CNN replaces news exec in shakeup (Ryan out, Hair in)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 9.15.03 | CAROLINE WILBERT

[mhking]

Teya Ryan is leaving CNN after serving as general manager of U.S. programming for about 18 months.

In the latest top-level shuffle at CNN, Teya Ryan is leaving her post as general manager of U.S. programming, the network announced.

Her successor is Princell Hair, who joins CNN from Viacom, where he was vice president of news for the Viacom Television Stations Group. In that role he oversaw news coverage across the Viacom portfolio of 39 television stations operating in 15 of the 20 top markets in the United States.

Prior to joining the corporate ranks of Viacom, Hair was news director at KCBS-TV in Los Angeles and at WBAL-TV in Baltimore.

His new position includes responsibility for the Atlanta-based network's prime-time lineup, which has slipped in the ratings.

CNN president Jim Walton, in a memo announcing the switch, said Hair's "professional credentials are extensive and impressive, but what makes him such a strong addition to the seasoned CNN executive team is his demonstrated ability to lead a news organization. He combines practical newsroom experience and a deep respect for journalists and their craft with business acumen and the ability to foster communication and respect."

Walton also said the network's newsgathering structure is being changed.

"Effective immediately, Newsgathering shifts from operating as a stand-alone unit between CNN Domestic and CNN International to a function of each unit. The Newsgathering infrastructure -- the people and resources operating within that framework -- is being integrated into the Domestic and International units, closer to programming decision-making and the journalism that ultimately airs."

Walton said newsgathering chief Eason Jordan will become executive vice president and chief news executive, "remaining our editorial champion, our conscience and someone who understands where CNN came from and where it is going."

Ryan held the domestic programming post for about 18 months. She was promoted to the post after a stint leading Headline News. Ryan got noticed at the company for a makeover of Headline News with more graphics and a faster pace.

She moved up to domestic programming chief under then-chairman Walter Isaacson, who resigned early this year to head the Aspen Institute. His successor, Walton, has focused more on hard news and less on opinion and soft news.

CNN recently reworked its prime-time lineup but still is losing the ratings battle to rival Fox News.

Ryan, who joined CNN in 1990 as a producer, will leave the company.

Walton said Ryan's departure follows "extensive, highly productive philosophical and practical discussions about the structure of CNN/U.S.," which "yielded a new management structure for the network."

He said Ryan "has served the company expertly in times of transition and provided leadership in periods of heightened news, most recently during the war in Iraq."

[mhking]

[mhking]

[geedee]

If a tree falls in the middle of a forest . . .

[martin_fierro]

The Hair Apparent.

[theFIRMbss]

>In the latest top-level shuffle at CNN, Teya Ryan is leaving her post as general manager of U.S. programming, the network announced.

Oh, wait... No. I see.
Teya Ryan. My mistake.
Just ignore the pic...

[boomop1]

WOW the shake up network, nothing can help them.

[Steely Tom]

I sincerely hope that Mr. Jordan has told Ms. Princell Hair in no uncertain terms that CNN's ratings problems are the result of their rightward bias. That market is well served by the ideologues at Fox, and it is foolish and shortsighted for CNN to try to play catch-up as "FNC Lite." Therefore, what is needed is an immediate move to the left to bring CNN back into balance with the mainstream of big-time broadcast journalism. The public wants it. The people demand it.

(steely)

[Spok]

I just got satellite tv, which means I can now ignore CNN by choice rather than by necessity!!!

[Helms]

Viacom, along w/ Abercrombie and Interscope is one of my three:

[geedee]

LOL. Hubba-hubba.

[Timesink]

Schadenfreude

This is the New York Times CNN Schadenfreude Ping List. Freepmail me to be added or dropped.

[Grampa Dave]

All of the CNN channels are blocked on my satellite system.

I had the installer show me how to block them when he installed the system 3 years ago.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks the post and the ping.

[Grampa Dave]

More good CNN news. This move was one that we knew was coming.

Prince Hair, what a joke of a name.

[CFC__VRWC]

All of the CNN channels are blocked on my satellite system.

Same here - after Eason Jordan made it known that CNN shined us on about what a great guy Saddam Hussein was, that was all I could take.

Funny how the War Slut (aka Christiann Ammanpour) didn't have a problem with CNN "self-censoring" themselves when that censorship favored Saddam, isn't it?

[Grampa Dave]

A friend of our sons was with a national cable company a few years ago.

She told them that if users blocked a channel on a cable or a satellite system like CNN, then the cable/satellite system didn't have pay the few pennies of useage fee for that home.

I haven't been able to confirm this. Since then my oldest son and I have just blocked CNN channels on our systems. He and his wife just went to satellite with their new home. The developer refused to do a sweetheart deal with the local cable monopoly. He wired each master bedroom, family room and den with a coax that went to a master box outside. Then, the new home owner decided on cable or satellite. It appears that a large majority have opted for the cable. That is bad news for CNN and the local tax suckers.

No blood for CNN phoney news coverage!

[Liz]

Must be an alias.....LOL.

[GOPJ]

Good one:

If a tree falls in the middle of a forest . . .

[Liz]

The guy who was news director at WMAQ when the Chicago station hired Jerry Springer for its 10 p.m. newscast has been hired by CNN to oversee the cable news channel. Princell Hair, who more recently has been vice president of news for the Viacom TV Stations Group, replaces Teya Ryan as executive vice president and general manager of CNN/U.S.

Perfect for CNN with that bgrnd.....really knows how to pick 'em, eh? Viewers can expect more schlock at CNN (barf).