CNN

[FrancisC]

Chris Licht’s first day at CNN is today, here’s the memo he sent:

https://twitter.com/sarafischer/status/1...qmktWwdYyA

[alexw]

Robyn Curnow just announced her departure from CNN.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdEfxmdvRtn/

[Sky303]

Robyn Curnow just announced her departure from CNN.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdEfxmdvRtn/

That's disappointing, I liked her, it was shame that she was cut back and then her Sunday slot was canned for simulcasts during the pandemic. I wonder this also means people are getting out before the chance of layoffs happening, or this is the start.

[Newsroom]

Robyn Curnow just announced her departure from CNN.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdEfxmdvRtn/

That's disappointing, I liked her, it was shame that she was cut back and then her Sunday slot was canned for simulcasts during the pandemic. I wonder this also means people are getting out before the chance of layoffs happening, or this is the start.

I know we can't swear on the forum but what the actual F word is going on at CNNi? Hala, Cyril and now Robyn in less than 7 days? Surely the word has got out that the axeman cometh, or perhaps has been suggested previously - people are just sick and tired of being dropped in favour of coverage produced by CNN Domestic, which is currently carrying a majority of CNNi staffing, producers, correspondents etc...

[font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Chris Licht needs to follow through with Ted Turner's initial vision and build on what CNNi became. [/font]

[font='Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I'm [/font][font=Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]becoming lesser the fanboy by the day. [/font]

[ginnyfan]

Wow. I was actually thinking Robyn could get Hala's slot. Not surprising though, CNNI doesn't do weekends anymore and she was reduced to them after losing her weekday slot.

Who's next?

[Newsroom]

Wow. I was actually thinking Robyn could get Hala's slot. Not surprising though, CNNI doesn't do weekends anymore and she was reduced to them after losing her weekday slot.

Who's next?

It does actually, well, a couple of hours with Kim Brunhuber, but that's about it. I think we'll see more take the plunge, something's afoot for sure.

[ginnyfan]

^^^Of course, I know CNNI still does the European mornings, both on weekdays and weekends but that's only because it's overnight for US and domestic wants to have a couple of hours of live news when no one watches.

I'm surprised Kristie Lu Stout hasn't left yet. Lost her weekday slot and HK is reduced to nothing these days.

[wilmington]

Cost cutting? Well, in the end it's a US company, so you know where the priority is.

[Sky303]

She's done full announcement, hope she ends up somewhere great in the future.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdFskmlOffX/

[bkman1990]

I saw that World Sport with Don Riddell was back on CNNI in the past day or two.

[bfgarmy]

Goodness a number of big-name departures in such a short period at CNNI. It's beginning to feel like 2014 where you had a load of long-time CNNI names like Ralitsa Vassieva, Fionnuala Sweeney, Mari Ramos, Monita Rajpal, Zain Verjee and co departing the network. Just hope there aren't any more shock departures - would hate to see any more of the 'big hitters' like Rosemary Church, Becky Anderson or Michael Holmes leave the network.

Shame to see Robyn leave CNNI - I did find her a bit dry at first when she started on the IDesk but she really came into her own particularly on the weekend Newsroom editions which sadly the pandemic saw the demise of. And she's been at CNNI for years both as a correspondent and anchor.

I hope this isn't a sign that the end of CNNI is nigh. Despite how neglected it was under Zucker when CNNI did and does get the chance to do its own thing it's still a strong network with such superb correspondents and anchors.
Hopefully a positive from the departures may be that certain talents get a promotion as a result - Zain's show is strong enough to go to 2 hours and the likes of Lynda Kinkade, Amara Walker and Paula Newton are far too good to just be on cover duty.

[ginnyfan]

For me, one hour of Zain is one hour too much. Preferred Quest in that slot. Becky's cover, Eleni, is not much better. Christina MacFarlane's lack of experience in politics and non sport news shows every time she's on air.

The fact is, many hours of CNNI are filled with anchors that leave much to be desired, especially compared to those who were there before them. The 11.00 - 19.00 cet daytime hours are usually occupied by them (16.00-18.00 only when Becky's off).

[bfgarmy]

Does Eleni cover Becky that much? I can't say I normally catch Connect The World but it normally seemed to me that Lynda Kinkade is CNN's main choice of cover for many of their shows (whether that's Tonight, One World, Connect The World etc).

I'd disagree on Zain - I wasn't always a huge fan of her presenting and thought she could sometimes 'act out the news' a bit much a la Julia Chatterley.
However, the One World show is a very solid hour of news and what CNNI should be IMO. News from across the world (not just America or Europe) and no-nonsense. Proper international news. Whereas The Express to me always felt slightly unnecessary - it didn't really cover anything that wasn't in QMB or First Move a few hours before and after and it didn't run for an hour so you'd have canned programming taking up some of the hour.

And surely anchors improve over time? As I say back in 2014 the likes of Robyn Curnow, Amara Walker and Lynda Kinkade were the 'newbies' stepping into the shoes of the likes of Fionnuala, Ralita, Jim Clancy etc who'd been on CNNI for years and the former group all developed into excellent anchors. Who's to say the same won't be true here?

Also on the London side surely one of Isa Soares, Bianca Nobilo or Max Foster would step up following Hala's departure rather than it being Christina who effectively replaces Hala.

[ginnyfan]

Eleni is now Becky's main substitute.

I guess if Zain had a proper set, her show would be more watchable. Same with Julia.

Of course Christina is just filling in Hala's slot now, Bianca did it yesterday. I expect most London presenters will go through it eventually. Isa has settled in nicely in her morning hour so I don't expect her to move. Max would be the obvious choice, especially with his never debuting, ''new'' show.

[LivefromORL]

I guess if Zain had a proper set, her show would be more watchable. Same with Julia. 

Of course Christina is just filling in Hala's slot now, Bianca did it yesterday. I expect most London presenters will go through it eventually. Isa has settled in nicely in her morning hour so I don't expect her to move. Max would be the obvious choice, especially with his never debuting, ''new'' show.

I agree that Zain and Julia need to begin broadcasting from proper sets. CNN New York has 7 studios to choose from and keeping them in broom cupboards just isn’t acceptable. CNNi needs cohesion and jumping around the globe from flash set to flash set while production and news gathering still happens inside CNN Center doesn’t make sense. Even domestic could do with a return to CNN Center during the daytime. Surely it’s easier to have everyone producing the news under one roof. 

CNN New York Studios:
17N - Newsroom/Early Start
19X - Town Halls
19Y - New Day
19Z - Don Lemon/Erin Burnett
21L - AC360
21V - Reliable Sources Daily [mothballed]
21W - 5 Things [mothballed]