By Samantha Stone

On Dec. 11, “Amanpour,” an award-winning flagship global affairs program hosted by URI alumna Christiane Amanapour, aired for the first time on PBS stations from 11 to 11:30 p.m. The program will also continue to air weekdays at 2 and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on CNN International. Amanpour will fill the recently-canceled slot of the “Charlie Rose” program. PBS plans to eventually extend the time slot to the full hour by adding another public affairs program.

Christiane Amanpour graduated summa cum laude in 1983 from the University of Rhode Island’s journalism program in the Harrington School of Communication and Media. Shortly after graduation, she accepted an entry-level position as assistant of the international assignment desk at CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta. Amanpour has earned every major television journalism award including News and Documentary Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, George Polk Awards, DuPont-Columbia Awards, and the Courage in Journalism Award. She is now CNN’s Chief International Correspondent and host of the global affairs program, “Amanpour.”