TV personalities Gayle King and Charles Barkley will headline a brand new prime-time weekly CNN present, “King Charles,” debuting within the fall, the community introduced Saturday because it tries to engineer a turnaround amid tumbling rankings.
CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht stated in an announcement that the present “can be an thrilling new method we’re delivering culturally related programming and distinctive views to our viewers, from two extremely dynamic personalities.”
Licht stated King will proceed to anchor “CBS Mornings,” and former NBA star Barkley will proceed his present position at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports activities.
Showing on TNT to debate the brand new present, King stated she hadn’t been searching for an extra job however relished the prospect to work with Barkley.
“What I believe is so nice for the each of us is that it’s reside TV,” she stated. “To me, reside TV is like working and not using a web. So no matter occurs, occurs. I like that.”
The duo stated they’d speak about politics however that the present wouldn’t be political.
“We don’t wish to say, ‘We’re a liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat,’” Barkley stated. “That’s one of many issues that’s already ruined tv normally.”
Cable information rankings are down throughout the board in comparison with 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was contemporary within the information. CNN’s dip has been most dramatic — 61% in prime time in March.
CNN is a yr into new company administration with Warner Bros. Discovery, which employed ex-CBS producer Licht to run the community.
Licht’s revamp of “CNN This Morning” final fall was plagued with unhealthy publicity within the wake of co-host Don Lemon’s ill-advised reference to a girl’s “prime” years, which offended many.