CNN: The Continuing Soap Opera

[Action Newsroom 1279]

Political correspondent Jessica Dean (formerly at KYW) will be the weekend evening anchor of Newsroom.

 

Donie O'Sullivan has also been promoted to Senior Correspondent.

[NBC 5 Chicago 191]

37 minutes ago, Action Newsroom said:

Political correspondent Jessica Dean (formerly at KYW) will be the weekend evening anchor of Newsroom.

 

Donie O'Sullivan has also been promoted to Senior Correspondent.

 

I was wondering if this was permanent. Jessica has been doing weekend evenings for several weeks.

[Geoffrey 860]

CNN's 5-7 a.m. CNN This Morning got a new look (and studio -- the one used for The Lead and State of the Union) today: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-kppW6pY44/?img_index=1 

 

Gone are the wood tones and in are bright blue and yellow colors.

[Spring Rubber 702]

55 minutes ago, Geoffrey said:

CNN's 5-7 a.m. CNN This Morning got a new look (and studio -- the one used for The Lead and State of the Union) today: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-kppW6pY44/?img_index=1 

 

Gone are the wood tones and in are bright blue and yellow colors.

Yellow and blue on a morning show... how original.

 

The old wooden look was definitely unique. Was it the prettiest for the morning? Probably not, but it was unique.

[CraigViewer 77]

Over recent weeks or months, it appears to me as if CNN is following the old Jeff Zucker formula of grouping political partisans and pundits together in debate style formats.  Has anyone else observed this, as well?

[ATLNewsExpert 455]

6 hours ago, CraigViewer said:

Over recent weeks or months, it appears to me as if CNN is following the old Jeff Zucker formula of grouping political partisans and pundits together in debate style formats.  Has anyone else observed this, as well?

A bit, I watched This Morning recently and there was a panel at 5 in the morning, seriously? I just woke up, I want the headlines not some talking heads talking about the same stories that I knew when I went to bed, and I think thats the problem with the weekday This Morning, it's too stiff, too political.

[CraigViewer 77]

On 8/19/2024 at 3:35 AM, ATLNewsExpert said:

A bit, I watched This Morning recently and there was a panel at 5 in the morning, seriously? I just woke up, I want the headlines not some talking heads talking about the same stories that I knew when I went to bed, and I think thats the problem with the weekday This Morning, it's too stiff, too political.

Yeah, part of the reason for This Morning being overly political is possibly as a result of Kasie Hunt specializing in politics throughout her career and is thus within her wheelhouse.

Edited August 22, 2024 by CraigViewer

[YourWorldToday 15]

I can't imagine there is much of an audience for hardcore political chat at 5 in the morning. Perhaps the audience they are aiming for is affluent enough to make up for its small size? I suppose it's excusable right now as it's an election year... but after the inauguration? I can see another reshuffle happening at some point after that. Wolf is apparently retiring then (according to Puck, anyway). 

 

I'd like to see CNNI get more love. I don't understand why the management are so obsessed with propping up the domestic channel, its ratings dwindling by the day, when they have another channel out there which reaches 400 million viewers, and is available in nearly every hotel room on the planet. It should be the dominant world news channel... but instead we get lumbered with endless domestic simulcasts (I'm sorry but the world does not need 2 hours of DC insider gossip each day) and dire sponsored shows like Inside Africa. No wonder so many CNNI people have left... the whole channel is such a missed opportunity. 

[MediaZone4K 2172]

On 8/23/2024 at 5:55 AM, YourWorldToday said:

I can't imagine there is much of an audience for hardcore political chat at 5 in the morning. Perhaps the audience they are aiming for is affluent enough to make up for its small size? I suppose it's excusable right now as it's an election year... but after the inauguration? I can see another reshuffle happening at some point after that. Wolf is apparently retiring then (according to Puck, anyway). 

 

I'd like to see CNNI get more love. I don't understand why the management are so obsessed with propping up the domestic channel, its ratings dwindling by the day, when they have another channel out there which reaches 400 million viewers, and is available in nearly every hotel room on the planet. It should be the dominant world news channel... but instead we get lumbered with endless domestic simulcasts (I'm sorry but the world does not need 2 hours of DC insider gossip each day) and dire sponsored shows like Inside Africa. No wonder so many CNNI people have left... the whole channel is such a missed opportunity. 

Its baffling how obviously clueless network news brass seems to be these days!

 

Totally agree. American audiences are very insulated from global affairs because we lack international news coverage outside of a few countries.

 

I wish more day parts on CNN were devoted to CNN-I simulcasts to differentiate itself from non stop politics on FNC and MSNBC. Like I've said before, CNN International would be a better use of HLN's basic cable space.

Edited August 29, 2024 by MediaZone4K

[ATLNewsExpert 455]

18 minutes ago, MediaZone4K said:

Its baffling how obvious clueless network news brass seems to be these days!

 

Totally agree. American audiences are very insulated from global affairs because we lack international news coverage outside of a few countries.

