CNN aims to return to the recipe that gave its viewers explorers of international cuisine such as Anthony Bourdain and Stanley Tucci.
After announcing in October of 2022 that the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed outlet would pull back on the efforts that made it a name in original documentary series and films — ostensibly to cut costs at a time when its corporate parent was grappling with significant debt — CNN wants to get back into the business of developing original non-fiction series and movies.
“I think we are very much in the rebuild phase,” Amy Entelis, executive vice president for talent and content, tells Variety during a recent interview.
Mark Thompson, named in August to oversee CNN following a tumultuous run under predecessor Chris Licht, has articulated a strategy of building out new areas and verticals that can help the company win more customers and viewers. Original series would seem to be one of them.
After announcing in October of 2022 that the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed outlet would pull back on the efforts that made it a name in original documentary series and films — ostensibly to cut costs at a time when its corporate parent was grappling with significant debt — CNN wants to get back into the business of developing original non-fiction series and movies.
“I think we are very much in the rebuild phase,” Amy Entelis, executive vice president for talent and content, tells Variety during a recent interview.
Mark Thompson, named in August to oversee CNN following a tumultuous run under predecessor Chris Licht, has articulated a strategy of building out new areas and verticals that can help the company win more customers and viewers. Original series would seem to be one of them.
- 5/15/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Dawn Porter’s documentary about R&b icon Luther Vandross, “Luther: Never Too Much,” has been acquired by CNN Films in partnership with the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), IndieWire can reveal exclusively.
The documentary film, which first premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, will debut in 2025 first on television on CNN and OWN before it lands on Max.
The acquisition is encouraging news for CNN Films, which back in 2022 under former boss Chris Licht scaled back on its original documentary films. The brand moved away from acquisitions or commissioning projects and opted instead for newsy, quick turnaround docs produced in-house.
But CNN Films also partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios on this fall’s release of “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” so the two acquisitions, both from this year’s Sundance, is a positive step forward for the documentary brand.
“Luther: Never Too Much” chronicles the story of a vocal virtuoso,...
The documentary film, which first premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, will debut in 2025 first on television on CNN and OWN before it lands on Max.
The acquisition is encouraging news for CNN Films, which back in 2022 under former boss Chris Licht scaled back on its original documentary films. The brand moved away from acquisitions or commissioning projects and opted instead for newsy, quick turnaround docs produced in-house.
But CNN Films also partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios on this fall’s release of “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” so the two acquisitions, both from this year’s Sundance, is a positive step forward for the documentary brand.
“Luther: Never Too Much” chronicles the story of a vocal virtuoso,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
CNN is planning a return to the travel-food genre after pulling back from original series under former CEO Chris Licht.
The channel said Wednesday that it would be rebooting its Searching For franchise, with Eva Longoria set to host a new series, Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain. The new series will debut in 2025 on CNN, with Hyphenate Media Group producing the program.
“I am thrilled to be partnering once again with CNN to bring this culinary and cultural journey through Spain to life,” said Longoria in a statement. “I have always been captivated by the people, energy, and vibrant culture of Spain, and I am excited to explore my own ties to this region and share the hidden gems that have helped make it a personal favorite.”
It was Stanley Tucci who created the Searching For series with his Searching For Italy, despite winning Emmy Awards for three straight years,...
The channel said Wednesday that it would be rebooting its Searching For franchise, with Eva Longoria set to host a new series, Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain. The new series will debut in 2025 on CNN, with Hyphenate Media Group producing the program.
“I am thrilled to be partnering once again with CNN to bring this culinary and cultural journey through Spain to life,” said Longoria in a statement. “I have always been captivated by the people, energy, and vibrant culture of Spain, and I am excited to explore my own ties to this region and share the hidden gems that have helped make it a personal favorite.”
It was Stanley Tucci who created the Searching For series with his Searching For Italy, despite winning Emmy Awards for three straight years,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC News President Kim Godwin is departing the network, just three months after Debra OConnell was appointed to oversee ABC News operations and evaluate Goodwin’s performance.
Godwin stepped down on Sunday night, announcing her departure in an email to staffers which read, “I have decided to retire from broadcast journalism.”
“Anyone who’s passionate about what we do knows there’s no other business like it, so this was not an easy or quick decision,” Godwin continued. “But after considerable reflection, I’m certain it’s the right one for me as I look to the future and prioritize what’s most important for me and my family.”
“I leave with my head held high and wish the entire team continued success,” Godwin added in her memo to staff.
No successor has been named as Godwin’s replacement at this time. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Sunday.
Godwin stepped down on Sunday night, announcing her departure in an email to staffers which read, “I have decided to retire from broadcast journalism.”
“Anyone who’s passionate about what we do knows there’s no other business like it, so this was not an easy or quick decision,” Godwin continued. “But after considerable reflection, I’m certain it’s the right one for me as I look to the future and prioritize what’s most important for me and my family.”
“I leave with my head held high and wish the entire team continued success,” Godwin added in her memo to staff.
No successor has been named as Godwin’s replacement at this time. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Sunday.
- 5/6/2024
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
Poppy Harlow and CNN are parting ways after the news outlet put the veteran correspondent through a whirlwind era as one of the co-anchors of an ill-conceived morning program that was ultimately scrapped.
CNN executives “have been wonderful and have given me the space to make this decision,” Harlow said in a memo to colleagues Friday. “I am very grateful to them.”
The decision to leave was Harlow’s, according to people familiar with the matter. CNN executives had come up with a handful of ideas for a new role following the network’s decision to cancel the A.M. program she had been anchoring, most recently with Phil Mattingly. Mattingly has since been named a national correspondent. Harlow felt she wanted to take a break and survey other options that might be available to her, according to one of the people familiar with the situation.
She could probably use some time off.
CNN executives “have been wonderful and have given me the space to make this decision,” Harlow said in a memo to colleagues Friday. “I am very grateful to them.”
The decision to leave was Harlow’s, according to people familiar with the matter. CNN executives had come up with a handful of ideas for a new role following the network’s decision to cancel the A.M. program she had been anchoring, most recently with Phil Mattingly. Mattingly has since been named a national correspondent. Harlow felt she wanted to take a break and survey other options that might be available to her, according to one of the people familiar with the situation.
She could probably use some time off.
- 4/26/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
King Charles, CNN’s once-a-week talker featuring Gayle King and Charles Barkley, ended last week with no plans to extend the limited series.
The show averaged about a half-million viewers in its debut but trailed its rivals in its 10 p.m. Et time slot on Wednesdays. It was announced as a limited-run series to begin with, featuring two high-profile personalities in conversation about major events and cultural moments.
The show also was a signature feature of then-ceo Chris Licht’s plans to overhaul the network’s primetime lineup with big-name personalities hosting shows once or twice a week. Although that’s a bit unconventional for cable news, MSNBC has had success with Rachel Maddow’s show since it went to just Mondays in 2022, as she had signed a new contract for fewer days.
King Charles ultimately debuted after Licht had departed and a new CEO, Mark Thompson, had joined. He has made some programming changes,...
The show averaged about a half-million viewers in its debut but trailed its rivals in its 10 p.m. Et time slot on Wednesdays. It was announced as a limited-run series to begin with, featuring two high-profile personalities in conversation about major events and cultural moments.
The show also was a signature feature of then-ceo Chris Licht’s plans to overhaul the network’s primetime lineup with big-name personalities hosting shows once or twice a week. Although that’s a bit unconventional for cable news, MSNBC has had success with Rachel Maddow’s show since it went to just Mondays in 2022, as she had signed a new contract for fewer days.
King Charles ultimately debuted after Licht had departed and a new CEO, Mark Thompson, had joined. He has made some programming changes,...
- 4/15/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The reign of King Charles on CNN has officially ended.
The CNN limited series televised its final episode last week, with co-hosts Charles Barkley and Gayle King signing off with thanks for staff and compliments for each other.
“I will say this: I have loved working with you and something tells me Charles, this will not be the last time that we’re working together,” King said.
“Call me Gayle,” Barkley replied.
“We will see you the next time whenever we see you,” King told viewers. “Thanks so much for being with us for the past six months. We had a blast.”
