CNN: The Continuing Soap Opera

[Newsjunkie24 506]

Time to just bring Morning Express and Robin and be done with it, instead of trying to throw stuff at the wall to see what sticks. She was probably the most likeable person CNN had on-air. In today's divided and chaotic times, a lighter and more fun show might work in the morning. Might as well call her back if the next change fails.

[Abraham J. Simpson 315]

No matter how many people beat this long-dead horse, Morning Express is not coming back. Not now. Not tomorrow. Not six months from now. 

[24994J 5551]

Morning Express on CNN would be a square peg in a round hole. There's a reason it co-existed with the flagship. They want to do a show on CNN that has panels and politics, and that is the polar opposite of everything HLN was airing. IF 'Morning Express' and its former anchor were brought to CNN, it would be in name only, and Robin Meade would be terribly miscast.

[mre29 1513]

9 hours ago, 24994J said:

Morning Express on CNN would be a square peg in a round hole. There's a reason it co-existed with the flagship. They want to do a show on CNN that has panels and politics, and that is the polar opposite of everything HLN was airing. IF 'Morning Express' and its former anchor were brought to CNN, it would be in name only, and Robin Meade would be terribly miscast.

 

So, basically, Morning Express was meant to compete more with Today and Good Morning America than with Morning Joe and Fox & Friends?

 

[Abraham J. Simpson 315]

Or it was something of its time that complemented what HLN did at the time. It lasted longer than HLN in that incarnation, great. It was complimentary to that network, and to what was being done over on CNN.  But times change, viewing patterns change, corporate owners change, technology changes, audiences change…and the show reached the end of its purpose for the company. 

[atlnews2 590]

New cnn boss looking to cut anchor salaries as part of savings 

 

https://www.thewrap.com/cnn-looks-to-slash-budgets-star-salaries-as-mark-thompson-digs-in/

 

[Geoffrey 856]

CNN's morning changes start next week.

 

Kasie Hunt noted the end of the "Early Start" brand after 12 years as show will take on the "CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt" as it expands to a second hour. I wonder if she will continue anchoring from the flash cam position, or if they will invest in a crew to have her do the two hours from an actual studio in DC. (Since CNN seems to be making cuts in the morning, I guess I shouldn't hold my breath.) Also wondering if the open and theme will be kept.

 

Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly thanked the staff, including the studio and control room crews, for their hard work making them look good. I believe all of these positions are being eliminated as this version of the New York-based broadcast has essentially been cut. Hoping to see Phil and Poppy stay prominent faces on the network and that CNN treats the other employees well.

 

Kate Bolduan, John Berman and Sara Sidner announced their new 7-10 a.m. hours. John joked "You might say that we are reimagining the CNN News Central schedule, but we're sure you know that because you've seen all the promos," adding "This is called a soft launch because we don't want to set expectations too high, but we are allowed to say we'll be a revolution in morning television. CNN News Central, more news, less waiting, fewer chairs." Sara thanked Poppy, Phil and the NY and Atlanta teams.

 

Edit: I just noticed some changes in the 4 a.m. hour as well. It used to be "CNN Newsroom with Max Foster and Bianca Nobilo," and they made a point of announcing this team for the U.S. viewers beginning November 1, 2022 (when the Don Lemon version of CNN This Morning launched). But this past Monday it was just "CNN Newsroom with Max Foster."  And then since Tuesday morning, it's been an AC360 repeat. CNN's website shows CNN Newsroom listed for next week, so I'm not sure what's going on.

Edited February 23, 2024 by Geoffrey

[ATLNewsExpert 453]

On 2/23/2024 at 12:16 PM, Geoffrey said:

Kasie Hunt noted the end of the "Early Start" brand after 12 years as show will take on the "CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt" as it expands to a second hour. I wonder if she will continue anchoring from the flash cam position, or if they will invest in a crew to have her do the two hours from an actual studio in DC. (Since CNN seems to be making cuts in the morning, I guess I shouldn't hold my breath.) Also wondering if the open and theme will be kept.

Here's hoping the new "CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta" will have new graphics too instead of the last package pre-News Central or the International look!

