CNN’s Latest Primetime Gambit Has Been a Ratings Failure

Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily BeastAmid its worst ratings in over a decade, CNN recently sought to reinvent its primetime strategy. In fact, CNN’s primetime specials have attracted a smaller audience than the network’s regular programming in that same time slot this year. Prior to Cuomo’s move to primetime a few years ago, Anderson Cooper 360 was a two-hour news show. Additionally, 7 p.m. CNN anchor Erin Burnett has averaged an overall audience of 567,000 when filling in during the primetime slot. Despite speculation that he could take over the primetime hour for good, the veteran journalist soon returned to his normal time slot.