David Bohrman, a longtime executive and producer for CNN, has died at 69.
According to CNN, Bohrman, who joined the network in 1998, died on Sunday following complications from hip surgery.
On Sunday, a spokesperson for the network released a statement celebrating Bohrman for his contribution.
“David was a CNN institution, a leader and innovator who mentored many through decades in television news,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added, “His impact at CNN lives on in our programming and his passion for news will be felt in our halls every day.”
TV news institution David Bohrman died today. He was a leader at CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Current TV – producing election nights, overseeing debates, pioneering new tech for news coverage, and mentoring generations of journalists. CNN's memo about his passing: pic.twitter.com/21SyKOB17E
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 26, 2023
Bohrman was also known for being the mastermind behind the “Magic Wall,” a touchscreen display that showcased “a vast array of up-to-date voting data on election night.”
CNN Washington Bureau Chief Sam Feist, who worked closely with Bohrman, called him “one of the most innovative television news producers in history.”
“It was David’s idea that election nights and newscasts could be produced with anchors standing in front of enormous video walls,” he shared. “Now, newscasts all over the world are produced this way.”
CNN’s Chief National Correspondent John King referred to him as “a risk taker who every day wanted to find a better way to tell or show the story.”
“His decision to take then just emerging touch-screen technology and integrate [it] into our 2008 election coverage was nothing short of revolutionary,” he explained.
King also credited Bohrman for helping the network become what it is today.
“David turned an old bus into a rolling television studio, bringing our political coverage into every corner of America. He made us better,” he continued.
Bohrman partnered with CBS News for the 2020 election night coverage. The network paid tribute to him on its Twitter page.
“David Bohrman’s influence was felt throughout the television industry. He was instrumental in CBS News’ 2020 Election coverage and inspired new ideas and innovations which carry on today,” the network wrote.
The post concluded, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.”
