BILL
WEIR JOINS CNN
CNN announced
today that Bill Weir is joining the network as an anchor and
Chief Innovation Correspondent. At a time when CNN is expanding the
definition of news, the former anchor of ABC News’ Nightline will work with producers to
develop original programming across the schedule. He will join CNN in
November, and be based in New York.
"Bill's
range, sensibility and curiosity set him apart,” said CNN Worldwide
President Jeff Zucker. “He brings a unique
storytelling style, perspective and sense of humor to CNN, and he
will be a key player as we continue to expand our line-up.”
In addition to his anchoring and
development roles, Weir will bring his forward-looking perspective to coverage
of the innovation and technology space. After filing groundbreaking
reports from around the world on the likes of Apple, Microsoft and Facebook he
will continue to document the pace of leading-edge innovation for CNN.
Said Weir, "I'm ecstatic
to join a team with such vast resources and such strong commitment to covering
our world. Nightline was a blast and while I'll always be indebted to my ABC
friends this is a chance to mix journalism and creative storytelling in a whole
new way. I can't wait."
While at ABC, Weir anchored and
reported from the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, the flood waters of
Hurricane Katrina and the devastation of northern Japan in the hours after the
tsunami. Thanks to his unique style of storytelling, his audience got
refreshing insight on everything from the economic rise of China and India to
the political battlegrounds of American elections, and his engaging
investigative reports were a signature of ABC's "The Lookout” this
summer. Weir was also an original anchor of Good Morning America's
weekend edition and contributed heavily to ABC digital video efforts.
Prior to his arrival at ABC
News in 2007, Weir spent time writing and developing shows in Hollywood after
years as an anchor and reporter in Los Angeles, Chicago and Green Bay.
All content, unless otherwise cited, is © All Things CNN and may not be used without consent of the blog administrator.
29 comments:
TV by the Numbers is saying he joins CNN in
November as an anchor. Also, the word is that
he will be on CNN in prime time. This is getting
very interesting. Which show is going : Out Front,
PMT or 360 Later. Perhaps even the 6 PM hour,
which does not make sense for him to leave
ABC News. Stand by for the announcement.
Cooper has not signed a new contract and his expires in a few months. Could this be where Bill will end up or will Katie take Cooper's place? Either way Andy is saying bye bye to CNN and remember you heard it here first.
Happy to hear about Bill Weir
@9:57PM, I am a bit worried now. I like Anderson at CNN. I did a little research and his contract is set to expire Fall 2013. No word yet on signing a new contract and it's getting a little late. Could that mean that CNN Heroes might be his final appearance on December first? I do find it a bit odd that his contract would end considering he just started a new prime time show last month. I think he may stay with CNN but revert to only having one show in primetime and give Anderson Cooper 360º a makeover and incorporate the smart panel of 360 Later into it.
I must say it is BEYOND annoying how Piers Morgan has been beginning his program every night lately with "THIS IS CNN BREAKING NEWS" over something STUPID! Last night it was "THEY'RE TALKING! Obama and Boehner!"
Tonight I was at a cafe that had CNN on and when Piers Morgan began, everyone surprisingly got quiet when it was announced "THIS IS CNN BREAKING NEWS" to where Piers Morgan (the wannabe Wolf Blitzer) says "We want to welcome our viewers in the United States and around the world. You are looking at a live shot of the Statue of Liberty, which has now re-opened". I was astonished by the booing in the cafe. Everyone seriously though something major happened at the Statue of Liberty. Why does CNN have to be so dramatic and use Breaking News for everything? American news has become a laugh.
I would be sad if Anderson left CNN. He is the reason I watch CNN. If he does leave, I hope he still handles breaking news at another network. He is the best.
Bill Weir is a very average reporter.
Anderson appeared on New Day the other morning and he just totally stands out.
@10:03 AM: Yes, Anderson stood out.
Past tense. He doesn't anymore.
He'd rather play it safe and side with the Republicans and not call it what it is....a Republican mess, made by the Republicans and for the interests of the Republicans.
There was a time, maybe 6 years ago, when Anderson could have been the new type of news anchor. But he chose to become a "news personality" and did a failing talk show, even though he had no talent for hosting.
So now he is on a mediocre network, that is a hot mess...and he stands out as competent.
He has NO competition on CNN.
Everyone good has left.
And if you don't believe me, look at his ratings on TVN.
Well I'm fed up with CNN and their right wing pandering. If AC goes, that means I don't have to watch them ever again and that's not a bad thing as far as I'm concerned. anon 10:03 am pretty much states everything I feel about Anderson except about him leaving CNN. THAT I wouldn't mind.
