CNN Revises Its Prime-Time Lineup

A new beginning awaits CNN this evening.

According to a story by Lauren E. Schuker at wsj.com, in yet another reworking of the cable-news network's prime-time lineup, the Time Warner Inc. unit will on Monday unveil a revamped version of its"Parker Spitzer" show—minus co-host Kathleen Parker.

CNN says its new 8 p.m. program—"In the Arena"—will be an ensemble show, with former New York state Gov. Eliot Spitzer and other commentators.

The course correction comes as the network considers other changes to its evening lineup to reverse steep audience declines. According to people familiar with the situation, CNN is looking closely at its 7 p.m. hour, which features a political program hosted by John King. The network also continues to express interest in "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric, whose deal with CBS Corp. expires near the start of June.

CNN lost more than one-third of its evening viewers in 2010. It has trailed two rivals, News Corp.'s Fox News and Comcast Corp.'s MSNBC, by significant margins in the evening for years.

"Parker Spitzer" began in October as part of a broader reinvention at CNN that also included a new 9 p.m. show, "Piers Morgan Tonight." Mr. Morgan, a former tabloid editor, succeeded Larry King, whose show ended after 25 years on CNN. "Piers" has drawn about 943,000 total viewers on average since its launch in January, up 44% from Mr. King's fourth-quarter average, according to data provided by CNN.

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