A CNN spokesperson noted that the show was announced as a limited series, with a defined end date of spring 2024.
“King Charles has come to the end of its limited run as we announced when it launched last fall and was a great addition to CNN’s lineup,...
The CNN limited series televised its final episode last week, with co-hosts Charles Barkley and Gayle King signing off with thanks for staff and compliments for each other.
“I will say this: I have loved working with you and something tells me Charles, this will not be the last time that we’re working together,” King said.
“Call me Gayle,” Barkley replied.
“We will see you the next time whenever we see you,” King told viewers. “Thanks so much for being with us for the past six months. We had a blast.”
A CNN spokesperson noted that the show was announced as a limited series, with a defined end date of spring 2024.
“King Charles has come to the end of its limited run as we announced when it launched last fall and was a great addition to CNN’s lineup,...
- 4/15/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the basement of a car dealership in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District last spring, The Messenger chairman and CEO Jimmy Finkelstein addressed a throng of New York’s media elite. Finkelstein was there to unveil his grand plans for a new website that he claimed would revolutionize the news, talking a big game in the process.
“When I was at The Hill, we did 125 million visits a month,” he told the gathering that featured media heavyweights Barry Diller, Kara Swisher, Chris Licht and Jen Psaki. “It was the second highest political site next to CNN. That’s with 70ish journalists and maybe 90 people in the editorial. Here, we are going to have hundreds of journalists. We are not just covering politics, we are covering sports, we are covering business, we are covering entertainment. So it’s hard to imagine why we couldn’t do it.”
Sitting in the crowd watching...
“When I was at The Hill, we did 125 million visits a month,” he told the gathering that featured media heavyweights Barry Diller, Kara Swisher, Chris Licht and Jen Psaki. “It was the second highest political site next to CNN. That’s with 70ish journalists and maybe 90 people in the editorial. Here, we are going to have hundreds of journalists. We are not just covering politics, we are covering sports, we are covering business, we are covering entertainment. So it’s hard to imagine why we couldn’t do it.”
Sitting in the crowd watching...
- 2/6/2024
- by Lachlan Cartwright
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated: CNN is dropping the latest iteration of CNN This Morning as part of a shake-up of its morning lineup.
Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly have anchored the show since August, after several lineup changes since its debut in the fall of 2022. Kasie Hunt’s 5 a.m. Et show, known as Early Start, will expand an hour and take on the CNN This Morning title.
Changes will go into effect later this month.
CNN News Central, meanwhile, will move to 7 a.m. Et and run until 10 a.m. Et, with anchors John Berman, Kate Bolduan and Sara Sidner.
Jim Acosta, who has anchored a weekend show, will anchor CNN Newsroom at 10 a.m. Et and Pamela Brown will anchor an 11 a.m. Et hour starting in the spring. Wolf Blitzer will anchor the hour until she returns from maternity leave. Brown’s show will be called The Bulletin with Pamela Brown.
Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly have anchored the show since August, after several lineup changes since its debut in the fall of 2022. Kasie Hunt’s 5 a.m. Et show, known as Early Start, will expand an hour and take on the CNN This Morning title.
Changes will go into effect later this month.
CNN News Central, meanwhile, will move to 7 a.m. Et and run until 10 a.m. Et, with anchors John Berman, Kate Bolduan and Sara Sidner.
Jim Acosta, who has anchored a weekend show, will anchor CNN Newsroom at 10 a.m. Et and Pamela Brown will anchor an 11 a.m. Et hour starting in the spring. Wolf Blitzer will anchor the hour until she returns from maternity leave. Brown’s show will be called The Bulletin with Pamela Brown.
- 2/5/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN has told staff it is moving its much-hyped Chris Licht-era morning show, This Morning, from New York to its Atlanta headquarters, two people familiar with the matter have told The Hollywood Reporter.
The show’s 50-person team have been told they can reapply for jobs within the network, according to the people familiar. Phil Mattingly and Poppy Harlow will be moving to new roles, per sources.
CNN will move up its News Central show, hosted by John Berman, Sara Sidner and Kate Bolduan, to help fill the time slot. Early Start host Kasie Hunt will anchor from 5 a.m.-7 a.m. Et, News Central moves from 7 a.m.-10 a.m. and Jim Acosta signs on at 10 a.m. Et.
The network declined comment.
CNN’s new chief, Mark Thompson, sent a note to staffers, below:
Dear all,
I wanted to let the whole CNN family know...
The show’s 50-person team have been told they can reapply for jobs within the network, according to the people familiar. Phil Mattingly and Poppy Harlow will be moving to new roles, per sources.
CNN will move up its News Central show, hosted by John Berman, Sara Sidner and Kate Bolduan, to help fill the time slot. Early Start host Kasie Hunt will anchor from 5 a.m.-7 a.m. Et, News Central moves from 7 a.m.-10 a.m. and Jim Acosta signs on at 10 a.m. Et.
The network declined comment.
CNN’s new chief, Mark Thompson, sent a note to staffers, below:
Dear all,
I wanted to let the whole CNN family know...
- 2/5/2024
- by Lachlan Cartwright
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CNN is turning some of the lights out on its efforts to produce morning news.
The network is revamping its entire A.M. schedule as the Warner Bros. Discovery-based cable news outlet continues to grapple with poor ratings.
Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly, who co-anchor “CNN This Morning,” will leave the line-up, while Kasie Hunt’s early-morning program will take on an extra hour. Her show, “Early Start,” will run from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., and will take on the “CNN This Morning” title. CNN will then move “CNN News Central,” anchored by John Berman, Kate Bolduan and Sara Sidner, to a 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. slot, with Jim Acosta and Pamela Brown taking over new hours at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The moves mean, as CNN CEO Mark Thompson said in a note to staffers Monday, that “we will no longer produce morning programming in...
The network is revamping its entire A.M. schedule as the Warner Bros. Discovery-based cable news outlet continues to grapple with poor ratings.
Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly, who co-anchor “CNN This Morning,” will leave the line-up, while Kasie Hunt’s early-morning program will take on an extra hour. Her show, “Early Start,” will run from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., and will take on the “CNN This Morning” title. CNN will then move “CNN News Central,” anchored by John Berman, Kate Bolduan and Sara Sidner, to a 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. slot, with Jim Acosta and Pamela Brown taking over new hours at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The moves mean, as CNN CEO Mark Thompson said in a note to staffers Monday, that “we will no longer produce morning programming in...
- 2/5/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
E. Jean Carroll will have her first televised interview following the verdict in her latest Donald Trump trial with Rachel Maddow, MSNBC announced Friday.
The interview is set for Monday (Jan. 29) during the next episode of “The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. Pacific.
MSNBC Exclusive: @Maddow will sit down with E. Jean Carroll on #Trms for her first interview since former President Trump was ordered to pay more than $83M in damages for defaming her.
Tune in on Monday at 9pm Et on @MSNBC.
— MSNBC Public Relations (@Msnbcpr) January 27, 2024
On Friday, following a contentious trial in which the disgraced former president often acted with blatant contempt of court, Trump was order to pay Caroll $83.3 million in damages for defaming her. The judgement stemmed from comments Trump made in May, during the ill-advised CNN townhall in May, 2023, that ultimately got the network’s president Chris Licht fired.
The interview is set for Monday (Jan. 29) during the next episode of “The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. Pacific.
MSNBC Exclusive: @Maddow will sit down with E. Jean Carroll on #Trms for her first interview since former President Trump was ordered to pay more than $83M in damages for defaming her.
Tune in on Monday at 9pm Et on @MSNBC.
— MSNBC Public Relations (@Msnbcpr) January 27, 2024
On Friday, following a contentious trial in which the disgraced former president often acted with blatant contempt of court, Trump was order to pay Caroll $83.3 million in damages for defaming her. The judgement stemmed from comments Trump made in May, during the ill-advised CNN townhall in May, 2023, that ultimately got the network’s president Chris Licht fired.
- 1/27/2024
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
CNN, meet Sin City.
As CNN appears poised to expand its original series offerings, the cable channel has set its next series: Vegas: The Story of Sin City.
