Georg Szalai spoke with Ken Jautz and published this interview at The Hollywood Reporter on Monday. Jautz talked about his biggest challenge -- boosting primetime ratings -- the importance of personalities and how TV news can be serious yet entertaining.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR CNN, AND HOW DO YOU FIX IT?
Ken Jautz: The biggest issue is to improve our primetime ratings. We need to make our primetime more compelling and engaging, sometimes more fun, you could even say. We are going to adhere to our basic programing strategy of nonpartisan information inclusive of all different points of view. But we need to be livelier and more engaging. Addressing that issue will be my focus. Addressing that with the launch of the two new shows that we have already announced -- "Parker Spitzer" on October 4 and Piers Morgan (as Larry King's replacement) after the turn of the year. We think they will be a big improvement to our primetime.
