{"id":6079,"date":"2026-08-17T20:11:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T20:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=6079"},"modified":"2026-08-17T20:11:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T20:11:08","slug":"cnn-has-prime-time-anchors-locked-in-ahead-of-paramount-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=6079","title":{"rendered":"CNN Has Prime-Time Anchors Locked In Ahead of Paramount Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tExecutives at Paramount Skydance have agreed to pay billions to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, but they may have to do a little more work if they want to put their own stamp on the programming at CNN.<\/p>\n

Read more CNN Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister to Host Pre-Emmy Interview Series (TV News Roundup)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tCNN recently struck a new deal with Abby Phillip, anchor of the raucous 10 p.m. roundtable \u201cNewsNight\u201d that keeps al three of the anchors who host its primetime shows at the news giant for the foreseeable future, according to three people familiar with the matter. <\/p>\n

\nAnderson Cooper, who anchors the 8 p.m. slot on CNN, renewed terms last year and it\u2019s widely understood that Kaitlan Collins, who leads the \u201cThe Source\u201d at 9 p.m. is working under a contract that has a few more years on left on it. Phillip is the last of the troika to renew alliances with the Warner Bros. Discovery news outlet.<\/p>\n

\n\tA CNN spokesperson said the network does not comment on contracts with talent.<\/p>\n

\n\tCNN was likely dealing with each anchor\u2019s renewal as individual contracts opened, rather than deliberately planning a move to slow down a new owner\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n

\n\tNonetheless, having contracts in place could mean that Paramount will have to do some additional maneuvering if it wants to rework CNN\u2019s programming lineup or rearrange the anchors who fill it. To be sure, a network can easily move an anchor if it wants \u2014 CNN forced Don Lemon to move out of his late-night roost on the schedule in 2022 to an ill-conceived morning-show concept after Warner was put under the control of CEO David Zaslav \u2014 but the new contracts mean that the anchors have some guarantees about the money they are owed in case changes are made.<\/p>\n

Read more \u2018Industry\u2019 Season 5 Adds Seven to Cast, Including Cary Elwes, Jessica Brown Findlay, Dianna Agron<\/a><\/p>\n

\nCNN staffers have been on edge as the Paramount deal moved closer to consummation. There is palpable concern that Paramount CEO David Ellison will assign oversight of CNN to Bari Weiss, a digital entrepreneur and opinion writer installed last year as editor in chief of CBS News. Her tenure at the news division has generated significant scrutiny and controversy, and has included the ouster of top producers and correspondents at the long-running newsmagazine \u201c60 Minutes,\u201d viewed for years as one of the jewels of the CBS lineup. There are growing fears within CNN\u00a0that the Paramount acquisition would spur programming and talent changes that could be seen as being made to placate the Trump administration, rather than holding it to account. Inside CNN,\u00a0there is a strong concern\u00a0that Paramount\u2019s executives \u201cdon\u2019t know or don\u2019t care\u201d about managing the news giant for profit or for the future, according to one staffer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tAll three anchors have taken on responsibilities beyond their evening-host duties. Cooper hosts the Sunday deep-dive program \u201cThe Whole Story\u201d as well as \u201cAll There Is,\u201d a podcast that examines grief. Collins anchors a primetime show while also working as the network\u2019s chief White House correspondent. Phillip also hosts a Saturday-morning program, \u201cTable for Five,\u201d which, like \u201cNewsNight,\u201d is presented in a roundtable format. Phillip recently took up digital duties, hosting the new program \u201cConfessions and Obsessions,\u201d which focuses more on guests\u2019 personal interests than their political leanings. <\/p>\n

\n\tSigning Phillip to a new contract also means that CNN will likely rely heavily on the trio as the midterm elections approach. Elections can bring an injection of new viewership to news networks, as the drama around the race for federal office often lures people beyond CNN\u2019s immediate crowd. CNN\u2019s ad revenue is projected to increase about 4% to $510.4 million in 2026, according to Kagan, a market-research unit of S&P Global Intelligence, compared with $489.8 million in 2025.<\/p>\n

Read more Paramount Requests States and WGA Be Required to Post $1.9 Billion Bond to Cover Financial Losses While Warner Bros. Merger Is Stuck on Hold Pending Trial<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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