Posted on 11/04/2013 7:11:41 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Mediaite has learned from reliable sources that CNN’s sister network HLN is preparing for a significant amount of staff layoffs and show cancellations.
According to our sources, much of the network’s dayside programming is going to be replaced with more entertainment-like material. Those changes will lead to staffing and programming changes.
Changes have long been in the works at the network.
Readers may recall how new CNN Worldwide chief Jeff Zucker reorganized HLN leadership this summer with the letting-go of EVP Scot Safon. SpikeTV founder Albie Hecht was subsequently brought in to lead the network after that. But ratings have yet to pick up in a significant way as they did during high-profile legal events like Jodi Arias‘ and George Zimmerman‘s respective murder trials.
UPDATE, 4:16 p.m. ET: Mediaite has obtained an internal memo written by Hecht making the changes official. According to his email to staff, much of HLN’s dayside programming is shifting around. He also alludes to layoffs, saying “A handful of our family members will be impacted by today’s news.” Full memo below:
Team:
Today, I’m announcing programming changes to HLN’s dayside line-up. Effective November 18, these changes serve as a principal step as we continue to re-position the brand.
HLN’s new 6 a.m.-12 midnight schedule is as follows:
6 a.m.-12 noon ET: Morning Express with Robin Meade 12 noon-1 p.m. ET: Showbiz Tonight (repeat from previous day) 1-5 p.m. ET: News Now 5-6 p.m. ET: What Would You Do? 6-7 p.m. ET: Showbiz Tonight (LIVE, 5th floor NY newsroom) 7-8 p.m. ET: Jane Velez-Mitchell 8-9 p.m. ET: Nancy Grace 9-10 p.m. ET: Dr. Drew On Call (M-Th, Mystery Detectives Fri) 10-11 p.m. ET: HLN After Dark (M-Th, Mystery Detectives Fri) 11 p.m.-12 midnight: Showbiz Tonight (6 p.m. replay)
The programming shift also includes new assignments for some of our talent. News Now will be anchored by a rotation of Mike Galanos, Susan Hendricks, Christi Paul and Lynn Berry. In the coming weeks, we’ll have additional announcements about other talent impacted by these changes.
While change is necessary to evolve HLN, it is also difficult. A handful of our family members will be impacted by today’s news. I know that I speak for all of us when I offer a heartfelt thank you and my sincere appreciation for their commitment.
In the six weeks since I’ve joined HLN, I’ve been continually impressed with your professionalism and passion. We have a real opportunity to grow the HLN brand; let’s get started.
Albie
Read more Mediaite analysis of this news HERE.
They might also want to get back to news. HLN has been Court TV for the past few years.
Which defeats the whole point of Headline News...
Robin Meade is the best host that HLN has got. I wish that she’d get out of there and go somewhere with a higher profile.
As of 11/7/13 will mark the 1 year anniversary of no network news
HLN started as a sister station to CNN, CNN had talk and gabfests and stuff but HLN stuck to the 15-30 minute straight news format ALL DAY LONG for a long time. They even sold the rights to local broadcast stations to carry a half-hour newscast now and then. It was cheap, the video reports were shorter but they all came from CNN. It didn’t matter how few watched, because it was cheap.
Then they changed it....
Maybe...Hard Lies News
Hussein Love-fest News
Heavy Liberal News
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