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CNN refreshes prime-time lineup to improve ratings

CNN is revamping its prime-time lineup as the cable news network hopes to improve its sagging ratings.

The refreshed schedule keeps Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett and Kaitlan Collins in the prime-time line-up while adding Abby Phillip and Laura Coats later in the schedule.



The new prime-time schedule on CNN follows below (all times Eastern):

  • 6 p.m. ET: “The Situation Room” with Wolf Blitzer
  • 7 p.m.: “Erin Burnett Out Front”
  • 8 p.m.: “Anderson Cooper 360”
  • 9 p.m.: “The Source” with Kaitlan Collins
  • 10 p.m.: “CNN NewsNight” with Abby Phillip
  • 11 p.m.: “Laura Coates Live”

CNN is also reconfiguring its weekend schedule, with Christiane Amanpour and Chris Wallace bringing hour-long versions of their shows to the domestic CNN channel for the first time.



The new Saturday schedule on CNN follows below (all times Eastern):

  • 6 a.m.: “CNN This Morning Weekends”
  • 8 a.m.: “First of All” with Victor Blackwell
  • 9 a.m.: “Smerconish”
  • 10 a.m.: “The Chris Wallace Show”
  • 11 a.m.: “Christiane Amanpour”
  • 12 p.m.: “CNN Newsroom” with Fredricka Whitfield
  • 4 p.m.: “CNN Newsroom” with Jim Acosta

CNN’s Sunday schedule will be adding a new show at 11 a.m., with the new schedule following below (all times Eastern):



  • 6 a.m.: “CNN This Morning Weekends”
  • 9 a.m.: “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper & Dana Bash
  • 10 a.m.: “Fareed Zakaria GPS”
  • 11 a.m.: “Inside Politics Sunday” with Manu Raju
  • 12 p.m.: “State of the Union” (rebroadcast)
  • 1 p.m.: “Fareed Zakaria GPS” (rebroadcast)
  • 2 p.m.: “CNN Newsroom” with Fredricka Whitfield
  • 5 p.m.: “CNN Newsroom” with Jim Acosta
  • 8 p.m.: “The Whole Story” with Anderson Cooper

“One of CNN’s key differentiators is our deep roster of experienced journalists, reporters and storytellers,” CNN executives Amy Entelis, David Leavy, Virginia Moseley and Eric Sherling said in a joint statement on Monday. “They are extraordinarily talented and share the same CNN sensibility: versatility, determination and an inquisitive and empathetic approach to reporting the news. By expanding the range and depth of our programming lineup across multiple dayparts, we are strengthening our reporting excellence throughout the schedule, elevating our ability to tell great stories across platforms, and doubling down on CNN’s position as the most trusted name in news.”

CNN has not been the domestic leader in cable ratings, though: Last month, CNN earned an average of 117,000 viewers in the key demographic during its prime-time block, about 64,000 viewers fewer than Fox News, which was at the top of the ratings pile.

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Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally-recognized, award-winning journalist who has covered the business of media, technology, radio and television for more than 11 years. He is the publisher of The Desk and contributes to Know Techie, Digital Content Next and StreamTV Insider. He previously worked for Thomson Reuters, the Walt Disney Company, McNaughton Newspapers and Tribune Broadcasting. Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn by clicking or tapping here.
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