Weir looks like Superman, I never heard of this guy, but good luck to him.
"Chief Innovation Correspondent" ???
Seriously ??
What does that even mean?
Who though up that title ??
I don't think Cronkite needed an Innovation Correspondent on his team - just regular ol' hardworking reporters.
It means tech & innovation. Bloomberg and AJAM have
shows strictly dedicated to new media ,scientists and innovators aka the next big thing. The shows that are ing the genre are Bloomberg West & Tech Know from AJAM. What took CNN so long. Innovators are all around the world . Anderson Cooper 360 is the # 1 show on CNN. The flood of correspondents leaving ABC is due to cost cutting. AJAM is actually the only network investing in journalism resources. You all have to start thinking beyond television and think mobile. It's al about content. CNN is looking for a stroytwller like Anthony Bourdain.
Good CNN hired a journalist instead of a pundit.
AJAM is too professional that is why the network
is ignored by all of the cable news blogs. AAM is
not a circus and so since they really don't get
real journalism AJAM will not get much talk on
TVN, TVBTN, ICN or Mediaite. You will never see
that there are times when AJAM is outperforming
FBN or CNBC. The blogs don't want to write about
real cable news but bickering show hosts.Maybe
AJAM could make AC an offer. It's the perfect
network for him and they need some big names.
Heck MSNBC would love to have him on at 8. From
what I have read Bill Weir will be on at 11 but
there is also talk of PMT being cut to 30 minutes.
PMT can't stay on CNN at 9. Then again Erin
Burnett is losing big to Hardball. CNN is lucky
that Chris Hayes can't grow on Hardball's ratings.
Anderson would fix that problem.
According to Inside Cable News, there is trouble for New Day. I hope Michaela stays at CNN. I never thought the chemistry was right with Chris & Kate. Who did not see this coming ? Michaela is the bright spot for the show. There is no chemistry. I noticed this morning that Jon Berman & Michaela are anchoring out of NYC this morning. Hmm ?
I could see Bill Weir starting out at 10 PM on Friday nights. CNN has to make changes before it's too late. CNN is falling behind it's competitors. The 6.7 and 9 PM are hurting CNN. CNN will have to shake things up or remain a distant 3rd. Crossfire, Out Front and PMT are damaging CNN. Of course, CNN is still in denial so the problems are not being solved. MSNBC seems to be making the right choices while CNN decides to hire Newt Gingrich. With all of what is going on in Washington with the possible default, it looks bad for CNN to have the man on their payroll who did the same antics in the 90's. Is there anyone with a brain at CNN.
I can't imagine Bill Weir starting out with a prime time show. He is not exactly a household name. He will definitely have to earn that. He has always seemed very bland to me. There must be someone more interesting out there to hire.
Also I think Kate and Michaela are very talented.
I don't watch "New Day" but Chris Cuomo seems to have a chemistry problem with everyone.
In school he'd probably get the comment "Doesn't play well with others."
while he may be competent, he stands out, very tall and lanky, to the point of not acting natural, even during interviews.
I noticed this characteristic when he was still at ABC.
Oddly enough, his father was always very sociable as a politician and a powerhouse as a former NY Governor.
Because of NIghtline Bill Weir is widely known. Nightline pulled in ratingshigher than Leno and Letterman when it was on at 11:30. Nightline has good demos. He had to get a really big offer to leave Nightline. That has to be prime time on CNN. I really think CNN should get a women's news show with Michaela and other female journalists of ethnic backgrounds at 9 PM. No pundits. Study after study shows that cable news is heavily geared to white males that are only 31 percent of the population. Females are the majority at 52 %. I could see Michaela, Isha Sesay, this weekend there was a
new female anchor on Ana Caberra who I think would be a good fit. Too bad Alina Cho left CNN.
Hala Gorani could work too. It's about having chemistry and being watchable. It is long past time for CNN to move beyond on the left on the right.
CNN is using outdated models.
Bill Weir is a great hire for CNN. There are others :
Mo Rocca,, Conor Knighton and Aisha Tyler, all who are currently at CBS. Pivot has Take Part Live a really cool news show that makes the news informative and entertaining at the same time; Jason Silva who is the host of Mind Games on Nat Geo. Also, Max Lugavere who created Acting Disruptive. Hire people who are good at TV and can make good content like Anthony Bourdain. I hope this means CNN is beyond hiring talking heads. Move on to news content.
