CNN denies reports it 'accidentally' aired transsexual porn on Thanksgiving

CNN have denied reports that their Boston cable network aired 30 minutes of transexual pornography, giving viewers in the US more than the bargained for on Thanksgiving.

Cable network station RCN, who operates on the east coast, allegedly had hardcore porn airing on the CNN channel at around 11 pm ET Thursday instead of a culinary travelogue series.

They were slated to air a rerun of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" but it is alleged that extremely graphic images of porn star Riley Quinn appeared on the screen instead.

CNN initially issued a statement pegging the cable network as the culprit and asking for “an explanation,” but two hours later reversed its position.

“Despite media reports to the contrary, RCN assures us that there was no interruption of CNN’s programming in the Boston area last night,” CNN said in a statement to Variety.

Online user Solikearose tweeted a photo claiming the porn appeared to be coming through just like any other program, despite the fact that the on-screen guide said she was watching CNN.

The user has since deleted her Twitter account claiming she has received inappropriate messages and pictures.

Quinn, the porn star who allegedly featured in the viewer's photos, also jumped on the social media band wagon to thank CNN "for the free airtime" on Twitter.

CNN have denied the reports and claimed their initial statement was misinterpreted as a factual assessment of what transpired and have since released further comment on the matter.

“Despite media reports to the contrary, RCN assures us that there was no interruption of CNN’s programming in the Boston area last night,” CNN said.

“Regarding the reported incident involving CNN in Boston, RCN has no evidence this occurrence took place on the CNN feed," Jeff Carlson, senior VP and general manager of RCN Boston, said in a follow-up statement.

"We have not had any other reports of this incident other than this single customer’s tweet.

"Our review of network operations and our call center phone logs during the last evening show no indications that this event occurred on the CNN feed.

"Only a technical review of the individual’s equipment involved could possibly ascertain how this might have occurred. We’ve confirmed that this one customer’s account is in proper working order.”

Earlier reports suggested the alleged incident spread amid concerns over the “fake news” phenomenon, prompted by misinformation spread on social media before the presidential election.

RCN has almost 300,000 subscribers in the Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, areas, New York Post reported.