The series will premiere Sunday, Feb. 25 at 10 p.m., and will explore “the past seventy years of America’s cultural maturation through the lens of this unique city, featuring the entertainment acts, the visionary entrepreneurs, the infamous mafia figures, and the colorful political history that put it on the map,” per CNN.
That will include interviews with Vegas icons like Wayne Newton and Paul Anka, as well as journalists, showgirls, and historians. The series is produced for CNN by Bungalow Media+ Entertainment.
“Vegas is another of our acclaimed CNN Original Series that brings new life and color to major stories and events in our collective history,” said Amy Entelis, executive VP of talent for CNN Originals, and creative development for CNN Worldwide.
As CNN appears poised to expand its original series offerings, the cable channel has set its next series: Vegas: The Story of Sin City.
The series will premiere Sunday, Feb. 25 at 10 p.m., and will explore “the past seventy years of America’s cultural maturation through the lens of this unique city, featuring the entertainment acts, the visionary entrepreneurs, the infamous mafia figures, and the colorful political history that put it on the map,” per CNN.
That will include interviews with Vegas icons like Wayne Newton and Paul Anka, as well as journalists, showgirls, and historians. The series is produced for CNN by Bungalow Media+ Entertainment.
“Vegas is another of our acclaimed CNN Original Series that brings new life and color to major stories and events in our collective history,” said Amy Entelis, executive VP of talent for CNN Originals, and creative development for CNN Worldwide.
- 1/25/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CNN’s CEO Mark Thompson laid out a strategy for the news organization, focusing on integrating linear TV and digital news units, and boosting its presence and innovation on smart phones and other mobile devices.
In a memo to employees sent today (read it below), Thompson called his plans a “true multimedia strategy,” including the combination of the leadership of the international, domestic and digital news operations.
Virginia Moseley has been named to a new role as executive editor of CNN and Mike McCarthy, who had been general manager of CNN International, will be managing editor. “As far as possible we want single integrated teams to cover stories for all platforms,” he wrote.
Thompson also announced the hiring of Alex MacCallum as the new executive vice president of digital products and services, tasked with developing new digital products and “the subscription and other relationships with users that will make CNN once again indispensable to younger,...
In a memo to employees sent today (read it below), Thompson called his plans a “true multimedia strategy,” including the combination of the leadership of the international, domestic and digital news operations.
Virginia Moseley has been named to a new role as executive editor of CNN and Mike McCarthy, who had been general manager of CNN International, will be managing editor. “As far as possible we want single integrated teams to cover stories for all platforms,” he wrote.
Thompson also announced the hiring of Alex MacCallum as the new executive vice president of digital products and services, tasked with developing new digital products and “the subscription and other relationships with users that will make CNN once again indispensable to younger,...
- 1/17/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Former CNN personality Don Lemon is returning to broadcasting via the website formerly known as Twitter.
Lemon announced Tuesday that he has partnered with X for a new streaming series, aptly titled The Don Lemon Show.
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“I’ve heard you… and today I am back, bigger, bolder, freer!” Lemon wrote on Elon Musk’s social media platform. “My new media company’s first project is The Don Lemon Show. It will be available to everyone,...
Lemon announced Tuesday that he has partnered with X for a new streaming series, aptly titled The Don Lemon Show.
More from TVLineTucker Carlson to Launch Own Streaming NetworkFox News Schedules Trump Town Hall Opposite CNN’s DeSantis vs. Haley DebateCNN's Sara Sidner Reveals Stage 3 Breast Cancer Diagnosis on Air
“I’ve heard you… and today I am back, bigger, bolder, freer!” Lemon wrote on Elon Musk’s social media platform. “My new media company’s first project is The Don Lemon Show. It will be available to everyone,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Don Lemon appears to have a sweet new deal with social-media giant X.
The former CNN anchor, who parted ways with the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news outlet last year after he was moved to duties on its morning program, said Tuesday that he had launched a new media company and would be debuting a new program via X.
The new program, “The Don Lemon Show,” will allow him to be “bigger, bolder, freer,” Lemon said in a posting. The show “will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where conversations are happening. And you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free speech in the world. I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning so stay tuned.”
“Don’s new company...
The former CNN anchor, who parted ways with the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news outlet last year after he was moved to duties on its morning program, said Tuesday that he had launched a new media company and would be debuting a new program via X.
The new program, “The Don Lemon Show,” will allow him to be “bigger, bolder, freer,” Lemon said in a posting. The show “will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where conversations are happening. And you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free speech in the world. I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning so stay tuned.”
“Don’s new company...
- 1/9/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Don Lemon is returning to the media landscape, with a new media company and show on X. Lemon announced the news on X (fka Twitter) Tuesday morning
“I’ve heard you …and I am back, bigger, bolder, freer!,” he wrote. “My new media company’s first project is The Don Lemon Show. It will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where the conversations are happening. And you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free space in the world. I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning so stay tuned.”
The move comes nine months after Lemon was let go from CNN after a divisive several months and 17 years with the network as one of its most recognizable stars.
Lemon also...
“I’ve heard you …and I am back, bigger, bolder, freer!,” he wrote. “My new media company’s first project is The Don Lemon Show. It will be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where the conversations are happening. And you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free space in the world. I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning so stay tuned.”
The move comes nine months after Lemon was let go from CNN after a divisive several months and 17 years with the network as one of its most recognizable stars.
Lemon also...
- 1/9/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN has named Kyung Lah as a senior investigative correspondent, joining the news network’s investigative team, while Ryan Young becomes a senior national correspondent, based in Atlanta.
Lah had covered the 2024 presidential campaign, including disinformation around the results of the 2020 presidential election and the state-level efforts to authorize the election results. Born in South Korea and raised in the U.S., Lah earned Walter Cronkite Awards for excellence in TV political journalism in 2023.
Earlier, she served as the Tokyo correspondent for CNN, covering the devastating 2011 earthquake in Japan and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima. Lah, now based in Los Angeles, also reported extensively across East Asia, interviewing political leaders in the region.
And she served as a national correspondent for CNN Newsource, based out of Washington, DC. Young, already based in Atlanta, is a veteran of law enforcement coverage across the U.S. Recently, he reported from Nashville as...
Lah had covered the 2024 presidential campaign, including disinformation around the results of the 2020 presidential election and the state-level efforts to authorize the election results. Born in South Korea and raised in the U.S., Lah earned Walter Cronkite Awards for excellence in TV political journalism in 2023.
Earlier, she served as the Tokyo correspondent for CNN, covering the devastating 2011 earthquake in Japan and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima. Lah, now based in Los Angeles, also reported extensively across East Asia, interviewing political leaders in the region.
And she served as a national correspondent for CNN Newsource, based out of Washington, DC. Young, already based in Atlanta, is a veteran of law enforcement coverage across the U.S. Recently, he reported from Nashville as...
- 1/8/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Athan Stephanopoulos is stepping down as EVP and Chief Digital Officer of CNN, as CEO Mark Thompson focuses on a new structure for the network.
Stephanopoulos joined the network in fall 2022 under then-ceo Chris Licht.
In a statement sent to employees, Stephanopoulos said: “In my discussions with Mark since his arrival, there was much we agreed on, in particular that innovative high quality digital news services would be increasingly important for CNN’s future success. But it also became clear that Mark had his own vision of how he wanted digital operations to be organized. In order to give him the freest hand possible to structure and shape the organization moving forward, I felt that now was the best time for me to step back from my role and move on to a new chapter.”
Related: 2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Thompson said that Stephanopoulos...
Stephanopoulos joined the network in fall 2022 under then-ceo Chris Licht.
In a statement sent to employees, Stephanopoulos said: “In my discussions with Mark since his arrival, there was much we agreed on, in particular that innovative high quality digital news services would be increasingly important for CNN’s future success. But it also became clear that Mark had his own vision of how he wanted digital operations to be organized. In order to give him the freest hand possible to structure and shape the organization moving forward, I felt that now was the best time for me to step back from my role and move on to a new chapter.”
Related: 2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Thompson said that Stephanopoulos...
- 1/3/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
New CNN CEO Mark Thompson is contemplating a new structure and vision for CNN, and that will include a rethink of the news organization’s digital strategy.