[PTVNews 194]

On 2/23/2024 at 9:16 AM, Geoffrey said:

Edit: I just noticed some changes in the 4 a.m. hour as well. It used to be "CNN Newsroom with Max Foster and Bianca Nobilo," and they made a point of announcing this team for the U.S. viewers beginning November 1, 2022 (when the Don Lemon version of CNN This Morning launched). But this past Monday it was just "CNN Newsroom with Max Foster."  And then since Tuesday morning, it's been an AC360 repeat. CNN's website shows CNN Newsroom listed for next week, so I'm not sure what's going on.

 

I have CNN on in the background now and CNN Newsroom with Max and Bianca is on at 1am Pacific. I'm glad because it would be a downgrade to have the timeslot be a repeat/non-live hour,....plus I like the duo and the CNNI vibe.

[Geoffrey 856]

They put Kasie in a studio! Same music and graphics, but it sounded like they used a slightly different cut for the open.

 

The second hour at 6 a.m. kicked off with an in-studio discussion with Senator Joe Manchin. In the previous format, it might have been a panel discussion. Not sure Manchin is going to win any viewers over.

 

In the few minutes I checked out, it really feels like a downgrade in the 6 a.m. hour. I'm a Kasie Hunt fan but a solo anchor in the morning is such a different vibe.

 

 

[Spherix 9]

This Morning with Kasie was such a downgrade. Its days are numbered already no question.

 

As the soap opera continues...

[TheNewsTV 251]

No changes to opening of CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta

 

[MediaZone4K 2158]

Late to the party,  so CNN will have News CENTRAL and NewsROOM now? It's clear that NewsCentral will be the main dayside brand but how will this differ from Newsroom? I'm glad to see Newsroom still around but I'm surprised they didn't just MSNBC it and unite all of dayside headline coverage under one brand. 

Edited February 27, 2024 by MediaZone4K

[ATLNewsExpert 453]

29 minutes ago, TheNewsTV said:

No changes to opening of CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta

 

DANG IT!

10 minutes ago, MediaZone4K said:

It's clear that NewsCentral will be the main dayside brand but how will this differ from Newroom?

Mainly the format I guess, with NewsCentral using it's sets more interactively then Newsroom does (Giving Newsroom the typical anchor in front of background look, if you want to cut costs Thompson, I think that's an idea looking into!)

[ATLNewsExpert 453]

Update on the 11am hour, Wolf Blitzer is anchoring under the "CNN Newsroom" brand, was sort of opening "The Bulletin" would launch but I guess that'll be after Brown returns from maternity leave. Also with it's move to 11am, I guess that means the 3pm hour will remain with News Central for the foreseeable future. 

[Drew 149]

I was suprised to see that they add with Wolf Blitzer since this is temporary show 

[Jase 1042]

4 hours ago, ATLNewsExpert said:

Update on the 11am hour, Wolf Blitzer is anchoring under the "CNN Newsroom" brand, was sort of opening "The Bulletin" would launch but I guess that'll be after Brown returns from maternity leave. Also with it's move to 11am, I guess that means the 3pm hour will remain with News Central for the foreseeable future. 

 

They wouldn't launch 'The Bulletin' with Wolf if the show is Pamela's. Honesty, they may not launch 'The Bulletin' at all if they're looking to cut cost and same some $$$. That said, I wouldn't be surprised when Pamela comes back, they stick with 'CNN Newsroom with...' 

 

Glad that News Central didn't get reduced to 2 hrs. No reason to do so given it performs well (relatively speaking).

 

3 hours ago, Drew said:

I was surprised to see that they add with Wolf Blitzer since this is temporary show 

 

Since a rotation of people isn't anchoring the 11A hr., it makes sense to add Wolf's name even if the show is just a placeholder. I see it as being consistent across the board more than anything.

 

Edited February 26, 2024 by Jase

[Jman7885 64]

Wonder if Phil would go back to DC and join the afternoon edition of “NewsCentral”?

 

I can see Poppy getting the morning newsroom block on MAX…. Can’t see either of them settling for weekend evenings

[ATLNewsExpert 453]

Huge bombshell out of New Zealand this morning (evening over there) as Warner Brothers Discovery announced proposals to completely SHUTDOWN "Three NewsHub", newsroom, all newscasts (6pm and late), everything, putting up to 300 employees at risk of loosing their jobs. 

