OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
CNN is continuing to make changes to its on-air lineup and personnel as the struggling network moves to attract more eyeballs.
On Monday, the network announced it named Phil Mattingly as CNN’s chief White House correspondent. Mattingly succeeds Kaitlin Collins, who recently moved to New York City and took an on-air morning show post alongside former prime-time host Don Lemon.
“Long line of big shoes to fill – and an absolute privilege to attack that challenge head-on alongside the best White House team in the game. Back to work,” tweeted Mattingly.
Mediaite said that Mattingly joined CNN in 2015 to cover the 2016 GOP presidential primaries. He has also been a network congressional correspondent.
Long line of big shoes to fill – and an absolute privilege to attack that challenge head on alongside the best White House team in the game.
Back to work. https://t.co/B3TzdVt9uc
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) November 28, 2022
Meanwhile, MJ Lee took Mattingly’s spot as CNN’s senior White House correspondent.
“So incredibly grateful and excited for my next chapter at CNN. It’s a dream to work with the most amazing team in the business,” she tweeted.
So incredibly grateful and excited for my next chapter at CNN. It's a dream to work with the most amazing team in the business.
And huge congrats to @Phil_Mattingly, a great colleague and friend, and so excited that @priscialva is officially joining us! https://t.co/RdaJAoXV6f
— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) November 28, 2022
“Lee joined CNN from Politico in 2015 and has covered the #MeToo movement, the 2020 presidential election, the Biden administration and President Joe Biden’strips abroad,” Mediaite reported.
Priscilla Alvarez, who was covering the issue of immigration, has joined the CNN White House journalist crew as well.
“Some personal news: I’m joining the amazing CNN White House team. Can’t wait to get started. I’ll also continue to cover immigration, so keep sending tips my way,” she tweeted.
Some personal news: I’m joining the amazing CNN White House team. Can’t wait to get started. I’ll also continue to cover immigration, so keep sending tips my way.
— Priscilla Alvarez (@priscialva) November 28, 2022
Alvarez joined CNN in 2019, coming over from The Atlantic, a far-left magazine.
While CNN continues to make changes to its program line-up and on-air staff, the network is still lagging far behind the cable news powerhouse, Fox News, and its personalities and hosts.
In particular, one of its newest hires, “Outnumbered” co-host Kayleigh McEneny, handily beats her cable news rivals in terms of viewership, and it’s not even close.
“Outnumbered’s 1.96 million total viewers far outpaced CNN and MSNBC, which brought in 638,000 and 685,000 viewers during the same time slot — respectively,” Mediaite reported on the numbers, adding that it’s “an impressive haul for a daytime show.”
“Outnumbered also far outperformed its competition in the key 25-54 age demographic, bringing in 256,000 demo viewers. CNN brought in 111,000 and MSNBC scored 83,000 demo viewers during the same hour,” the outlet’s report continued.
But McEnany’s show also outperformed all other shows on the rival networks, including some in primetime.
Fox News has been blowing away its cable news competitors, which now include Newsmax and NewsNation, for most of President Joe Biden’s term.
“Fox News’ lowest-rated show in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 age demographic nearly doubled MSNBC’s highest-rated show in the demo on Tuesday,” Mediaite reported in October. “Fox News not only swept the demo across all time slots, its lowest-rated show still outperformed CNN and MSNBC’s highest-rated program by a wide margin. Fox’s America Reports at 2 p.m. was its lowest performer in the demo, bringing in 221,000 viewers.”
“CNN’s top-rated show in the demo, meanwhile, was Erin Burnett’s OutFront — bringing in 147,000 demo viewers. MSNBC’s top-rated show was its 9 p.m. MSNBC Prime, which brought in 116,000 demo viewers, a little more than half of America Reports’ 221,000,” the report added.
In September, host Sean Hannity, who has been with Fox News since its launch in 1996, smashed another record after becoming a host for nearly 25 years and six months.
The network issued a statement celebrating the milestone, saying: “FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Sean Hannity has notched yet another industry milestone, becoming the longest-running primetime cable news host in television history. Today marks 25 consecutive years, six months, and 15 days at the helm of a primetime cable news program, breaking the previous longstanding record* held by the late talk show host Larry King. As cable news’ most enduring personality, Hannity has been a staple of FNC’s primetime lineup since the launch of the network in 1996, where his candid style and passionate commentary have made him one of the most prominent and influential voices in the country.”
“Sean’s authenticity and insightful commentary have created one of the most enduring connections with our audience and it’s been an honor to watch him over the years. A FOX News original, he has helped innovate the industry, and we are incredibly proud of his extraordinary success,” Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said of Hannity’s longevity and success.
Hannity said, “I am extremely grateful to FOX News Media and to our loyal, dedicated viewers whom I am proud to serve every night.”
