Last weekend, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz appeared on CNN with Michael Smerconish to discuss several topics, including his amendment to allow C-SPAN cameras in the House.
Afterward, Gaetz shared a link to the Rumble video of his interview and tweeted that the embattled cable network “is clearly changing.” Gaetz described Smerconish as a “serious host” who asked, “serious questions about serious issues.”
He added that the interview wasn’t “propaganda for either side.” Whether or not Gaetz is right about CNN remains to be seen. Since taking over the reins of the network, CNN’s president Chris Licht has made significant changes in both personnel and programming.
One of his first actions as president was shutting down CNN’s streaming service CNN+ less than a month after it launched. More recently, Licht implemented a series of cuts to the network’s newsroom amid budget shortfalls.
In addition to cutting costs and increasing profits, Licht has been tasked with boosting CNN’s cratering ratings. To that end, he has been pushing to change CNN’s editorial reputation in which journalism and news reporting took a back seat to partisan punditry and sensationalism.
Earlier this month, CNN announced a series of planned personnel and programming changes “in the coming months” that will significantly alter its daytime programming.
CNN’s weekday 9 to noon block will soon be a stand-alone program produced out of New York and co-anchored by John Berman, Kate Bolduan, and Sara Sidner.
The weekday 1 pm to 4 pm slot will be another stand-alone program out of CNN’s DC bureau co-anchored by Brianna Keilar, Boris Sanchez, and Jim Sciutto. John King’s “Inside Politics” will remain unchanged in its weekday noon times lot.
Alisyn Camerota, who has been filling in the host of CNN’s 10 pm timeslot since Don Lemon was moved to mornings, will remain in that primetime program while Laura Coates hosts the 11 pm slot.
Victor Blackwell will move to anchor the 10 am hour on Saturdays and will also co-anchor “CNN This Morning Weekend” with Amara Walker out of Atlanta.
Former White House reporter Jim Acosta will pick up additional anchoring duties on the weekends as well.
According to Chris Licht, the cable network is “leaning into our greatest strengths” by giving anchors “the room to be more authentic” while “showcasing our unparalleled news gathering operation.”