 

I wish more day parts on CNN were devoted to CNN-I simulcasts to differentiate itself from non stop politics on FNC and MSNBC. Like I've said before, CNN International would be a better use of HLN's basic cable space.

Anyone fancy Amanpour, First Move, or Quest Means Business on the main schedule?

 

Also, if I can expand a little bit on This Morning, I feel CNN needs to find a balance, hard news with a warm, welcoming feel. First, get rid of the panels, save that for "Inside Politics". Second, to address the warm and inviting part, let Kasie get loose some!

 

Let her move around, personalize her sign on/sign off, heck, get her a couch like on the ATL set. I'm not saying she has to go full Robin but anything would be more welcoming than her current, cold, robotic tone, no fault to her, she's just going by the teleprompter!

 

Story wise, TUNE DOWN THE POLITICS! Obviously if there is a breaking political story from overnight, then do that but if it's not breaking, viewers who are waking up early to catch the bus or drive to the big city to get to the job site don't want that, so don't give me two hours non-stop on what some politician said! 

 

In addition to the top stories and politics, make international stories part of the main news line up, and not a little "around the world in a minute" second or something. In July, the UK, a major US ally had a major election which resulted in a new party in power in a decade and how much attention CNN gave it domestically was just sad. Health stories, sports, and feel good stories are all good, and encouraged. Also, if we have to have a roundup segment, why not a local watch, short stories from CNN's partner stations from various sectors of the country.

 

Do all of that, or even just some, and ladies and gentlemen, you'd have a decent morning newscast!

Edited August 29, 2024 by ATLNewsExpert

[MediaZone4K 2172]

4 minutes ago, ATLNewsExpert said:

Anyone fancy Amanpour, First Move, or Quest Means Business on the main schedule?

I was more so thinking CNN International Newsroom. 

 

Same thing with CNBC, I've always wondered why they don't just simulcast CNBC World in the overnight and evenings rather than random reality shows and American Greed reruns.

Edited August 29, 2024 by MediaZone4K

[YourWorldToday 15]

12 hours ago, ATLNewsExpert said:

Anyone fancy Amanpour, First Move, or Quest Means Business on the main schedule?

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. 

 

12 hours ago, ATLNewsExpert said:

Also, if I can expand a little bit on This Morning, I feel CNN needs to find a balance, hard news with a warm, welcoming feel. First, get rid of the panels, save that for "Inside Politics". Second, to address the warm and inviting part, let Kasie get loose some!

 

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? 

 

12 hours ago, ATLNewsExpert said:

In addition to the top stories and politics, make international stories part of the main news line up, and not a little "around the world in a minute" second or something. In July, the UK, a major US ally had a major election which resulted in a new party in power in a decade and how much attention CNN gave it domestically was just sad.

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. 

[ATLNewsExpert 455]

Correction, JD Vance joins CNN live via a FOX News backdrop

[Spring Rubber 702]

3 hours ago, ATLNewsExpert said:

Correction, JD Vance joins CNN live via a FOX News backdrop

 

So what's the likely technical reason why this would happened? 

 

Could this be a flashcam studio that's shared by multiple networks, and the crew is responsible with changing the background between live hits?

 

Or could this be a setup in Vance's home / hotel room where he himself would have been responsible for changing the background between live hits?

[Georgie56 3303]

Brian Stelter is back.

 

 

[ATLNewsExpert 455]

32 minutes ago, Georgie56 said:

Brian Stelter is back.

 

 

Someone find that one The Office meme!

[mountainave 606]

He is returning as Chief Media Analyst.  Won't be hosting a show but will be providing analysis and running the Reliable Sources newsletter he started.  His return follows Oliver Darcy's departure.

[mouseboy33 93]

CNNI is a shadow its former self. They let go or many walked anchors and reporter are gone. So anchor and reporting team is quite thin. All the major reporters and anchors are all gone. The dont have really many reporters in Africa. I dont know of anyone is South America. YOu never seen any reports from their. The Hong Kong Broadcast site is basically shuttered. Krisit Lee Stout is apparently still there but there is are not programmes presented from their. Andrew Stevens is gone. Its like a ghost town. Becky Anderson seems to be the only person in Abu Dhabi and there is only her programme that comes from there.  And the channel has some original shows but alot of domestic simulcasts now. When a major story happens the International anchors are shelved in favour of the US domestic anchors.  CNN is nothing like it was. WHo remembers THe WORLD TODAY and INTERNATIONAL HOUR. Alll the actual news hours are gone in favour or political talking head bobble-fests every hour. They were so stupid to shut down Headline News. Now  you have 1 billion rolling news channels that stepped into that role. Like Scripps News and NewsNation. That was the dumbest move. They should have just reinstated the old school Headline News with the tight 30 minute wheel. "Around The World in 30 Minutes This is CNN HeadlIIIIINNNNE News."

 

Al Jazeera English is the international heavyweight now. And the BBC of course. BUt they recently merged their 2 news channels into one channel and only when there is signification domestic news, the UK will opt-out to a domestic stream. SkyNews is a big international player. But they are sister to NBC.

