CNN’s Atlanta headquarters to close due to declining ratings and departure of anchor Don Lemon in 2023
Don Lemon’s Morning Show Ratings Plummet as Controversy Erupts
Former CNN host Don Lemon kicked off 2023 with a rocky start, struggling to captivate audiences with his new morning show, CNN This Morning. After leaving his prime-time TV slot, Lemon boldly claimed it was a “promotion,” but the numbers told a different story.
Lemon’s Controversial Comments
In February, Lemon found himself in hot water when he made disparaging remarks about GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley. He brazenly declared that she was “past her prime” upon hearing her White House bid announcement. These comments sparked outrage and raised eyebrows.
“This whole talk about age makes me uncomfortable,” Lemon commented. “I think it’s the wrong road to go down. She says people, you know, politicians are suddenly not in their prime. Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry. When a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.”
As a consequence, Lemon was benched and required to undergo ”formal training” to rectify his behavior. He offered an apology, vowing to improve, but it wasn’t enough to salvage his position at CNN. In April, the network decided to part ways with the morning host.
However, the shake-ups didn’t end there. CNN CEO Chris Licht was also ousted after just over a year on the job. In July, Lemon’s former morning show co-host, Kaitlan Collins, received a promotion to a prime-time TV slot with her own show, The Source. Despite these changes, CNN struggled to surpass its competitors, Fox News and MSNBC.
CNN’s Battle for Ratings
Although CNN experienced a 16% improvement in total prime-time viewers and a 25% growth in the key demographic of ages 25-54 compared to the previous year, it still lagged behind. In October 2023, CNN ranked No. 8 among basic cable in total prime-time viewers and No. 10 in the prime-time key demographic.
Meanwhile, Fox News continued its reign as the top-rated cable news network, maintaining its position in total viewers and the 25-54 key demographic for nearly three consecutive years.
Furthermore, CNN faced another significant change as it bid farewell to its original headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The CNN Center, previously owned by AT&T, was sold to Florida-based real estate firms CP Group and Rialto Capital Management for approximately $164 million in an effort to reduce costs. The network relocated its operations to Warner Bros. Discovery’s Techwood Turner Broadcasting campus, a few miles north.
Despite the challenges and transformations, CNN remains determined to regain its footing and reclaim its position as a leading news network.
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How did Lemon’s show receive backlash for perceived liberal bias and lack of objectivity
E, it’s usually when she’s younger. And Nikki Haley, I think, is past that prime.”
Critics and viewers alike accused Lemon of ageism and sexism, arguing that his comments were disrespectful and unprofessional. Many believed that his remarks reflected a bias against women in positions of power and perpetuated harmful stereotypes. The controversy surrounding his comments overshadowed the actual content of his morning show, resulting in negative publicity and a decline in ratings.
Furthermore, Lemon’s show received significant backlash for its perceived liberal bias. Many viewers felt that the show lacked objectivity and presented a skewed narrative, leaning heavily towards left-leaning political ideologies. This alienated conservative viewers who hoped for a more balanced and unbiased morning news program. As a result, Lemon’s show failed to attract a diverse audience and struggled to maintain its viewership.
In March, there was yet another controversy surrounding Lemon’s show when he interviewed a controversial figure known for promoting conspiracy theories. Critics argued that by giving a platform to such an individual, Lemon was legitimizing their views and potentially misleading his audience. This incident further damaged his reputation and caused more viewers to turn away.
As Lemon’s morning show ratings plummeted, the network faced pressure to either make significant changes or potentially cancel the show altogether. It became clear that Lemon’s transition to the morning slot was not the successful “promotion” he initially claimed it to be.
In an attempt to salvage the show’s ratings and reputation, CNN made several adjustments. They introduced new segments and topics, with an emphasis on diverse perspectives and unbiased reporting. They also brought in guest hosts and experts to provide additional expertise and credibility to the show. These changes were aimed at regaining lost viewership and rebuilding trust among the audience.
However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to revive Lemon’s morning show. The controversies and negative publicity surrounding his comments have left a lasting impact on his reputation and credibility as a host. He will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to fair and balanced reporting if he hopes to win back viewers and rebuild his career.
Ultimately, Lemon’s morning show serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of controversial statements and biased reporting in the world of mainstream media. It highlights the importance of professionalism, respect, and objectivity in journalism, as well as the significant role that audience perception plays in the success or failure of a show.
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