CNN will air interviews and town halls during its 9:00 p.m. time slot instead of relying on one host to fill it.
Instead of filling the time slot with the usual single-anchor format, the news network will explore other programming strategies, according to Variety.
CNN announced Monday that Jake Tapper will interview Bill Maher, host of “Real Time” on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m.
.@JakeTapper sits down for a one-on-one with late night host @BillMaher on everything from cancel culture to the 2024 elections. This CNN Primetime interview airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET pic.twitter.com/3K73zK7pEQ
— CNN (@CNN) February 28, 2023
The slot will then see Laura Coates lead a discussion on Wednesday examining the Murdaugh double murder, and will feature defense and prosecution analysts and criminal trial veterans.
Sara Sidner will host “a CNN Primetime event” on Thursday, with White House correspondent Arlette Saenz interviewing First Lady Jill Biden during her Africa visit. Topics will include President Biden’s age and re-election.
Rotating personnel have filled the vacant 9:00 p.m. slot since CNN terminated Chris Cuomo for a conflict of interest. (RELATED: Chris Cuomo Says He Was ‘Going To Kill Everybody’ And Himself After CNN Firing)
The former “CNN Primetime” host breached journalistic ethics by helping his brother, disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, fight off accusations related to a sexual harassment scandal.
CNN’s change in programming comes as the network struggles for ratings, particularly among viewers in the 25-54 demographic. A report claims CNN will finish February with its smallest monthly audience of this demographic since July 2014.