Even more changes are on the way for CNN — this time, they involve the network’s morning program.
On Thursday, CNN revealed that it will launch a “reimagined” morning show with three co-anchors to replace “New Day” — the current morning show.
In a press release, the network revealed that Don Lemon, Poppy Harlow, and Kaitlin Collins will be the co-anchors for the show.
CNN’s CEO Chris Licht said, “There is no stronger combination of talent than Don, Poppy and Kaitlan to deliver on our promise of a game-changing morning news program.”
“They are each uniquely intelligent, reliable and compelling; together they have a rare and palpable chemistry. Combined with CNN’s resources and global newsgathering capabilities, we will offer a smart, bold and refreshing way to start the day,” he added.
The New York Times reports that the network hopes to have its new morning show running by late October.
. @donlemon, @PoppyHarlowCNN and @kaitlancollins to Anchor New CNN Morning Show Debuting Later This Year: https://t.co/pOYchw93uC pic.twitter.com/7qplGoVaCd
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) September 15, 2022
“This demonstrates our commitment to the morning and how important it is to me,” Licht told the Times.
He added, “The show will set the tone of the entire day, and it will set the tone for the news organization.”
Licht described the new show as a “mass appeal play.”
Lemon currently hosts a show during the 10 p.m. hour, which means that Licht will have to find a replacement for that time slot as well as the 9 p.m. time slot that opened up after Chris Cuomo was fired.
In the meantime, “New Day” will continue to air and be hosted by John Berman and Brianna Keilar. The Times notes that the two co-anchors will be given different roles at the network once the new show launches.
The existing morning show has the smallest viewership among all the cable networks.
In August, CNN announced that Brian Stelter would be leaving the network and “Reliable Sources,” its longest-running show, would be canceled.
The changes come as Licht has shared that he hopes to tone down partisanship at the network and focus on newsgathering.
During an editorial meeting after the news of Stelter’s departure, Licht reportedly told CNN employees, “This is a time of change, and I know that it’s unsettling.”
“There will be more changes and you might not understand it or like it all,” he added.