Ali Velshi To Anchor 1pm General News Show, Heidi Collins Out At CNN
CNN’s Chief Business Correspondent Ali Velshi is adding a new role at the network – general news anchor.
Mediaite talked to Velshi, who will anchor a soon-to-be-named program from 1-3pmET, about his new show, which was announced the same day other major day time changes are occurring.
Besides the new show from Velshi, Heidi Collins will be leaving the network and Kyra Phillips will be the 9-11amET CNN Newsroom anchor. Earlier, it was announced Rick Sanchez would begin hosting Rick’s List from 3-5pmET. All changes begin January 18. (Internal memo from CNN/U.S. President Jon Klein below.)
But for Velshi, it is the biggest leap – from business correspondent (and anchor of Your $$$$$) to general news anchor. “I have become good over the last couple years in knowing that the best way to communicate with viewers is to make information we have highly accessible to them,” he tells Mediaite today. “That lends itself to my business reporting. I’m going to use those techniques for everything.”
Velshi says one of the goals of the show is to “break things down the way I’ve become accustomed to on CNN the last couple years.”
Velshi says he will use social media in his show, in the same way others at CNN have begun incorporating Twitter and more into the programs. He will be relocating to Atlanta from New York.
During the Christmas night terror scare breaking news, Velshi anchored coverage for CNN – and was praised here and elsewhere. At the time we asked, “Could one night propel Velshi to the top of the next prime time host short list for CNN in 2010?” Well, the same question remains – could a two-hour daytime block be a trial run for prime time? There’s not a big track record of that happening. But there’s also not a big track record of a ‘business guy’ transitioning to a high-profile general news anchor role at CNN. While the plans for this show were likely in the works long before Christmas night, Klein mentions his coverage in his internal memo to staff: “Ali brings the expertise and passion that viewers expect from CNN, as he recently demonstrated when he so deftly handled the Christmas day breaking news about the attempted terror threat.”
Here’s his full note:
January 7, 2010
To: CNN U.S. Staff
From: Jon Klein=======================================================
Dear Colleagues,I am delighted to share with you some changes to our dayside lineup which we are announcing today. Beginning on Monday, January 18, Ali Velshi will join our daytime team to anchor CNN Newsroom fromAtlanta from 1-3 pm. He will continue his role as CNN’s chief business correspondent and co-anchor of Your $$$$$.
Ali brings the expertise and passion that viewers expect from CNN, as he recently demonstrated when he so deftly handled the Christmas day breaking news about the attempted terror threat. He has a unique ability to break down complex ideas and events in a clear and concise way. He’s a skilled journalist and the right addition to our strong dayside team.
Beginning January 18, Kyra Phillips will anchor CNN Newsroom from 9-11 am, Tony Harris continues from 11-1 pm followed by Ali. From 3-5 pm Rick Sanchez anchors his new program Rick’s List.
With this move, Heidi Collins will be leaving CNN after seven years of dedicated service. Her last day on air will be Friday, January 15. Please join me in thanking her for her contributions to the network and in wishing her and her family the very best.
We’ll discuss further on our Friday call.
Many thanks, Jon
