Wolf Blitzer Celebrates 5 years in The Situation Room

Five years ago today “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer went on the air — the once three-hour, afternoon newscast with its wall of video monitors (not always color-corrected), was revolutionary at the time.

“When our Washington bureau chief David Bohrman first told me about his idea for a show that would have me standing in front of a wall for hours, I thought he was crazy,” Blitzer tells TVNewser.

And for the last five years, Blitzer has covered hurricanes, earthquakes, elections and more … while standing at those monitors. He sits during commercial breaks, which we saw during a set visit last year.

The show was shortened to two hours (5-7pmET) earlier this year with the expansion of Rick’s List. CNN calls The Situation Room a “command center for breaking news, politics and extraordinary reports from around the world.”

“It only took a few shows to see how our format gave viewers a window to world news in a way never before accomplished on television,” Blitzer tells us, adding, “I am proud of that innovation and look forward to continuing to break the mold in years to come.”

• Earlier on TVNewser: 20 Years at CNN for Wolf Blitzer

• Related: The Baltimore Sun – As change sweeps CNN, Wolf Blitzer stays steady

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