Episodes in7Seasons

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

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CNN Special Investigations Unit fingerprint

Strong craft, emotionally cool.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace4
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Pathos3
  • Melancholy3
  • Hopefulness3

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Situational Comedy0
  • Physical Comedy0

World

Everyday modern life, society, and mystery

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability4

Craft

Standout storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Narrative Structure8
  • Complexity8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Sound Centrality6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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.
Investigative JournalismCurrent AffairsDocumentary SeriesNews AnalysisIn-Depth ReportingReal-World IssuesSocial CritiqueEducational ContentFact-BasedGlobal Scope

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about CNN Special Investigations Unit

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream CNN Special Investigations Unit legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for CNN Special Investigations Unit in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is CNN Special Investigations Unit worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100. The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is CNN Special Investigations Unit rated?

Disturbing imagery

Content advisories: disturbing imagery.

How many seasons does CNN Special Investigations Unit have?

7 seasons

It has 7 seasons with 53 episodes.

When did CNN Special Investigations Unit air?

It ran from 2007 to 2010 and has ended.

What language is CNN Special Investigations Unit in?

English

It was made in English.

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