The Real Reason CNN's Don Lemon Is Being Axed From His Primetime Slot

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

CNN anchor Don Lemon has graced our TV screens ever since he landed a primetime slot on the network with his program, "CNN Tonight with Don Lemon," in 2014. At one point, Lemon was earning top ratings on cable TV this year, coming in at the No. 1 slot in the 18-49 demographic, amassing 1.7 million viewers on average, per Journal Inquirer. These numbers came in February, well after Lemon was sued by a bartender in 2021 after allegedly sexual assaulting him at a bar in the Hamptons.

As one of CNN's most recognizable veteran anchors, Lemon continued to score high ratings despite the network dropping in overall ratings, Ad Week reported in April. For instance, that month CNN lost 43% of primetime viewers, but Lemon's show still soared above MSNBC programming in the 25-54 age group.

That being said, it's been a tumultuous time, and changes are continuing to occur on the network. Lemon has been ousted from his longtime primetime gig for daytime, and now he's explaining why.

-snip-

"This is not someone saying, 'You must move to the right, Don Lemon, you must not be so — give so much of your perspective,'" Lemon said on CNN, emphasizing that he chose to make the move to mornings. "None of that has happened ... I was not demoted. This is an opportunity for me to create something around me, and I get to work with two great ladies."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/the-real-reason-cnn-s-don-lemon-is-being-axed-from-his-primetime-slot/ar-AA11UUyF

[MOMFUDSKI]

1. What a load

of bullshit that is. Hoping CNN just dries up and blows away.

[jimfields33]

2. This is coming straight from don lemon.

He seems excited about this.

[JohnSJ]

4. Yes it is. Those who are trying to make something out of this that isn't is embaressing

"CNN prime-time host Don Lemon on Thursday night addressed news of his next role at the network, saying he “was not demoted” with the shift to an anchoring gig on what will be CNN’s reimagined morning show this fall.

Lemon said he was presented by new network President Chris Licht with an opportunity he “cannot pass up,” adding that the vision for the new program is one that would “kick off the editorial direction of the network every day.”

“And for all of those that are out there saying, ‘Oh he moved me without my …’ — he asked me and I said yes,” Lemon said. “I could have said no. … I was not demoted. None of that. This is an opportunity for me to creating something around me and I get to work with two great ladies, who you know.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/3646335-cnns-don-lemon-on-new-morning-show-gig-i-was-not-demoted/

Don Lemon has never been shy not to speak out, and there is no reason not to take him at his word

[betsuni]

8. +1

[jimfields33]

11. Definitely! He'd say his peace if he was upset for sure.

[brer cat]

14. +1

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Not buying what Lemon is selling.

I've had jobs that have required me to go with their script. So is Lemon.

[relayerbob]

5. Hmmmm. Hard to say

Seems like his evening show was pretty much wrapped around him, without co-hosts. Either way, not motivating me to watch CNN in the evening, or in the morning.

[montanacowboy]

6. Lemon is putting lipstick on a pig

Who in their right mind believes he is just "honkey dory" with giving up his primetime spot anchor to share a morning space with two other anchors? I call bullshit and if he doesn't just walk away I doubt his integrity. The reason his primetime spot was such a ratings hit is because he fit into the MSNBC like mold, and he was getting an audience that love the real news. If he goes along with this fiasco he will just melt away.

[JenniferJuniper]

7. In the corporate world, this is known as a "Special Project" and

special projects seem to last around 7 months. He'll probably leave on his own before then.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

9. The REAL REASON is that Chris Licht--like many television executives--

sees having a highly-rated morning show as critical to the success of the rest of a network's schedule.

He has held that belief for years and he was a specialist in developing morning shows at CBS and MSNBC before he went to work with (non-fascist) Stephen Colbert.

Don Lemon sees this as a promotion, as would many (most) in the industry.

Given that Licht feels morning shows are the key to a networks success, it certainly shows his confidence in Don Lemon (who will be the heavy-weight on the team).

The ongoing CNN conspiracy theory has no basis in fact and was one concocted by an ultra-right wing source. Yet it won't die here on DU.

Egads.