If Kate is taken off the morning show I like the idea of a women's show at night with Michaela and others. Years ago CNN did have a women's show and Kate Snow was the moderator. It was on Saturday mornings and I really enjoyed it. Kate would talk to different CNN female correspondents about what stories they had been working on.
Can CNN tell the truth and admit the Tea Party
hijacked a rally this weekend and this have really
ignored vets. CNN is afraid to admit what the Tea
Party did. That rally was ugly and CNN keeps on
going out of the way not to say who was behind
that event and the vets are saying the so called
organization was a fraud that no one has ever
heard of. CNN should have know that once Palin
and Cruz showed up that something is wrong.
CNN tied the disturbing protests to veterans and
that was an insult/ This group is not tied to vets.
Jeff Zucker had to make Bill Weir a huge deal to get him to jump ship. It has to be a primetime show. It's no secret that CNN is trouble at 9 . Everyone knows that PMT needs to be canceled sooner rather than later. Same thing goes for Out Front that is losing badly to Hardball. If HB starts averaging 1 million plus a week, 360 won't make up the difference eventually. Zucker has made the situation at CNN more dire.
In spite of Piers Morgan's positive comments pertaining to CNN, "I will be taken out of CNN kicking and screaming. CNN is a great place to work,"....didn't Soledad O'Brien say much the same thing, just before she resigned from CNN, last year?
Am interested in reading his book if only because I support his views on America and its gun lobby.
Everyone knows how this will play out. Bill Weir will replace Piers Morgan . Industry insiders see this one coming a mile away. I have to agree women on CNN at 9 PM gets them back into the mix. Put Weir on at 10 PM and put 360 Later on at 11 PM However, 360 Later is becoming a real snoozefest. Liven and mix things up. It has turned into pundits without any substance. All in tried panels for an hour. It does not work. Bring them in for the last 10 minutes. The remainder of the time should be alloted to a much faster paced news show with interviews, interesting topics and guests.
New Day should go with Chris, Michaela and a couple
of more players. You are trying to hold viewers attention for 3 hours. It looks too much like American Morning. You go with 4 or 5 players that are equals who can play off each other. Everything looks to staged and scripted. Let's be honest Michaela is a better anchor than Kate. She's the personality of the show. If you are going to do sports, get away from Bleacher Report. Hello, the talent can't talk sports. You get zero highlights and sound. That's not how you do sports. When David Ortiz hits a grand slam game winner, I want to hear the play by play along with reax. Finally, there is to much junk on the screen. CNN needs to put together an ensemble that can talk about anything. Good luck with CNN trying to create the chemistry of The Talk. It's no secret Aisha Tyler saved the show. Good luck luring her away from CBS. Tyler is smart and humorous. She can tackle anything. Tyler would definitely be more competitive than PMT Something tells me that Les Moonves will not let Aisha Tyler, Mo Rocca and Conor Knighton walk out the door. All 3 are vital for CBS. The Talk and CBS Sunday Morning are bringing in viewers to CBS.
Unfortunately, CNN turns the news over to the
pundits. That means CNN does not care about
the facts. The network is too wrapped up in
ideology rather than the real news or analysis.
You just don't have your anchors tossing the
questions to talking heads. Why not engage in
intelligent/informative conversation with their
CNN colleagues. A conversation that has a
point rather than political talking points. When
I see people on from Buzzfeed, Business Insider,
Quartz, New Republic, Atlantic, etc. I will know
that CNN is serious. When I see Glen Beck
employees , I know CNN is not serious. Here
comes the misinformation campaign.
Bring back TJ & Betty. I really miss them, They have chemistry and tease each other. It's genuine. CNN uses a left vs right formula. CNN keeps delegitimizes it's own journalists. Rule # 1 in journalism is to own the story. The biggest problem for CNN is that Jeff Zucker ran an entertainment network not a news channel. BIg difference. There is a lack of passion for the news on CNN. It is visible. Give your journalists the opportunity to showcase their skills. So CNN journalists can't play with one another. CNN talent should be able to interact,converse and have constructive conversations. Think about it. Zucker was involved with Today in the 90's. Guess what he runs CNN like it's the 90's. I would be stunned if he is aware of Business Insider, New Republic, Atlantic or Quartz. He is not a news person committed to upgrading and modernizing CNN. The world has changed and CNN is in denial. Hire people who can take CNN to the next level.
If CNN truly believes that the partisans make everything dysfunctional. Why are they on the CNN payroll. CNN looks hypocritical. CNN could easily hire all of those mentioned as contributors get beyond people who are politically connected. CNN was more concerned about John Boehnor's political career than the American public. CNN's anchors and reporters are not talking to viewrs. They are talking at viewers and dissing them. That's why they are turning the channel.
