Promos Released For 'CNN This Morning'

CNN, the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news channel, has released a suite of fresh promos for “CNN This Morning” that show hosts Don Lemon, Poppy Harlow and Kaitlin Collins hanging out over coffee, a first look at the trio and their chemistry as the network bets on a new A.M. format to help vie more competitively in one of the most competitive time periods for TV news, reports Variety.

“We want familiarity in the morning,” says Ryan Kadro, the CNN development executive who has been working on the program. “We really want the audience to feel at home with the show.” The new program kicks off November 1.

In a marked change from how CNN typically presents its programs, the new promos show the hosts chatting in a restaurant, reflecting on how they know each other and what morning news audiences crave. Collins acknowledges she was in middle school when Lemon first appeared on CNN, and on-air graphics emphasize the trio’s banter. “It’s really all about the conversation,” says Lemon, clad in a white jacket and white turtleneck.

Gone are the Zuckerian flourishes of CNN’s recent past: no warnings about taking on the administration or holding newsmakers to account.

Promo drop for our all-new morning show: CNN This Morning with @donlemon @PoppyHarlowCNN & @kaitlancollins. Coming November 1st! pic.twitter.com/JIj3IfF4TS

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) October 20, 2022

The three anchors may not adhere to the rules of morning television. “You’re going to see a little more relaxed approach from these hosts,” says Kadro, and not only from their conversational tone. “What they are wearing that day is probably close to what they are going to show up in,” he says.

“CNN This Morning” is one of the bigger programming salvos by CNN under its new leader, Chris Licht, one of the driving forces behind the creation of recent A.M. standouts like MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and CBS’ “CBS This Morning.” Kadro also worked as an executive producer at “CBS This Morning.” CNN’s current morning program, “New Day,” was meant to help set the network’s agenda for the day ahead — a phrase often used by executives in the past. Now “CNN This Morning” seems poised to give viewers a look at all the stories taking place around the world before the audience needs to set off on its daily routine.