From 1997 until 2005, this edition included exclusive programmes to the Asia-Pacific region such as Asia This Day, CNN This Morning (Asian edition), News Biz Today and Asia Tonight.

[1] Since mid-2003, News Biz Today and Asia Tonight (which were eventually renamed CNN Today and World News Asia respectively) were simulcast on the other editions of CNN International.

Other programming differences included airing reruns of key programmes like Amanpour and varying showtimes of weekend magazine programmes when live news is shown elsewhere to allow Asia-Pacific audiences to watch them at a similar time slots to their counterparts elsewhere.

In mid-2013, CNNI Asia-Pacific introduced a 16:9 HD version of its feed on selected pay-TV operators.

CNN has reported that their broadcast agreement in mainland China includes an arrangement that their signal must pass through a Chinese-controlled satellite.