Nothing wrong with a bit of Quest! The man is a legend. I'm surprised domestic doesn't make more of Amanpour. She's been with CNN more or less since the start and they could make a big deal out of that.
As for First Move... what a waste. An Asian breakfast show that runs Tuesday to Saturday (Hong Kong time)... just whom does that serve? It's such an awkward show, both the timeslot and the content. And I think it's a waste of Julia Chatterley's talents - she knows financial news inside and out, whereas I don't think general news really suits her. Put her back on at 9am ET and make it a proper business show again. If CNN really wanted to push the boat out, they could even give her a co-host in London, a bit like the old World Business Today.
I don't think Kasie is at all suited to the early morning show. I get why she's there (the show is obviously aimed at political junkies) but I don't think either she or the format really work at that time in the morning. There was nothing wrong with Poppy and Phil. I think in 6-12 months CNN will throw in the towel and bring back a proper breakfast show. New Day Mk II, anyone?
You might remember, about 15-20 years ago, when CNN used to show an hour of Your World Today from CNNI every weekday? Something like that might be good again, to break up all the US news and political talk in the schedule. RE: the UK election - CNNI did a special marathon broadcast (which was actually very good) and I think it was also streamed on CNN Max.
I wouldn't be completely surprised if, 5 years from now, CNN, CNNI and CNN Max all merge into one channel, shown in the US and around the world. I can't see CNN, certainly the domestic channel, lasting too much longer in its current form. I don't know if the cable companies will want to keep paying for CNN if a) ratings keep falling and b) they keep streaming parts of it on Max. Who knows, a merged CNN could even be a good thing, if they covered a lot more international news than they do now.