CNN is planning to cancel its morning show, New Day, amid an ongoing shakeup under the network’s new leadership, The Daily Beast reports.
CNN said it will axe “New Day” and replace it with a “reimagined” morning show later this year helmed by primetime host Don Lemon, Poppy Harlow, and Kaitlan Collins.
“There is no stronger combination of talent than Don, Poppy and Kaitlan to deliver on our promise of a game-changing morning news program,” CEO Chris Licht said in a statement. “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.”
No firings:
The new cast will replace anchors John Berman and Brianna Keilar, who are expected to remain at the network in different roles.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the two of them for their commitment to New Day and to CNN,” Licht said in a memo. “I am incredibly appreciative of their flexibility during this time.”
The New Day production staff is also expected to be kept on for the new show.
Licht previously helped create MSNBC’s Morning Joe and is credited with reimagining CBS This Morning.
He served as the executive producer of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert before moving to CBS.
Shakeup:
The move comes amid a bigger shakeup at the network.
CNN recently canceled its long-running “Reliable Sources” weekend program, sending host Brian Stelter out the door.
The network also ousted White House correspondent John Harwood.
The shakeup comes after a merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia, which owns CNN.
The company bet big on the launch of its CNN+ streaming network, sinking $100 million into the launch only to shut it down weeks later amid little interest.
