CNN Overhauls Programming Lineup, Aiming to Lift Ratings – The New York Times

CNN has struggled to turn around its ratings this year as it has dealt with Mr. Licht’s rocky tenure. In July, the network lagged behind longtime ratings leader Fox News and MSNBC, its chief cable news rivals, in total viewership, according to Nielsen.

Some of the moves announced Monday had been contemplated under Mr. Licht. CNN had already zeroed in on Mr. Mattingly to serve as co-host of “CNN This Morning,” and he has made appearances on the show for months. Network executives had considered Ms. Hunt as a candidate for the 5 a.m. slot, according to one of the people with knowledge of their deliberations. CNN announced earlier this year that Ms. Coates would focus solely on the 11 p.m. slot before pulling back on that decision.

But other programming changes announced Monday were not contemplated under Mr. Licht’s leadership, including new shows hosted by Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international anchor, and Pamela Brown, CNN’s chief investigative correspondent. One of the people with knowledge of the internal discussions at the network said CNN’s new leaders reset their programming strategy after Mr. Licht’s departure, running a process that included research and testing.

CNN has been trying to increase the diversity of its on-air talent. The network is adding two Black journalists — Ms. Phillip and Ms. Coates — to its evening lineup. And it has made Victor Blackwell the anchor of its 8 a.m. hour on Saturday and promoting Manu Raju to anchor of “Inside Politics.” But the absence of Mr. Lemon means that the network’s flagship morning program will be without a journalist of color.

CNN’s weekend lineup is also being reorganized. Chris Wallace, the former host of “Fox News Sunday” who joined CNN to start a show on a streaming service, CNN+, that was shut in the early days of Mr. Licht’s tenure, will anchor the network’s 10 a.m. hour on Saturday. Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent, will anchor the 11 a.m. hour. They will be preceded by Mr. Blackwell at 8 a.m. and Michael Smerconish at 9 a.m.

Elsewhere, much of CNN’s prominent talent have remained in place. Anderson Cooper, a CNN stalwart, will continue to anchor “Anderson Cooper 360” at 8 p.m. Jake Tapper, CNN’s anchor and chief Washington correspondent, will continue to host “The Lead” at 4 p.m. and co-host “State of the Union,” a Sunday public affairs show, with the network’s chief political correspondent, Dana Bash.