Ali Velshi to get 5 am show on CNN…

TVNewser’s Alex Weprin scoops that Ali Velshi is going to have a new 5am show on CNN. This all but guarantees that Velshi will be permanent on American Morning. Note the part of Weprin’s story that doesn’t make the case that Erin Burnett is getting the 1-3 slot and that it will continue to be anchored by a rotation of fill ins. If that’s accurate, it’s pretty significant. It likely means Burnett is going to early prime or prime. Or they’ll move shifts around so that Burnett comes in at 3, though I think that’s unlikely.

A name and launch date have not been set, but it will likely launch at the end of June or early July. Staffers have already been lined up, with most of the production to come out of Atlanta, while Velshi will be based out of New York.

The program is being described as a stage-setter for the day ahead, while also giving viewers the news that morning, and highlights from the night before. In addition to hosting the 5 AM show, Velshi will continue on as co-anchor of “American morning.”