NEW YORK — CNN stated Kaitlan Collins will host a brand new hourlong present on the heart of the prime-time lineup, filling a slot left vacant because the firing of Chris Cuomo and because the community’s scores are at a low ebb.

Collins will start usually internet hosting the 9 p.m. Eastern present subsequent month, the community stated Wednesday, making the announcement throughout a Warner Discovery gross sales presentation to advertisers.

The ex-White House correspondent moderated CNN’s city corridor with former President Donald Trump final week, however was typically held innocent for criticism the occasion acquired.

“She is a smart and gifted journalist who we’ve all seen hold lawmakers and newsmakers accountable,” CNN Chairman Chris Licht stated in a memo to workers members. “She pushes politicians off their talking points, gets real answers — and as everyone who’s worked with her knows — breaks a lot of news.”

It’s the most important transfer by Licht, who grew to become CNN’s chief final yr, to place his imprint on the prime-time lineup, which has lagged far behind Fox News and MSNBC in viewership.

In persevering with Collins’ meteoric rise at CNN, Licht has one thing in widespread together with his predecessor Jeff Zucker, who observed and employed Collins full-time primarily based on her occasional visitor appearances on CNN. Collins had been working for The Daily Caller, a conservative web site launched by Tucker Carlson.

Licht had named Collins to host a revamped morning present with Poppy Harlow and Don Lemon that started final November. With Lemon fired and Collins elevated, Harlow will work with visitor anchors till morning adjustments are introduced within the months forward, Licht stated in his memo.

CNN has rotated visitor hosts within the night since December 2021, when Cuomo was fired after the community stated he was not forthcoming about assist supplied to his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. At the time, Cuomo hosted CNN’s top-rated present.

The community has struggled to realize traction with out him. On Monday, for instance, CNN averaged 454,000 viewers within the time slot, in comparison with Rachel Maddow’s 2.41 million viewers on MSNBC and Sean Hannity’s 1.97 million on Fox, the Nielsen firm stated.

Last Friday, with Anderson Cooper on obligation for a second hour at 9 p.m. and reaching an viewers of 293,000, CNN slipped behind the conservative Newsmax community and host Chris Plante’s “Right Squad” in viewership, Nielsen stated.

CNN final month introduced the pairing of Charles Barkley and Gayle King for an additional prime-time present beginning later this yr, though that might be as soon as every week.

To the advertisers, CNN tried to extend anticipation by displaying clips of King and Barkley. “She’s going to be a straight shooter,” Barkley stated. “You know I’m going to be a straight shooter.”

In his look, Licht emphasised CNN’s newsgathering and stated it was extra vital now than ever.

“We prioritize reporting over punditry and separate the news from the noise,” he stated.

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