CNN Names Kaitlan Collins New Prime Time Anchor

CNN has named Kaitlan Collins as anchor of a yet-to-be-named prime time hour that will debut later this summer. “Kaitlan will showcase why she’s one of the top reporters and interviewers in the game,” said CNN chief executive Chris Licht in a statement released by the network. “She is a smart and gifted journalist who we’ve all seen hold lawmakers and newsmakers accountable. She pushes politicians off their talking points, gets real answers – and as everyone who’s worked with her knows – breaks a lot of news.”

Collins will take over the 9 p.m. ET hour which has been without a permanent host since CNN fired Chris Cuomo in 2021. She currently serves as co-host of CNN This Morning, which debuted last year alongside co-hosts Don Lemon and Poppy Harlow. The show has struggled to generate much momentum in the ratings—and has suffered from distractions, most recently the firing of co-host Don Lemon, who made sexist remarks on air and reportedly generated tension with his co-hosts—tension that was occasionally apparent to viewers.

“Kaitlan will transition off CNN This Morning, which will be led by Poppy Harlow alongside a rotation of CNN guest anchors,” Licht said. “We will have more information and announcements to share in the months ahead but in the meantime CTM is in good hands with Poppy.”

The format of the new hour has yet to be revealed, but Licht told CNN staff Wednesday that the network would be “opening up a nationwide search for an executive producer to work with our development team to build this program and help it take shape.”

Licht said he expects the program to showcase Collins’ talents, saying “every night, she’ll bring fresh reporting that adds new perspective to the biggest stories of the day. Kaitlan will expose uncovered angles and challenge conventional wisdom to make sure viewers are seeing a story from every side. When she doesn’t know the answer, she asks – and she won’t stop until she gets them.”