Edited September 4, 2024 by mouseboy33

[CraigViewer 77]

3 hours ago, mountainave said:

He is returning as Chief Media Analyst.  Won't be hosting a show but will be providing analysis and running the Reliable Sources newsletter he started.  His return follows Oliver Darcy's departure.

This is not terribly surprising, as I have seen more of Stelter on CNN in recent months.  He's polarizing to some, but Stelter is great at media analysis, which there is not enough of, in my opinion.

[C Block 1566]

He’s maybe not bad in small doses, and he was good writing for Cable Newser back in the day, but he was too much and too didactic in how much he was on CNN during the Zucker era. I also still maintain that media journalism is the laziest form of journalism.

[Jase 1047]

57 minutes ago, C Block said:

He’s maybe not bad in small doses, and he was good writing for Cable Newser back in the day, but he was too much and too didactic in how much he was on CNN during the Zucker era. I also still maintain that media journalism is the laziest form of journalism.

 

The trouble with some media columnists, analyst, etc... (as of late) is that they tend to be just as bias as those they accuse of showing biases. Personally, I didn't care much for Darcy (who at one point blamed Licht for CNN's ratings woes months AFTER he was gone). And I agree Shelter can be a lot. Hopefully he stays 'grounded'  and sticks to the newsletter and limited on-air appearances.

Edited September 4, 2024 by Jase

[YourWorldToday 15]

18 hours ago, mouseboy33 said:

CNNI is a shadow its former self. They let go or many walked anchors and reporter are gone. So anchor and reporting team is quite thin. All the major reporters and anchors are all gone. The dont have really many reporters in Africa. I dont know of anyone is South America. YOu never seen any reports from their. The Hong Kong Broadcast site is basically shuttered. Krisit Lee Stout is apparently still there but there is are not programmes presented from their. Andrew Stevens is gone. Its like a ghost town. Becky Anderson seems to be the only person in Abu Dhabi and there is only her programme that comes from there.  And the channel has some original shows but alot of domestic simulcasts now. When a major story happens the International anchors are shelved in favour of the US domestic anchors.  CNN is nothing like it was. WHo remembers THe WORLD TODAY and INTERNATIONAL HOUR. Alll the actual news hours are gone in favour or political talking head bobble-fests every hour. They were so stupid to shut down Headline News. Now  you have 1 billion rolling news channels that stepped into that role. Like Scripps News and NewsNation. That was the dumbest move. They should have just reinstated the old school Headline News with the tight 30 minute wheel. "Around The World in 30 Minutes This is CNN HeadlIIIIINNNNE News."

 

Al Jazeera English is the international heavyweight now. And the BBC of course. BUt they recently merged their 2 news channels into one channel and only when there is signification domestic news, the UK will opt-out to a domestic stream. SkyNews is a big international player. But they are sister to NBC.

You’re absolutely right, and it’s sad. It’s almost a glorified simulcast of domestic at the moment, and that’s sad. Much of the international output that does air comes from flash sets, which just makes it look cheap. And why do they only use London, which has IMO the most gorgeous set, for only 3 hours a day?! I remember when 7 or 8 hours a day came from London. Now look at it… sad!

 

Hong Kong is only used very occasionally, when there is no one available in ATL or LDN. Kristie never presents anymore, just appears as a reporter. 
 

Despite all this, for me, CNNI is still the best of a (very!) bad bunch. BBC News is just unwatchable since last year’s changes, and Sky News is just so DULL to watch. If you like your newscasters sat in front of a corridor, they’re your guys! I used to watch a lot of Al Jazeera but I think it’s become really biased in recent months. So I’m left with CNNI. I have hope that someone, somewhere, someday will a) remember CNNI exists and b) realise the potential it has to be profitable. You’d think, as the channel that INVENTED 24 hour news, that they’d know what they were doing. But it seems they don’t.

[MediaZone4K 2172]

I think CNN has three options. 1) tow the centrist line that NewsNation is doing but lacks the brand recognition to pull off. 2) Fully adopt the leftist partisanship that is making MSNBC more successful. 3) Ramp up international coverage to make it America's go to source for world news. 

 

Bonus ..or CNN could just go away

 

Again, CNN's top problem (in primetime at least)  is that they lack on air personality that can develop an audience and sell products like books and podcasts. Fox News and MSNBC excell at this.

 

But to CNN and Fox's credit they attempt to break away for headline coverage unlike MSNBC which is nearly all politics (Trump).

Edited September 4, 2024 by MediaZone4K

[tyrannical bastard 3948]

James Earl Jones has died.  For anyone who remembers CNN's glory days...you'll know it when he said "This...is CNN."

 

Sadly, he outlived the network as it was a viable news source thanks to Jeff Zucker onwards....

[ATLNewsExpert 455]

51 minutes ago, tyrannical bastard said:

James Earl Jones has died.  For anyone who remembers CNN's glory days...you'll know it when he said "This...is CNN."

 

Sadly, he outlived the network as it was a viable news source thanks to Jeff Zucker onwards....

Lovely tribute to THE LEGEND as seen here, just hearing that classic theme and Jones' line together again IS GOLD.