Cable news giant CNN initiated a new "experiment" last week, introducing podcast-inspired set changes to two of its prominent programs, "Anderson Cooper 360" and "The Lead." The move, which saw anchors present from more informal settings with large desk microphones, has been met with significant backlash from within the media industry, including rival journalists and CNN's own staff.
The changes were first observed with Anderson Cooper, who began anchoring his primetime show, "Anderson Cooper 360," not from his usual studio, but from a table typically used by CNN data analyst Harry Enten within the newsroom. Cooper adopted a noticeably more relaxed appearance, appearing without a jacket and with his sleeves rolled up, speaking into a prominent desk microphone. In a notable departure from standard broadcast practice, one panel discussion featured Cooper and his guests utilizing a physical map to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, contrasting with the interactive digital maps often employed on such programs. These changes for Cooper's show extended into the following week.
Following Cooper's lead, Jake Tapper also adopted a similar approach for the first hour of "The Lead" on Friday. Tapper anchored from his personal office, similarly accompanied by a large desk microphone, and appeared tieless. He directly addressed viewers regarding the shift, explaining, “So, you’re probably wondering what’s going on, why we’re in my office for the first hour of ‘The Lead’ today. So, it’s an experiment. This is my actual desk where I do my actual work, not the desk in the studio. And we thought we would bring you into the space where we and my team do our actual journalism and plan the show every day.” Tapper's office, adorned with memorabilia from past presidential campaigns, served as the backdrop, with guests seated on a couch adjacent to his desk. Unlike Cooper’s more extended trial, Tapper’s office-based segment concluded after the initial hour of Friday’s broadcast.
A person familiar with CNN’s internal discussions indicated that the network views the podcast format as a "natural environment" for Cooper. With CNN currently engaged in special programming, the opportunity arose to experiment with "different deliveries" for news content, according to this source. The network's intention appears to be an attempt to modernize its presentation and potentially appeal to audiences familiar with the burgeoning independent podcast landscape.
However, the reaction from the broader media industry has been overwhelmingly negative. Independent YouTuber Keith Edwards, commenting on the changes, stated, “It’s kinda like rearranging furniture in a burning house. It shows they fundamentally don’t understand why audiences are leaving.” Another insider, speaking to the Status newsletter, suggested that CNN is "a little late to the party" and that the initiative smacks of "desperation." A former executive echoed these sentiments, expressing skepticism that "podcast microphones and behind-the-scenes shots are enough to move the needle" in terms of audience engagement.
Even within CNN, the "experiment" has generated doubts. One CNN insider, speaking to Fox News Digital, acknowledged the need for change, saying, “The network has been static for far too long. I applaud the experimentation. The question is whether this is the experiment you want to be running.” A second CNN staffer described the changes as an effort by the network to "be something we aren’t." This staffer further elaborated, explaining that "Podcasts are a place people go not because of the look, but because of the product," drawing a comparison to figures like Joe Rogan, noting, “He’s smart and all those great things, but ultimately he’s not trying to be a journalist.” The staffer concluded that what is truly needed is "looser personalities, not just looser sets."
Former cable news personalities who have since transitioned to independent platforms also weighed in. Piers Morgan, a former CNN host, remarked on a broadcast with former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, “They are trying to look like us. We are unencumbered spirits. They cannot say the same. They are still living the old, mainstream media television rules.” Kmele Foster, also appearing on Kelly’s program, observed, “The fact that they are trying so hard to kind of lean into the podcaster aesthetic is telling. What they have to understand is that this is not just about aesthetics.” Chris Cillizza, a former CNN digital journalist now operating independently, asserted that "the fact that CNN thinks putting mics in front of its anchors" fundamentally misrepresents why audiences have migrated to independent media. Former CNN anchor Chuck Todd further articulated this sentiment, telling TheWrap that the key differentiator for independent media is that “no one’s scripting them. No one’s telling them what to say, telling them how they should say it.” The collective criticism suggests a consensus that the current changes may be superficial and fail to address the deeper reasons for shifts in media consumption habits.
