Don Lemon says new CNN gig is a ‘promotion’ despite losing primetime show

Don Lemon sounded off Thursday night time, insisting that his new job co-hosting CNN’s morning present is a “promotion” — even because the community axed his primetime present.

CNN boss Chris Licht revealed the community’s programming overhaul on Thursday that may see the left-leaning primetime host yanked from his plum solo slot and moved to a newly created morning present that he’ll co-host with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.

“I used to be introduced with a chance that I can’t go up at this community.” Lemon insisted on his ratings-challenged 10 p.m. present “Don Lemon Tonight.”

He continued: “And we’ve a brand new boss who’s a morning present impresario, and he desires a morning present that may kick off the editorial path of the community each single day, and I’m honored that he would ask me to do it.”

Licht has been tasked with lifting the rankings on the third-place CNN, which incorporates remaking the cable information community’s primetime lineup, in addition to reinventing its flailing morning present, “New Day.” A part of that reinvention contains transferring away from punditry and towards centrist, fact-based reporting.

In latest weeks, the community canned Brian Stelter, the outspoken host of the now-canceled “Dependable Sources,” and axed each John Harwood and scandal-scarred Jeffrey Toobin amid buzz that “New Day” anchors John Berman and Brianna Keilar had been subsequent.

However Lemon instructed viewers Thursday that the transfer to the brand new morning present was his selection.

“For all of those that are on the market saying, oh, he moved me, and with out my — he requested me and I stated sure. I may have stated no,” Lemon stated. “That is my present. I’ve a contract for this present. I made a decision that I might take him up on that and take this journey with him.”

“This isn’t somebody transferring me,” the anchor continued. “And by the way in which, this isn’t somebody saying, ‘It’s essential to transfer to the fitting, Don Lemon. And it’s essential to not be so — give a lot of your perspective.’ None of that has occurred. All of that’s fodder for Twitter, which isn’t actual. So cease it.

“I used to be not demoted, none of that. This is a chance,” Lemon added. “It is a promotion.”

However naysayers pointed to Stelter, who additionally had three years left on his contract when he was ousted final month.

CNN didn’t touch upon Lemon’s new contract. Lemon’s agent additionally declined to remark when requested if the anchor’s wage was elevated.

Lemon — who typically espoused his liberal opinions on his present — helmed the lowest-ranked program in primetime in August, averaging 660,000 viewers to complete a distant third to Fox and MSNBC.

Sources just lately instructed The Submit that Licht “has his work reduce out for him” as he tries to pump up the community’s rankings.

In August, Fox Information dominated with 9 reveals making the highest 10 highest-rated cable information reveals. Solely MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow pulled out a fifth-place rating with 2.7 million viewers, lagging behind Fox’s “The 5” (3.4 million), “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (3.3 million), “Hannity” (2.9 million) and “Jesse Watters Primetime” (2.9 million).

The one CNN present to crack the highest 25 was “Anderson Cooper 360” — in twenty fifth place with 950,000 viewers.

In the meantime, “New Day” got here in forty second place out of 82 cable information reveals, bringing in 396,000 whole viewers.

CNN didn’t present a begin date for the modifications however stated it’ll rename “New Day” and replace its set later this 12 months. Berman and Keilar will stay on the community, Licht stated.

Licht is understood for his earlier success launching MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and revamping CBS’ morning present, which was then referred to as “CBS This Morning.” Each reveals featured energetic dialog about present subjects and information of the day between its hosts and a broad number of company.

CNN instructed The Submit that the community will probably be making an announcement on who will substitute Lemon within the subsequent few weeks.