In the decades before 24-hour news networks such as CNN began to exist , programming interruptions were restricted to extremely urgent news , such as the death of an important political figure . For example , one of the earliest such interruptions that modern viewers would recognize as " breaking news " coverage was for the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963 , ( with CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite 's coverage being especially noted ) , and as such reflected the relatively crude technology and procedures of that era . Such breaks are now common at 24-hour news channels , which may have an anchor available for live interruption at any time . Some networks , such as Sky News , largely emphasize this , even advertising the station/network as being " '' first for breaking news '' "
assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Breaking news