China Global Television Network (CGTN) is merging its TV and digital teams like never before. On Tuesday, it launched a state-of-the-art news center, with an aim to enhance the network's strong broadcasting legacy while also focusing on a digital future for new generations of users.

CGTN News Center has a multi-format news gathering system, a resource sharing platform, and multi-channel and multi-device distribution. The latest effort merges CGTN's broadcast and digital teams, allowing them to quickly and easily share information and tailor products for CGTN's all-media platforms. 

"The launch of CGTN News Center marks the beginning of China's merging of different types of media on an international front. It truly combines the advantages of new and traditional media together," said Nie Chenxi, Minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and President of the China Central Television (CCTV).

Take live streaming for example. With just a mobile phone, a CGTN reporter is now able to live broadcast anything from anywhere at any time... simultaneously on TV screens, mobile apps, and social networking sites.

Guo Ke, Dean of the School of Journalism at Shanghai International Studies University said, "In terms of the convergence of global media on digital technology and contents production, I think CGTN is really taking the lead, not only in China but also in the world."

Using its self-designed cloud computing technology, the news center can monitor information from nearly 26,000 sources – including newscasters, websites and digital outlets – from all over the world. It can also collect live feeds from multiple sources, including user-generated content (UGC) and professionally-generated content (PGC). 

The system provides CGTN reporters, editors and correspondents with access to shared pools of news resources, allowing information to be easily produced and published on television, web and mobile platforms. The new computer system streamlines the work enabling CGTN staff to quickly customize pieces for each platform, whether producing clips for social media, editing videos for broadcasts, choosing still images for the web, or writing stories for the mobile app.

Reporters from other news organizations say CGTN is revolutionizing the way of reporting.

"I feel more pressure after visiting this news center," Wang Kai, a China National Radio journalist told CGTN. "The merging is not just an upgrade in facilities, but a requirement to upgrade the mindset of all reporters. These days you are required to be able to report on all news platforms, instead of just calling yourself a TV reporter or a new media journalist."

CGTN's app was first launched on December 31, 2016. It now offers new features and content produced by CGTN's broadcast and digital platforms. Content will be organized into seven sections: China, International, Politics, Economy, Technology and Science, Culture, and Opinions.  

The latest upgraded version also includes:

"Original Content" – original stories from China and around the world, produced by CGTN's global team.

"Customized News" – including selected content in breaking news, updates, opinion pieces, quizzes, and video galleries. This feature relies on artificial intelligence (AI) technology that allows the customization of news topics. 

"Live broadcasts" – streaming content and delivering live news to audience anytime, anywhere.

The new app also provides online real-time translation from English to Spanish, French, Russian and Arabic.

The newly launched news center and upgraded official app mark another step forward by CGTN as it leads the trend in media convergence and re-brands its content for a global audience. 

Launched on December 31, 2016, CGTN is a multi-platform media grouping that targets international audiences, providing services in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian. CGTN is committed to reporting global news from a unique perspective to honor its official slogan "See the difference."

By the end of September 2017, CGTN's digital platforms had an active global following of 65.2 million, about 97 percent of whom are overseas.