CNN AM Replacement Announcement Next Week?
Page Six again…
Ashleigh Banfield may have let the cat out of the bag on CNN’s latest shake-up. The former MSNBC host e-mailed her ex-colleagues Thursday to hint at a big announcement next week. Banfield is slated to host an early-morning show on the network from 5 to 7 a.m. As we reported last month, the network plans to reformat its “American Morning” show, with special correspondent Soledad O’Brien returning as host from 7 to 9 a.m. A CNN rep didn’t get back to us.
Inside Cable News 
October 30, 2011 at 8:01 am
Changing hosts is a good idea if you’re thinking about offering a ‘different’ product. However, changing hosts and leaving the same format will provide the same results.
I have no doubt Ken Jautz can get CNN domestic feeling respectable again but not sure bringing back Soledad will do the trick. Is she willing to change her dead pan delivery? (I think she’s a good reporter.) That said, she’s probably better solo than paired with anyone.
October 30, 2011 at 10:45 am
I’m not sure Ms. Banfield is the right move either, but who knows. And where does this leave the anchor who’s leaving a Chicago station to join CNN?
And what about the current morning hosts? Ali Velshi seems pretty good in the morning. I suggested that he be moved there from CNN Newsroom, and I remember Spud thinking that was a bad idea. Maybe it was.
October 30, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Nobody wants to see Al Velshi first thing in the morning.
October 31, 2011 at 1:38 am
If Ali was moved to AM earlier while other higher journalists were there then he would be more relevant now, like cooper is. I thought he was going to be paired with Kiran over Roberts. Soledad I welcome back to mornings, as there needs to be more experience or known presence anchoring CNN’s main shows. From the sound (and my guess) of it- the first show will be headlines and then the second with O’ Brien will be more interview based. That’s how I would do it, and Soledad’s greatest strength is interviewing. Here on the east coast the 5-7AM hours is either wanting world headlines or local headlines. 7AM on MS and FOX news have better guests on their show, kinda when the shows really start despite 6AM start, and if your not into Today Show/GMA crap your going to want harder news. I think the second shift is going to be interviews and breaking news focused, providing the opposite of the Parisian chatfests on fox and MS. May not provide huge ratings, but a great interview and breaking news will always lead people to your network in times of crisis.
October 31, 2011 at 2:28 am
I’m glad they’re bringing Soledad back to dayside. Marginalizing her to “ethnic” specials on the weekend was a huge waste of talent. I don’t give a damn what her racial background is..she’s smart, and good at the interview, as you say. Banfield and Soledad are both DVR worthy for me on the West Coast, which is more than I can say for that lousy American Morning.