CNN Shuffles Morning, Prime-Time Lineups Amid Sagging Ratings

livemint.com:

CNN is making several changes to its morning, prime-time and weekend shows, a major programming overhaul in years that comes as the network seeks to counter a multiyear ratings slump. The network said Abby Phillip, the anchor of “Inside Politics Sunday," would anchor its 10 p.m. slot.

Laura Coates, a CNN anchor and chief legal analyst, will host the 11 p.m. hour. CNN’s morning show, which had been relaunched less than a year ago only to see two of its three co-hosts depart in recent months, is getting a new co-host.

Phil Mattingly, CNN’s chief White House correspondent, is joining Poppy Harlow, who has co-hosted the show since last year. Harlow’s former morning co-hosts, Don Lemon and Kaitlan Collins, both left the 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

program earlier this year. Collins became anchor of CNN’s 9 p.m. hour, and Lemon was ousted.

The changes also elevated several journalists of color, with Phillip and Coates hosting two prominent evening shows. The latest shuffle comes after a tumultuous period for CNN, which has seen several high-profile moves among its top ranks both in front and behind the camera. CNN’s longtime president, Jeff Zucker, resigned from the network last year, citing a failure to disclose a consensual relationship with a close colleague.

His successor, Chief Executive Chris Licht, stepped down in June after a bumpy tenure of little over a year. Kasie Hunt will become anchor of “Early Start," a 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.

show. Hunt joins from MSNBC, where she anchored the 5 a.m. program “Way Too Early." Pamela Brown, a CNN anchor and chief investigative correspondent, will anchor the network’s 3 p.m.

hour. Monday’s announcement also included changes to the network’s weekend lineup. Manu Raju, CNN’s chief congressional