CNN Has Prime-Time Anchors Locked In Ahead of Paramount Deal
variety.com • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Paramount Skydance executives have agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, but existing contracts with CNN’s primetime anchors could complicate programming changes under new ownership.
- CNN recently renewed contracts with key anchors Abby Phillip, Anderson Cooper, and Kaitlan Collins, ensuring their presence through the upcoming midterm elections and beyond.
- The anchors hold additional roles beyond their evening shows, enhancing their influence and making major lineup changes more challenging for new management.
- CNN staff express concern that Paramount CEO David Ellison might impose leadership changes, such as assigning Bari Weiss to oversee CNN, potentially impacting editorial direction and talent stability.
- With midterm elections approaching, CNN is expected to rely heavily on its primetime trio, anticipating a modest increase in ad revenue driven by heightened political coverage.