[GuppyGal]

12. Thank you....it's BEYOND BELIEF

[W_HAMILTON]

16. In what world is moving from prime time to early morning seen as a promotion?

[Just A Box Of Rain]

17. In the world of television.

That's why ABC's top talent, George Stephanopoulos, has been on Good Morning America all these years (despite the odd fit).

Good ratings in the morning are vital to the rest of the broadcast day.

I spent my career working in television. Lemon rightly sees this as an opportunity. It is a huge vote of confidence from Licht, whose own success depends on how this works out.

[W_HAMILTON]

19. I was actually going to bring that up...

That's a TERRIBLE comparison, you do realize, right?

George Stephanopoulos wanted the primetime news gig originally, but it was given to David Muir instead. To placate Stephanopoulos, he was given the title "chief anchor," which meant that he would still be the one to head up big news events.

Fast forward to last year or so, and tensions flared up again when Muir was promoted to chief anchor. Stephanopoulos threatened to leave the network. The issue was resolved by giving Stephanopoulos a pay raise, a contract extension, and work involving a production company on their streaming outlets.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

21. Not a terrible comparison at all.

ABC--like CNN--wanted a heavy hitter on the morning show.

In the case of George Stephanopoulos it is (to my mind) an awkward fit (and he'd have been perfect for primetime), but the network wanted him on the critically important morning show for the reasons outlined earlier.

Successful morning shows are prized by TV execs.

[W_HAMILTON]

23. And the heavy hitter wanted the prime time spot...

...because it was seen as more prestigious, and when he didn't get it, the network had to pay up to keep him from leaving them.

Morning shows have become more popular and "prized," as you say, but they absolutely are not seen as more important than prime time shows.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

24. So? Unlike Stephanopoulos, Don Lemon seems happy about this move.

And it isn't the point in any case, as it shows the value that television executives place on their morning shows, which has been my point all along.

Few in the industry would see this as a "demotion," and most especially Chris Licht.

[W_HAMILTON]

25. He is toeing the company line.

And, furthermore, I wouldn't be surprised if he was also given additional pay/perks for the move -- something that you wouldn't have to bribe someone with if the role was seen as more prestigious and lucrative than the one they already had.

Ask anyone in the industry whether they would want to co-host a morning show or have their own primetime show where they were the lone star and very few would choose the former.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

26. Have you ever known Don Lemon to "toe the line?"

I means seriously.

TV executives pay generously for talent in critical time slots. This is just further evidence that makes my point.

I think you are wrong about the desirability of the morning show, which I presume will run 3 hours daily (that's the case now on CNN) when most people tend to be watching news vs 10 to midnight.

[2naSalit]

10. GONG!!!

Bullshit.

[Sympthsical]

13. This article is brazenly dishonest by actively hiding his current ratings

I mean, this is just a staggeringly dishonest article.

His current ratings for the 18-49 demographic on Sept. 12th were 78,300. Does that "soar" for anyone? Because for me, that sounds like an average ASMR channel on YouTube.

His August average was 660,000 viewers. He's the 18th most popular show on CNN. He's not even a draw on his own network.

It is brazenly dishonest to cite that 1.7 million number when his trajectory has been clear, inarguable, and objectively provable by easily obtained information. Instead they had to reach back to cite a peak in the past to make an argument for the present.

https://ustvdb.com/networks/cnn/shows/don-lemon-tonight/

I don't know what this article is, but journalism ain't it. Sounds like someone was doing a friend a favor.

[ZonkerHarris]

15. I would like to hear what he's saying in private, not through PR reps.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

18. Have you ever gotten the impression that Lemon is a person who is disingenuous

or afraid to speak the truth?

This is a big career move. He knows it.

[ZonkerHarris]

22. Yes it is big butt in the wrong way. Do you think mornings are better than primetime?

Yes it is big butt in the wrong way. Do you think mornings are better than primetime?
In the pecking order of entertainment they are not.
Now, I only base my opinion for having worked in the entertainment industry and out here in Hollywood for 40 years.
Would Hannity rather host a morning show?
Would Rachel Maddow rather host a Morning Show?
No

[BlueIdaho]

20. The real question is not where in Lemon going

The question is - who is replacing him? He may be perfectly happy with a daytime gig, but what tone will the evening take?

Time will tell just how benign the deck shuffling is at CNN.