To that end, Thompson told employees Wednesday morning that CNN executive VP and chief digital officer Athan Stephanopoulos will leave the company at the end of January.
“Since his arrival, Athan has been a strong and capable leader of our digital team and a collaborative colleague across the organization,” Thompson wrote. “I know that everyone who’s worked alongside him at CNN will want to join me in thanking him for everything he’s done for us and to wish him every success in his next chapter.”
Stephanopoulos joined CNN in Oct. 2022, filling a role that had been a priority for then-ceo Chris Licht. He was previously the president of the digital news brand NowThis.
“In my discussions with Mark since his arrival,...
To that end, Thompson told employees Wednesday morning that CNN executive VP and chief digital officer Athan Stephanopoulos will leave the company at the end of January.
“Since his arrival, Athan has been a strong and capable leader of our digital team and a collaborative colleague across the organization,” Thompson wrote. “I know that everyone who’s worked alongside him at CNN will want to join me in thanking him for everything he’s done for us and to wish him every success in his next chapter.”
Stephanopoulos joined CNN in Oct. 2022, filling a role that had been a priority for then-ceo Chris Licht. He was previously the president of the digital news brand NowThis.
“In my discussions with Mark since his arrival,...
- 1/3/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Athan Stephanopoulos will leave his role as chief digital officer of CNN as the news outlet’s new chief starts to implement his strategic vision for the Warner Bros. Discovery property.
In a memo issued Wednesday, Stephanopoulos said that Mark Thompson, CNN”s new chief, “had his own vision of how he wanted digital operations to be organized. In order to give him the freest hand possible to structure and shape the organization moving forward, I felt that now was the best time for me to step back from my role and move on to a new chapter. I sincerely wish CNN and each of you great success in the path ahead.”
This marks the second turnover of digital executives at CNN since Warner Bros. Discovery took over management of the operation as part of its purchase of WarnerMedia assets from AT&T in August of 2022. In June of 2022, CNN parted...
In a memo issued Wednesday, Stephanopoulos said that Mark Thompson, CNN”s new chief, “had his own vision of how he wanted digital operations to be organized. In order to give him the freest hand possible to structure and shape the organization moving forward, I felt that now was the best time for me to step back from my role and move on to a new chapter. I sincerely wish CNN and each of you great success in the path ahead.”
This marks the second turnover of digital executives at CNN since Warner Bros. Discovery took over management of the operation as part of its purchase of WarnerMedia assets from AT&T in August of 2022. In June of 2022, CNN parted...
- 1/3/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Martha Stewart didn’t talk to CNN for a new original documentary series the news outlet has produced about her. But she’s still the star of the show.
“The Many Lives of Martha Stewart” is a four-part series produced by CNN Studios, a division devoted to longer-form and enterprise programming in the wake of a strategic decision made in 2022 to scale back big ambitions to compete in the documentary arena. Under previous leader Jeff Zucker, CNN extended its aegis to the world of film festivals and documentary series led by notables such as Anthony Bourdain, Lisa Ling and W. Kamau Bell.
A good chunk of that work was scrapped after Warner Bros. Discovery, a big player in the world of cost-conscious reality programming, took over CNN, and installed a leader, Chris Licht, who had a mandate to pare operations. Months later, CNN would win an Oscar for a documentary...
“The Many Lives of Martha Stewart” is a four-part series produced by CNN Studios, a division devoted to longer-form and enterprise programming in the wake of a strategic decision made in 2022 to scale back big ambitions to compete in the documentary arena. Under previous leader Jeff Zucker, CNN extended its aegis to the world of film festivals and documentary series led by notables such as Anthony Bourdain, Lisa Ling and W. Kamau Bell.
A good chunk of that work was scrapped after Warner Bros. Discovery, a big player in the world of cost-conscious reality programming, took over CNN, and installed a leader, Chris Licht, who had a mandate to pare operations. Months later, CNN would win an Oscar for a documentary...
- 1/3/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper rang in 2024 with some boozing on live television — bringing back alcohol consumption to CNN after staying sober for last year’s New Year’s Eve broadcast.
“It’s the top of the hour and we’ve been here for seven years doing this, and for most of those years at the top of the hour we typically have a toast,” Cohen said early on in the broadcast, turning to Cooper. “I’m hearing from a lot of people…does Daddy get his juice?”
“Can Daddy get his juice responsibly?” Cooper asked, before Cohen pulled out a bottle of tequila and shot glasses, and both imbibed to start the show.
Back in November 2022, then-ceo Chris Licht announced that CNN would be dialing down alcohol consumption for its New Year’s telecast. Regular host Cohen was quick to claim that that rule, in fact, did not apply to him as a host,...
“It’s the top of the hour and we’ve been here for seven years doing this, and for most of those years at the top of the hour we typically have a toast,” Cohen said early on in the broadcast, turning to Cooper. “I’m hearing from a lot of people…does Daddy get his juice?”
“Can Daddy get his juice responsibly?” Cooper asked, before Cohen pulled out a bottle of tequila and shot glasses, and both imbibed to start the show.
Back in November 2022, then-ceo Chris Licht announced that CNN would be dialing down alcohol consumption for its New Year’s telecast. Regular host Cohen was quick to claim that that rule, in fact, did not apply to him as a host,...
- 1/1/2024
- by Valerie Wu and William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Every year, The Streamable looks deep into our crystal ball to predict the future. We correctly predicted CNN+ would crash and burn. And we called the dip in Disney+ subscriptions and the Paramount+ price hike and inclusion of Showtime.
In 2023, the tides turned in the streaming wars. While the past 4 years have seen rapid expansion of streaming services, this year saw consolidation as the prime strategy. Where will 2024 take us? Let’s find out.
1. The Rsn Landscape Completely Unravels
This year saw an interesting number of defections from the Rsn (regional sports network) model. Teams like the Chicago Cubs, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Vegas Golden Knights launched their own streaming apps. In the case of the NBA teams, those games are now available free with an antenna.
Ratings for live games on an over-the-air broadcast outlet are often two to three times larger than what they pull on a regional sports network.
In 2023, the tides turned in the streaming wars. While the past 4 years have seen rapid expansion of streaming services, this year saw consolidation as the prime strategy. Where will 2024 take us? Let’s find out.
1. The Rsn Landscape Completely Unravels
This year saw an interesting number of defections from the Rsn (regional sports network) model. Teams like the Chicago Cubs, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Vegas Golden Knights launched their own streaming apps. In the case of the NBA teams, those games are now available free with an antenna.
Ratings for live games on an over-the-air broadcast outlet are often two to three times larger than what they pull on a regional sports network.
- 12/28/2023
- by Ben Bowman
- The Streamable
Class Superlatives Prom Queen And King Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
The most talked-about entertainer of the year and the Super Bowl-winning podcaster combined their forces — and audiences — to forge the kind of four-quadrant cultural phenomenon the industry hasn’t seen in ages. Well, except for …
Most Popular Barbenheimer
Combined global box office gross: $2.4 billion
Worst Homecoming Performance Bob Iger
He rode back into town last year like a high-eq white knight to rescue the Magic Kingdom from his flailing handpicked successor, only to be cast as one of the principal villains of the strikes and architect of Disney’s “Dewokening.”
Most Unsettling Yearbook Photo Donald Trump Fulton County Sheriffs Office Mugshot Most Invincible Marvel Villain Audiences
Tepid reviews and lackluster box office for the latest entries in the franchise — particularly November’s The Marvels — are indications that superhero fatigue is finally setting in, a threat to the Marvel Universe more destructive than Thanos.
The most talked-about entertainer of the year and the Super Bowl-winning podcaster combined their forces — and audiences — to forge the kind of four-quadrant cultural phenomenon the industry hasn’t seen in ages. Well, except for …
Most Popular Barbenheimer
Combined global box office gross: $2.4 billion
Worst Homecoming Performance Bob Iger
He rode back into town last year like a high-eq white knight to rescue the Magic Kingdom from his flailing handpicked successor, only to be cast as one of the principal villains of the strikes and architect of Disney’s “Dewokening.”