 

The Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand has called this move a "disaster" for New Zealand's democracy, as it leaves 1News as the only national TV news operation in New Zealand, however the reaction from the rest of the government has been minimal.

 

Also effected is the broadcast on "Sky Open", "News First at 5:30" which is produced by Newshub.

 

 

[MediaZone4K 2158]

54 minutes ago, ATLNewsExpert said:

Huge bombshell out of New Zealand this morning (evening over there) as Warner Brothers Discovery announced proposals to completely SHUTDOWN "Three NewsHub", newsroom, all newscasts (6pm and late), everything, putting up to 300 employees at risk of loosing their jobs. 

 

The Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand has called this move a "disaster" for New Zealand's democracy, as it leaves 1News as the only national TV news operation in New Zealand, however the reaction from the rest of the government has been minimal.

 

Also effected is the broadcast on "Sky Open", "News First at 5:30" which is produced by Newshub.

 

 

Sad. Side track, but they could teach some of these US brands a thing or too about set and graphic design. 

[ATLNewsExpert 453]

57 minutes ago, MediaZone4K said:

Sad. Side track, but they could teach some of these US brands a thing or too about set and graphic design. 

Definitely, I've always loved their looks, even prior to the current brands launch in 2016. The set is half real/half set extension, with the physical set debuting in 2016. The set was updated (new desk, larger screen, and adding wooden textures) along with the new graphics in October. I wouldn't be mad if CNN adopted these graphics in a way at all. A bit hasty to cancel the operation outright after debuting new graphics and set updates not to long ago.

[mre29 1513]

On 2/28/2024 at 10:48 AM, ATLNewsExpert said:

Huge bombshell out of New Zealand this morning (evening over there) as Warner Brothers Discovery announced proposals to completely SHUTDOWN "Three NewsHub", newsroom, all newscasts (6pm and late), everything, putting up to 300 employees at risk of loosing their jobs.

 

[...]

 

Aside from the WBD connection, why not post this in the International News forum and then link to it here?

 

[gbsgeo 25]

CNN only averaged 900,000 viewers in primetime for Super Tuesday, with 938,000 in the marquee 10pm ET hour. Comparing the numbers to all the other channels including broadcast networks, how could CNN, once seen as the election go-to network, end up in the last place, not even passing one million viewers??
https://deadline.com/2024/03/super-tuesday-ratings-fox-news-cnn-msnbc-1235847745/

[Abraham J. Simpson 315]

14 hours ago, gbsgeo said:

CNN only averaged 900,000 viewers in primetime for Super Tuesday, with 938,000 in the marquee 10pm ET hour. Comparing the numbers to all the other channels including broadcast networks, how could CNN, once seen as the election go-to network, end up in the last place, not even passing one million viewers??
https://deadline.com/2024/03/super-tuesday-ratings-fox-news-cnn-msnbc-1235847745/

For starers, you're talking a substantial decline in total eyeballs who cared to watch anyone cover what is a meaningless snooze fest at this point.  19 mill to 11.4....that's like a 40% drop. Great for bargain hunting, not so great for viewership. So who tunes in to foregone conclusion coverage? The die hards looking for their fix. Not surprisingly, that benefits Fox News and MSNBC. I was curious enough in 2020 where there were still contests to watch some coverage. This year, I'd have rather watched paint dry. There was nothing up in the air--we know the top of the tickets, and to the extent there were locally contested races, those are better covered...locally. 

[Jase 1042]

16 hours ago, gbsgeo said:

CNN only averaged 900,000 viewers in primetime for Super Tuesday, with 938,000 in the marquee 10pm ET hour. Comparing the numbers to all the other channels including broadcast networks, how could CNN, once seen as the election go-to network, end up in the last place, not even passing one million viewers??
https://deadline.com/2024/03/super-tuesday-ratings-fox-news-cnn-msnbc-1235847745/

 

Thompson has acknowledged that most people (when it comes to politics) have gravitated towards channels that align with their political beliefs (i.e.. FNC or MSNBC) and aren't interested in getting a 'nonpartisan' viewpoint from CNN.

Edited March 7, 2024 by Jase