CNN needs to fire whomever is in charge of their political coverage. Hire someone with fresh ideas and a new approach to covering politics. I'm sorry but TDS, Colbert ,Kimball, Fallon, Leno, Letterman are so much better at connecting with viewers when it comes to politics. Something is wrong when CNN is being beaten badly by MSNBC on huge stories like the shutdown and the debt ceiling. CNN needs to get it's act together. MSNBC has been kicking CNN's butt when it comes to reporting and analysis. You don't learn anything other than someone's opinion when watching CNN. Can you say irrelevant. CNN is it's own worst enemy.
Did John McCain just get sane?
He actually went after Texan Republican Cruz, saying this is what the American people want and they don't want this bickering between parties.
"We lost this battle."
Finally, a word of wisdom from a party that has sunk so low it has become intolerable.
Hopefully, this toll will be shown in November when republican incumbents are up for reelection...throw them out, every last one of them.
They are a disgrace and don't belong in the house chambers or the Senate. They have failed to represent the majority of the population.
I wish CNN would stop being distracted by the
noise and to focus on the real story. Did Ted
Cruz deserve all of the attention that CNN gave
him yesterday ? Why is that anything conservative
CNN has to cover live. When has CNN ever carried
the international women's conference and other
events live. No one else seems to matter to CNN.
That is why there ratings are going down and will
continue to do so. CNN has made a boneheaded
choice to ignore millions of potential viewers. At
the same time MSNBC is masterfully carrying out
a CNN takedown. Once MSNBC starts topping CNN
when there are big news stories it;s game over
for CNN. Things are about to get ugly for CNN.
Not only that MSNBC is now looking to outsmart
CNN during the day too. It's true that ideology
makes chemistry impossible. The pundit have
been destroying CNN for how many years now ?
So why did CNN triple down on the pundits ?
1 of the reasons why New Day might look like
the same thing over and over again is that CNN
got rid of video editors. That's not very smart for
a visual medium. CNN should be hiring writers,
producers and editors to constantly keep the
news fresh on CNN. Let's see it who long it
takes CNN to realize the pundits have played out.
Really CNN, in the age of Twitter and Face Book
do you think viewers want pundits. Want to
engage viewers how about asking legit news
questions and asking viewers to tweet or post
the correct answers on FB. I'm not talking about
the partisan questions but ones like : what drug
is similar to an oreo cookie ? CNN is too lazy.
Having someone from the left vs right bickering
all of the time on CNN is annoying.
Wow. CNN had better start reporting some real news to Americans. A storm is brewing like you will not believe. The U.S. economy lost 24 billion dollars that is not coming back. There are already reports that folks are not going to be eating out for the next 3 month. Retailers are fearful of the damage that has been done. Right now the world thinks Americans have collectively lost their minds. The world was watching American media during this time. There is a growing sense globally that the Tea Party destroyed America beyond compare. Sadly, they also say American media, particularly the news , need to start telling Americans what is really happening , It is possible that this silliness might have done damage that can't be repaired. Globally, they are not sure that Americans get it. They saw that ugly protest outside the White House ,and asked what is wrong with America ? Elected officials saying let's default , no problem. You hear this in what President Obama is saying today. You will not believe the number of world leaders, international business and financial institution who are expressing deep concerns . They constantly will tell you that American media companies are the biggest enablers.
That will point out that Americans used to be informed and really cared about our country. But when they see Americans elected politicians who are careless and irresponsible. It's a shame. CNN had better wake up and stop being afraid of talk radio or bloggers. That is no way to run a business. It's crucial for CNN to start informing. Americans will say , well I never saw it on the news. Their response , that is why you don't know. CNN is losing it's stature all around the world. We can only hope that Aljazeera America forces CNN to get back to news. Unfortunately, it is not available to the masses like CNN, FNC & MSNBC. I'm talking to you CNN.
CNN is politically tone death. Jim Axosta just said Obama caused the shutdown. The reporting on CNN stinks and then some. Facts don't matter. CNN will rot your brain. You can't trust it.
Absolutely right 11:47AM...To CNN, facts don't matter.
They are masters at making "stuff up," like their press releases, things couldn't be rosier in the land of OZ.
And like the bloggers on ATA pointed out so vividly, where was W. when it came to this "debt" that started two wars?
DOES ANY REPUBLICAN EVER GET ASKED THAT QUESTION ON 360???
Time to hide Bushy Boy, let's not have him show his face until 016...and not even then.
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