Most Unsettling Yearbook Photo Donald Trump Fulton County Sheriffs Office Mugshot Most Invincible Marvel Villain Audiences
Tepid reviews and lackluster box office for the latest entries in the franchise — particularly November’s The Marvels — are indications that superhero fatigue is finally setting in, a threat to the Marvel Universe more destructive than Thanos.
- 12/19/2023
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exactly one year after CNN canceled his popular travel food series Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, the actor will hit the Autostrade once more, this time for National Geographic.
The Disney-owned nonfiction content company has ordered a new 10-part docuseries called Tucci — The Heart of Italy. The series bears a striking similarity to his late CNN series, following Tucci “as he unlocks the distinct flavors that define each region and discovers the rich versatility of Italy through those he meets along the journey.”
Tucci’s Salt Productions and BBC Studios’ Factual Productions are producing the series for National Geographic, with production set to begin next month.
“National Geographic is all about adventure and exploration, and I am honored to take viewers once again to explore Italy through the lens of food,” said Tucci in a statement. “In Italy’s many distinct regions there is always something new to discover and...
The Disney-owned nonfiction content company has ordered a new 10-part docuseries called Tucci — The Heart of Italy. The series bears a striking similarity to his late CNN series, following Tucci “as he unlocks the distinct flavors that define each region and discovers the rich versatility of Italy through those he meets along the journey.”
Tucci’s Salt Productions and BBC Studios’ Factual Productions are producing the series for National Geographic, with production set to begin next month.
“National Geographic is all about adventure and exploration, and I am honored to take viewers once again to explore Italy through the lens of food,” said Tucci in a statement. “In Italy’s many distinct regions there is always something new to discover and...
- 12/14/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
At least one auld acquaintance won’t be present for CNN’s annual coverage of the nation’s New Year’s Eve festivities.
Sara Sidner and Cari Champion will take over the Warner Bros. Discovery network’s wee-hours broadcast on New Year’s Eve, holding forth from Austin, Texas, during a slot that for years served as a showcase for raucous antics from Don Lemon. Lemon and CNN parted ways earlier this year after management tried to move him from a prominent primetime show to the network’s morning program.
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will return as hosts of CNN’s main coverage of the evening. The broadcast will feature performances by Enrique Iglesias, Maroon 5, Jonas Brothers, Flo Rida, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker and Rod Stewart and live interviews with Patti Labelle, Jeremy Renner, Neil Patrick Harris, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers.
Will alcohol be served? Imbibing has been...
Sara Sidner and Cari Champion will take over the Warner Bros. Discovery network’s wee-hours broadcast on New Year’s Eve, holding forth from Austin, Texas, during a slot that for years served as a showcase for raucous antics from Don Lemon. Lemon and CNN parted ways earlier this year after management tried to move him from a prominent primetime show to the network’s morning program.
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will return as hosts of CNN’s main coverage of the evening. The broadcast will feature performances by Enrique Iglesias, Maroon 5, Jonas Brothers, Flo Rida, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker and Rod Stewart and live interviews with Patti Labelle, Jeremy Renner, Neil Patrick Harris, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers.
Will alcohol be served? Imbibing has been...
- 12/11/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
CNN’s debut of King Charles, the new show featuring Gayle King and Charles Barkley, premiered to 510,000 viewers, according to Nielsen fast national early numbers.
The show’s total viewing audience was well behind rivals: Fox News’ Gutfeld! topped the time slot with 1.97 million viewers, and MSNBC averaged 1.62 million with The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.
The CNN show, however, did edge out MSNBC in the 25-54 demo, averaging 139,000, compared to 132,000 for MSNBC’s The Last Word and 257,000 for Fox News’ Gutfeld!
King Charles is a once-a-week 10 p.m. Et show on Wednesday evening, and the first show guests included Steve Kerr. The show was part of then-cnn CEO Chris Licht’s strategy of programming primetime with star names. Licht was let go from the network in June, but CNN went forward with the King-Barkley show, which is a limited series that will run through early next year.
CNN Newsnight with Abby Phillip,...
The show’s total viewing audience was well behind rivals: Fox News’ Gutfeld! topped the time slot with 1.97 million viewers, and MSNBC averaged 1.62 million with The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.
The CNN show, however, did edge out MSNBC in the 25-54 demo, averaging 139,000, compared to 132,000 for MSNBC’s The Last Word and 257,000 for Fox News’ Gutfeld!
King Charles is a once-a-week 10 p.m. Et show on Wednesday evening, and the first show guests included Steve Kerr. The show was part of then-cnn CEO Chris Licht’s strategy of programming primetime with star names. Licht was let go from the network in June, but CNN went forward with the King-Barkley show, which is a limited series that will run through early next year.
CNN Newsnight with Abby Phillip,...
- 11/30/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The reign of King Charles — the CNN show, not the British monarch — began rather quietly Wednesday.
The weekly show, hosted by Gayle King and Charles Barkley, drew just 501,00 viewers for its debut, according to same-day Nielsen ratings (it adjusted up a little from 486,000 in fast nationals). It finished a distant third among the biggest cable news channels in total viewers and didn’t really moving the needle from CNN’s recent averages in the hour. In fact, it ranks as the smallest audience of any of CNN’s primetime debuts this year.
King Charles was one of the last big moves of the brief Chris Licht era at CNN. The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network announced the show in late April — six weeks before Licht was let go following a profile in The Atlantic that was poorly received among network staffers. (Mark Thompson became CEO of CNN in October.)
The...
The weekly show, hosted by Gayle King and Charles Barkley, drew just 501,00 viewers for its debut, according to same-day Nielsen ratings (it adjusted up a little from 486,000 in fast nationals). It finished a distant third among the biggest cable news channels in total viewers and didn’t really moving the needle from CNN’s recent averages in the hour. In fact, it ranks as the smallest audience of any of CNN’s primetime debuts this year.
King Charles was one of the last big moves of the brief Chris Licht era at CNN. The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network announced the show in late April — six weeks before Licht was let go following a profile in The Atlantic that was poorly received among network staffers. (Mark Thompson became CEO of CNN in October.)
The...
- 11/30/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav weighed in on the twin SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes and defended the company’s budget cuts — including shelving completed films “Batgirl” and “Coyote vs. Acme” — as requiring “courage” to right-size its balance sheet.
Zaslav, speaking Wednesday at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit, reiterated to moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin that with respect to the strikes, he was focused on achieving a resolution as soon as possible.
“I think the idea of going on strike was bad for all of us,” he said. “My focus was on, we need to settle the strike, every day that we were on strike and people weren’t working was a bad day for us.”
Zaslav recently was quoted in a New York Times piece as saying the WGA was “right about almost everything.” Asked about that at the DealBook event, the CEO stuck by his previous comment and...
Zaslav, speaking Wednesday at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit, reiterated to moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin that with respect to the strikes, he was focused on achieving a resolution as soon as possible.
“I think the idea of going on strike was bad for all of us,” he said. “My focus was on, we need to settle the strike, every day that we were on strike and people weren’t working was a bad day for us.”
Zaslav recently was quoted in a New York Times piece as saying the WGA was “right about almost everything.” Asked about that at the DealBook event, the CEO stuck by his previous comment and...
- 11/29/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
It took real “courage” for Warner Bros. Discovery to cancel completed movies like “Batgirl” and “Coyote vs. Acme,” CEO David Zaslav said at a conference today.
Speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit on November 29, the executive defended the company’s moves to shelve films for tax write-downs, despite the outcry from the creative community back the first time they did it with “Batgirl” and again last month with the Looney Tunes hybrid animated feature “Coyote vs. Acme.” “We decided that we had to have courage,” Zaslav told the Times’ Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Both “Coyote vs. Acme” and “Batgirl,” along with “Scoob! Holiday Haunt,” were completed films that had been shown to audiences in test screenings. “Coyote vs. Acme” had a budget in the $70 million range, and “Batgirl” cost about $90 million. Each were originally intended for streaming and were greenlit by the prior regime before Zaslav took over. Rather...
Speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit on November 29, the executive defended the company’s moves to shelve films for tax write-downs, despite the outcry from the creative community back the first time they did it with “Batgirl” and again last month with the Looney Tunes hybrid animated feature “Coyote vs. Acme.” “We decided that we had to have courage,” Zaslav told the Times’ Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Both “Coyote vs. Acme” and “Batgirl,” along with “Scoob! Holiday Haunt,” were completed films that had been shown to audiences in test screenings. “Coyote vs. Acme” had a budget in the $70 million range, and “Batgirl” cost about $90 million. Each were originally intended for streaming and were greenlit by the prior regime before Zaslav took over. Rather...
- 11/29/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav gave former CNN chief Chris Licht a warm endorsement, even hinting at the possibility that the TV news vet could work again with the company.
Licht is a “great guy, talented guy,” Zaslav said at the New York Times DealBook Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center, as Licht sat in the audience. The exec was ousted from CNN last June after a tumultuous run capped by a damning profile in The Atlantic. Weeks before the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger closed in April 2022, Zaslav had chosen Licht to head up CNN, reportedly without having conducted a robust search process. The two had been personally acquainted before the hiring.
“Chris is a good friend,” Zaslav said. As to their parting ways, he added, “That was … look, there are a lot of good days and a lot of tough days. Chris has had a lot of great days.
Licht is a “great guy, talented guy,” Zaslav said at the New York Times DealBook Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center, as Licht sat in the audience. The exec was ousted from CNN last June after a tumultuous run capped by a damning profile in The Atlantic. Weeks before the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger closed in April 2022, Zaslav had chosen Licht to head up CNN, reportedly without having conducted a robust search process. The two had been personally acquainted before the hiring.
“Chris is a good friend,” Zaslav said. As to their parting ways, he added, “That was … look, there are a lot of good days and a lot of tough days. Chris has had a lot of great days.
- 11/29/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
David Zaslav Says Hollywood Must Make “Tougher, Faster” Decisions to Avoid “Generational Disruption”
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav says his company is now “in a position to really attack for growth” over the next year, with its finances stabilizing and the entertainment industry moving forward after the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
But he added that the “generational disruption” that is impacting the industry “requires more aggressive, tougher, faster, decisions.”
Zaslav made the comments at the New York Times Dealbook Summit in New York Wednesday morning, in an interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin.
The moment “requires very hard decisions, and many of them are unpopular,” Zaslav added, noting the decision to cut film and TV projects, some of which were already completed. “It’s a very scary time, but its also an exciting time because of what’s possible. We were the first ones through. We needed to get healthy and needed to build a real business around this company.
But he added that the “generational disruption” that is impacting the industry “requires more aggressive, tougher, faster, decisions.”
Zaslav made the comments at the New York Times Dealbook Summit in New York Wednesday morning, in an interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin.
The moment “requires very hard decisions, and many of them are unpopular,” Zaslav added, noting the decision to cut film and TV projects, some of which were already completed. “It’s a very scary time, but its also an exciting time because of what’s possible. We were the first ones through. We needed to get healthy and needed to build a real business around this company.
- 11/29/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CNN has set Nov. 29 as the premiere date for King Charles, the primetime limited series hosted by Gayle King and Charles Barkley.
The show will air at 10 p.m. Et on Wednesdays, although the second week will be an hour earlier because of the GOP debate on Dec. 6.
In a promo, King called the show “our unfiltered take on the biggest stories of the day.”
The show’s genesis was during the tenure of Chris Licht, the former CNN boss who was ousted in June. Licht had sought to shore up the network’s primetime lineup with star personalities, even if that meant once-a-week primetime shows. MSNBC already has done that, with The Rachel Maddow Show now appearing only on Mondays after Maddow signed a new contract that pulled back on her regular appearances.
King will continue in her role as co-host of CBS Mornings, as well as her SiriusXM show,...
The show will air at 10 p.m. Et on Wednesdays, although the second week will be an hour earlier because of the GOP debate on Dec. 6.
In a promo, King called the show “our unfiltered take on the biggest stories of the day.”
The show’s genesis was during the tenure of Chris Licht, the former CNN boss who was ousted in June. Licht had sought to shore up the network’s primetime lineup with star personalities, even if that meant once-a-week primetime shows. MSNBC already has done that, with The Rachel Maddow Show now appearing only on Mondays after Maddow signed a new contract that pulled back on her regular appearances.
King will continue in her role as co-host of CBS Mornings, as well as her SiriusXM show,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Can “King Charles” rule in the heady, competitive world of cable news? CNN will soon find out.
The new weekly one-hour program will debut Wednesday, November 29, at 10 p.m., and will be co-anchored by the unlikely duo of Gayle King, who still has her long-running day job at rival CBS News, and Charles Barkley, the outspoken sportscaster who remains a key element in the NBA coverage provided by CNN’s parent, Warner Bros. Discovery. CNN executives are counting on the pair to have freewheeling conversations about the biggest stories in the news cycle. “King Charles” is viewed as a limited-run series that will last at least through the first quarter of next year.
“‘King Charles’ is different than anything we have on CNN’s lineup,” says Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content development, in responses to questions provided by email. “It’s not a newscast,...
The new weekly one-hour program will debut Wednesday, November 29, at 10 p.m., and will be co-anchored by the unlikely duo of Gayle King, who still has her long-running day job at rival CBS News, and Charles Barkley, the outspoken sportscaster who remains a key element in the NBA coverage provided by CNN’s parent, Warner Bros. Discovery. CNN executives are counting on the pair to have freewheeling conversations about the biggest stories in the news cycle. “King Charles” is viewed as a limited-run series that will last at least through the first quarter of next year.
“‘King Charles’ is different than anything we have on CNN’s lineup,” says Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content development, in responses to questions provided by email. “It’s not a newscast,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav, shrunk its overall losses on higher revenues as the impact of the dual Hollywood strikes weighed on the major studio, as did a sluggish U.S. ad market.
Wbd’s overall revenues rose 2 percent to $9.97 billion, just shy of a revenue estimate of $10 billion. And the net loss at the Hollywood studio fell back to $407 million, against a year-earlier loss of $2.28 billion. The latest loss at the owner of CNN, Discovery and the Max streaming platform included $1.75 billion in one-time pre-tax amortization charges.
The adjusted Ebitda rose 22 percent to $2.96 billion, and the third quarter earnings per-share loss of 17 cents was well off an analyst estimate for a 9 cents loss. Wbd, the result of an earlier combination of Discovery and WarnerMedia, ended September with total global streaming subscribers falling .7 percent to 95.1 million, compared to 95.8 million at the end of the second quarter and...
Wbd’s overall revenues rose 2 percent to $9.97 billion, just shy of a revenue estimate of $10 billion. And the net loss at the Hollywood studio fell back to $407 million, against a year-earlier loss of $2.28 billion. The latest loss at the owner of CNN, Discovery and the Max streaming platform included $1.75 billion in one-time pre-tax amortization charges.
The adjusted Ebitda rose 22 percent to $2.96 billion, and the third quarter earnings per-share loss of 17 cents was well off an analyst estimate for a 9 cents loss. Wbd, the result of an earlier combination of Discovery and WarnerMedia, ended September with total global streaming subscribers falling .7 percent to 95.1 million, compared to 95.8 million at the end of the second quarter and...
- 11/8/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amid the mounting tragedy in the Middle East, Fox News and CNN are the early winners in the cable network ratings battle, flexing their on-the-ground foreign reporting muscles, while MSNBC suffered a fall-off at the beginning of the conflict from which it has yet to recover.
In the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists in Israel, in which they massacred over 1,400 Israeli citizens, all three cable news channels saw viewership boosts of varying degrees, but Fox and CNN saw the main benefit.
From Oct. 9 to Oct. 15, Fox News scored 1.57 million average total viewers, a 22% increase from the week of Oct. 7. MSNBC secured second place with 766,000 viewers, a 20% decrease for the network from the week prior. CNN came in third, drawing 681,000 viewers, a 13% improvement for the network, according to Nielsen.
Fox News and CNN held on to elevated viewership at the end of October, with both networks ending...
In the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists in Israel, in which they massacred over 1,400 Israeli citizens, all three cable news channels saw viewership boosts of varying degrees, but Fox and CNN saw the main benefit.
From Oct. 9 to Oct. 15, Fox News scored 1.57 million average total viewers, a 22% increase from the week of Oct. 7. MSNBC secured second place with 766,000 viewers, a 20% decrease for the network from the week prior. CNN came in third, drawing 681,000 viewers, a 13% improvement for the network, according to Nielsen.
Fox News and CNN held on to elevated viewership at the end of October, with both networks ending...
- 11/3/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
On day one as the CEO of CNN, Mark Thompson found himself facing a global crisis after Hamas’ surprise attack against Israel. The veteran news executive is taking over a massive news organization in the middle of an enormously consequential world event, one that will undoubtedly be critical for CNN and its plan to restore itself as the global TV news leader.
When Russia invaded Ukraine last year (just a few months before Thompson’s predecessor Chris Licht took over the venerable news channel), CNN’s viewership soared as it converged on the nascent war (CNN has long benefitted from viewers who don’t typically watch TV news but tune in where there is a major event).
It’s too soon to tell if CNN will see a similar rise in viewers given the violence in Israel, but Thompson, speaking on CNN’s Monday morning editorial call, seems acutely aware of the stakes.
When Russia invaded Ukraine last year (just a few months before Thompson’s predecessor Chris Licht took over the venerable news channel), CNN’s viewership soared as it converged on the nascent war (CNN has long benefitted from viewers who don’t typically watch TV news but tune in where there is a major event).
It’s too soon to tell if CNN will see a similar rise in viewers given the violence in Israel, but Thompson, speaking on CNN’s Monday morning editorial call, seems acutely aware of the stakes.
- 10/9/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CNN’s new CEO and chairman Mark Thompson officially started his role with the network on Monday by addressing staff in an internal video message, saying that the organization has a long way to go in order to be “ready for the future.”
The news network’s chief executive addressed CNN staffers in a five-minute prerecorded message saying that “it’s one platform in a growing number of platforms,” according to CNN’s Oliver Darcy.
“TV is also too dominant at CNN and digital, too marginal,” Thompson said. “Despite some recent encouraging developments like the launch of CNN Max, this company is still nowhere near ready for the future.”
Thompson told staffers to “not second guess ourselves or get distracted by complicated arguments about balance or whataboutism or false equivalency.”
“Let’s cover political news proportionally and fairly but not be frightened of our own shadows,” he continued.
The new...
The news network’s chief executive addressed CNN staffers in a five-minute prerecorded message saying that “it’s one platform in a growing number of platforms,” according to CNN’s Oliver Darcy.
“TV is also too dominant at CNN and digital, too marginal,” Thompson said. “Despite some recent encouraging developments like the launch of CNN Max, this company is still nowhere near ready for the future.”
Thompson told staffers to “not second guess ourselves or get distracted by complicated arguments about balance or whataboutism or false equivalency.”
“Let’s cover political news proportionally and fairly but not be frightened of our own shadows,” he continued.
The new...
- 10/9/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
CNN’s new chairman and CEO Mark Thompson officially started in his job leading the network on Monday, telling staffers in an internal video message that the news organization needed to make advancements in digital and that conventional TV “can no longer define us.”
“It’s one platform in a growing number of platforms,” Thompson said, according to CNN’s Oliver Darcy and confirmed by a network source.
Thompson also said that while recent new offerings, like CNN Max, were “encouraging developments,” the network was “still nowhere near ready for the future.” He said that TV was still “too dominant at CNN and digital too marginal.”
Thompson cited his experience at The New York Times, where he served as CEO from 2012 to 2020. The Times boosted subscriptions in the transition to digital.
Thompson also made reference to concerns that have pervaded the network since Discovery took over Warner Media, essentially telling...
“It’s one platform in a growing number of platforms,” Thompson said, according to CNN’s Oliver Darcy and confirmed by a network source.
Thompson also said that while recent new offerings, like CNN Max, were “encouraging developments,” the network was “still nowhere near ready for the future.” He said that TV was still “too dominant at CNN and digital too marginal.”
Thompson cited his experience at The New York Times, where he served as CEO from 2012 to 2020. The Times boosted subscriptions in the transition to digital.
Thompson also made reference to concerns that have pervaded the network since Discovery took over Warner Media, essentially telling...
- 10/9/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The open beta for CNN Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s 24/7 streaming news offering, officially launched to Max subscribers on Wednesday, and largely mirrors the company’s linear TV lineup.
CNN Max features live programming from CNN US and CNN International, including:
Monday-Friday (Et)
5:00Am-6:00Am Early Start with Kasie Hunt
6:00Am-8:00Am CNN This Morning with Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly
8:00Am-10:00Am CNN Newsroom with Amara Walker, Fredricka Whitfield and Jim Acosta
10:00Am-11:00Am CNN Newsroom with Rahel Solomon
11:00Am-12:00Pm State of the Race with Kasie Hunt
12:00Pm-1:00Pm One World with Zain Asher & Bianna Golodryga
1:00Pm-2:00Pm Amanpour
2:00Pm-3:00Pm CNN Newsroom with Jim Sciutto
3:00Pm-4:00Pm Quest Means Business
4:00Pm-6:00Pm The Lead with Jake Tapper
6:00Pm-7:00Pm The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer...
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- 9/27/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Anderson Cooper believes the storm has passed at CNN.
Cooper spoke with People and admitted that the firing of network head Jeff Zucker, the dismissal of pundit Chris Cuomo, the resignation of news leader Chris Licht, the shuttering of the short-lived CNN+, and the departure of staffers like host Don Lemon created a situation where “morale was hurt by all the drama, and that’s unfortunate. But I think things feel like they are back on track.”
Cooper has been with the news and opinion network for two decades. He currently hosts “Anderson Cooper 360.”
CNN has now installed Mark Thompson as president beginning Oct. 9, and Cooper is encouraged by the new leadership.
“He sounds great,” said Cooper.
Mostly, he is grateful that things are not focused on the latest upheaval.
“It’s never great to be in a place where you read the paper in the morning and there are...
Cooper spoke with People and admitted that the firing of network head Jeff Zucker, the dismissal of pundit Chris Cuomo, the resignation of news leader Chris Licht, the shuttering of the short-lived CNN+, and the departure of staffers like host Don Lemon created a situation where “morale was hurt by all the drama, and that’s unfortunate. But I think things feel like they are back on track.”
Cooper has been with the news and opinion network for two decades. He currently hosts “Anderson Cooper 360.”
CNN has now installed Mark Thompson as president beginning Oct. 9, and Cooper is encouraged by the new leadership.
“He sounds great,” said Cooper.
Mostly, he is grateful that things are not focused on the latest upheaval.
“It’s never great to be in a place where you read the paper in the morning and there are...
- 9/17/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Kristen Welker’s first broadcast of Meet the Press on Sunday will feature a pre-taped interview with former President Donald Trump.
The interview will take place on Thursday in Bedminster, NJ, and it will be Trump’s first broadcast network sitdown since leaving office.
The network has stressed that the interview is not a town hall and there is no live audience, and the same invite has been extended to President Joe Biden. The sitdown also will be accompanied by a fact check on NBCNews.com. They also pointed to a quote that David Gelles, the executive producer of Meet the Press, gave to The Poynter Report: “We are in the business of covering politics. It’s not our job to pick and choose the leaders. The American people get to do that. And so our job is to make sure that the American people understand who the people in power are,...
The interview will take place on Thursday in Bedminster, NJ, and it will be Trump’s first broadcast network sitdown since leaving office.
The network has stressed that the interview is not a town hall and there is no live audience, and the same invite has been extended to President Joe Biden. The sitdown also will be accompanied by a fact check on NBCNews.com. They also pointed to a quote that David Gelles, the executive producer of Meet the Press, gave to The Poynter Report: “We are in the business of covering politics. It’s not our job to pick and choose the leaders. The American people get to do that. And so our job is to make sure that the American people understand who the people in power are,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
“CNN This Morning” has implemented an updated set design, marking a distinct departure from the programming decisions of former CEO Chris Licht.
The fresh look includes brick detailing and is a CNN New York set design used by several other shows produced by the network.
The brick is back on @CNNThisMorning — the Am show has returned to the "New Day" set that was in use for almost a decade — removing some of the Licht-era look pic.twitter.com/ANFkOfw77A
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 13, 2023
Licht was ousted from the network in June after his brief tenure was characterized by his poorly received programming changes, plummeting advertising revenue and declining ratings. Licht was fired after a controversial live town hall with former President Donald Trump and an explosive profile by the Atlantic’s Tim Alberta.
One of Licht’s primary programming decisions while helming CNN was to reimagine the network’s morning show,...
The fresh look includes brick detailing and is a CNN New York set design used by several other shows produced by the network.
The brick is back on @CNNThisMorning — the Am show has returned to the "New Day" set that was in use for almost a decade — removing some of the Licht-era look pic.twitter.com/ANFkOfw77A
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 13, 2023
Licht was ousted from the network in June after his brief tenure was characterized by his poorly received programming changes, plummeting advertising revenue and declining ratings. Licht was fired after a controversial live town hall with former President Donald Trump and an explosive profile by the Atlantic’s Tim Alberta.
One of Licht’s primary programming decisions while helming CNN was to reimagine the network’s morning show,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
Warner Bros. Discovery’s U.S. Hispanic division is adding CNN en Español to its portfolio, which includes Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia and Hogar de HGTV.
David Tardio, the division’s vice president of advertising sales, said the move will pave the way for “very unique cross-network advertising opportunities.”
“We can now offer bigger, better, and more diversified content tailored to our unique audience,” Tardio added. “This move undoubtedly bolsters our position in the industry.”
The CNN en Español News Network, which is aimed at Spanish speaking audiences, reaches over 62 million homes with CNN en Español, which provides 24 hours of cable news for the United States, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Cynthia Hudson, senior vice president and managing director of CNN en Español and Hispanic Strategy U.S., said Cnne “can look forward to greater opportunities for collaboration, tentpole initiatives across platforms and growth with the...
David Tardio, the division’s vice president of advertising sales, said the move will pave the way for “very unique cross-network advertising opportunities.”
“We can now offer bigger, better, and more diversified content tailored to our unique audience,” Tardio added. “This move undoubtedly bolsters our position in the industry.”
The CNN en Español News Network, which is aimed at Spanish speaking audiences, reaches over 62 million homes with CNN en Español, which provides 24 hours of cable news for the United States, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Cynthia Hudson, senior vice president and managing director of CNN en Español and Hispanic Strategy U.S., said Cnne “can look forward to greater opportunities for collaboration, tentpole initiatives across platforms and growth with the...
- 9/13/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
After Chris Licht was ousted as CEO of CNN after barely a year on the job, his tumultuous tenure left staff exhausted and demoralized. Primetime anchor Anderson Cooper opened up about Licht’s era at the network, including the ex-chairman’s widely maligned decision to host a town hall event with Donald Trump last spring, during an interview with the New York Times Magazine published Tuesday.
When asked if he agreed with Licht’s attempt to realign CNN to appeal to a new “cohort of viewers,” Cooper said, “I don...
When asked if he agreed with Licht’s attempt to realign CNN to appeal to a new “cohort of viewers,” Cooper said, “I don...
- 9/6/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Anderson Cooper discussed former CNN CEO Chris Licht’s ouster from the network, saying he’s still not entirely sure what his goal was.
Licht was fired in June, just over a year after he assumed the top role at CNN. His tenure with the network was marred by poorly received programming decisions, plummeting advertising revenue, and a controversial live town hall with Donald Trump.
Cooper, when asked in an interview with the The New York Times if Licht felt as though CNN needed a realignment to capture more viewers, replied that he doesn’t “have much confidence” that he actually knows what Licht was thinking at the time.
Which according to Cooper was a “problem,” for the network. “I read things in the paper, but I’m not sure what the point of it all was,” the veteran CNN host said.
“I met with Chris and had a general...
Licht was fired in June, just over a year after he assumed the top role at CNN. His tenure with the network was marred by poorly received programming decisions, plummeting advertising revenue, and a controversial live town hall with Donald Trump.
Cooper, when asked in an interview with the The New York Times if Licht felt as though CNN needed a realignment to capture more viewers, replied that he doesn’t “have much confidence” that he actually knows what Licht was thinking at the time.
Which according to Cooper was a “problem,” for the network. “I read things in the paper, but I’m not sure what the point of it all was,” the veteran CNN host said.
“I met with Chris and had a general...
- 9/5/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
John Lansing, the president and CEO of NPR, said on Tuesday that he is retiring at the end of the year.
The NPR board of directors will conduct a national search for his successor, and he will remain in his role “as necessary to ensure a smooth transition,” the network said.
In a note to staff, Lansing wrote, “We have been through a lot together over the past four years, and you have made me proud every day. During the pandemic, we were there when America needed us most, reporting truthful life-saving information when disinformation was rampant. And we were there when America went through an overdue racial reckoning.”
Lansing has been in the position since 2019, having previously served as CEO of United States Agency for Global Media and, before that, president of Scripps cable networks company.
During his tenure, Lansing led NPR through the pandemic and turbulent presidential election and aftermath,...
The NPR board of directors will conduct a national search for his successor, and he will remain in his role “as necessary to ensure a smooth transition,” the network said.
In a note to staff, Lansing wrote, “We have been through a lot together over the past four years, and you have made me proud every day. During the pandemic, we were there when America needed us most, reporting truthful life-saving information when disinformation was rampant. And we were there when America went through an overdue racial reckoning.”
Lansing has been in the position since 2019, having previously served as CEO of United States Agency for Global Media and, before that, president of Scripps cable networks company.
During his tenure, Lansing led NPR through the pandemic and turbulent presidential election and aftermath,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
It is possible that in his search for CNN’s next boss, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav simply checked back through the news network’s archives.
In the otherworldly days of 2020, when Richard Quest was broadcasting in front of a bookcase, the gravel-voiced anchor conducted an exit interview with former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson.
“What is next? People of your age, with your experience … you do not go off to grow petunias and go fishing,” Quest twinkled. Sat in a wood-paneled kitchen in Maine, Thompson chuckled. “I’ll be doing a bit of cooking later,” demurred the 66-year-old Brit, renowned for his culinary skills among friends.
But there was more on his mind than the next meal. “I like big challenges, that should be fairly apparent. That might come in the shape of another big executive job,” he told Quest. “I’m interested in the puzzle of...
In the otherworldly days of 2020, when Richard Quest was broadcasting in front of a bookcase, the gravel-voiced anchor conducted an exit interview with former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson.
“What is next? People of your age, with your experience … you do not go off to grow petunias and go fishing,” Quest twinkled. Sat in a wood-paneled kitchen in Maine, Thompson chuckled. “I’ll be doing a bit of cooking later,” demurred the 66-year-old Brit, renowned for his culinary skills among friends.
But there was more on his mind than the next meal. “I like big challenges, that should be fairly apparent. That might come in the shape of another big executive job,” he told Quest. “I’m interested in the puzzle of...
- 9/1/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Ex-New York Times CEO and BBC director general Mark Thompson’s appointment as CNN’s new CEO offers some much-needed good news as the troubled network seeks to turn its ratings declines around and reinvent itself for the digital age.
“This seems to finally place years of C-suite dysfunction into the rearview mirror,” Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett told TheWrap, referring to previous chief exec eras, such as Chris licht’s short and disastrous tenure, the controversial departure of news legend Jeff Zucker, and the expensive path Jason Kilar took the network.
“Thompson is as credible as you can get in this space right now,” Crockett continued, “and Warner Bros. Discovery hiring him should send a jolt of confidence to CNN’s rank and file.”
The 40-year-plus news veteran is best known for successfully transforming the New York Times into a digital operation. Under his leadership from 2012 to 2020, the newspaper...
“This seems to finally place years of C-suite dysfunction into the rearview mirror,” Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett told TheWrap, referring to previous chief exec eras, such as Chris licht’s short and disastrous tenure, the controversial departure of news legend Jeff Zucker, and the expensive path Jason Kilar took the network.
“Thompson is as credible as you can get in this space right now,” Crockett continued, “and Warner Bros. Discovery hiring him should send a jolt of confidence to CNN’s rank and file.”
The 40-year-plus news veteran is best known for successfully transforming the New York Times into a digital operation. Under his leadership from 2012 to 2020, the newspaper...
- 8/30/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
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