The closer we get to the still-unannounced first quarter launch date of CNN’s new streaming service CNN+, the more the network’s plans are coming into focus.
CNN has already made it clear, for example, that the forthcoming offering isn’t meant to be a streamable alternative that merely gives audiences most of the same thing they’re already getting now. Rather, CNN+ will exist in parallel with the network’s TV programming — offering content from CNN’s archives, as well as shows from talent brought on specifically for the streaming service. One of the newest being Alison Roman, a renowned cook and New York Times bestselling author.
Roman’s just-announced show, in fact, is actually the CNN+ title that I’m most excited for. Credit for that goes to my own pandemic food diet that needs to be shaken out of its doldrums, mixed with Roman’s personality. Reading her email newsletter, for example, can feel a little like getting a culinary cheat sheet from a friend. “Sometimes the beige-est foods are my favorite, and there is no food more beige than this one,” she wrote in one of her newsletter editions from just a few days ago, with recipe instructions for a dilly bean stew with cabbage and frizzled onions.
“It’s also deceptively complex and is good for anyone who lists pickles as one of their top 5 foods. I received a reader email this morning that was basically: ‘LOVE YOU BUT ENOUGH WITH THE BEANS,’ which, fair! I even myself have said as much.”
CNN announced in recent days that Roman will host a new CNN Original Series cooking show as part of the CNN+ content slate. Working with Zero Point Zero, the production company behind Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” for CNN, episodes will find Roman both in and outside of the kitchen.
All of her recipes have compelling, personal, and, even more importantly, relatable stories behind them. For her show, CNN says that she’ll both teach at the stove as well as head out into the world “to learn about the ingredients, the people, and the story behind the dish.”
“I could not be more thrilled to be partnering with CNN+ on this project,” Roman said as part of the network’s announcement. “I've been dreaming about bringing a new sort of cooking and food show to life for years, and I can't think of any place better to make it a reality. Lydia and the whole team at ZPZ have been heroes of mine for so long, I am truly beyond excited to collaborate with them.”
The New York-based Roman has also worked as a New York Times cooking columnist, as well as an editor at Bon Appetit. She cut her teeth as a pastry chef at places like San Francisco’s Quince, as well as Momofuku Milk Bar in New York.
Roman will be joined on CNN+, meanwhile, by a still-growing roster of talent that includes Anderson Cooper, Eva Longoria, Chris Wallace, and more.
Here’s a snapshot of what else we know is coming to the streaming service:
Anderson Cooper: The venerable CNN anchor is getting two shows on CNN+ — “Parental Guidance with Anderson Cooper,” while his current streaming show “Anderson Cooper Full Circle” will move over to the new service. CNN says that Cooper’s parent-focused show will air weekly on the streamer and will find him consulting experts “on how to navigate life as a working father and confront everyday parenting challenges from sleep schedules to screen time. Cooper will learn alongside the audience, taking questions to the experts for their advice.”
“Anderson Cooper Full Circle,” meanwhile, is a twice-weekly digital show — in which Cooper interviews newsmakers about stories focused outside of Washington DC — available exclusively on CNN Digital properties. It will move to CNN+’s live programming schedule.
Chris Wallace: Longtime Fox News anchor Chris Wallace a few weeks ago abruptly left the network where he’d become something of an elder statesman to join CNN’s new streamer. Few details about his live weekday show have emerged yet. But CNN says it will feature interviews with newsmakers “across politics, business, sports, and culture.” And it will be available at launch.
Don Lemon: CNN anchor Don Lemon will host a new weekly talk show with a studio audience, “The Don Lemon Show,” for CNN+. In addition, he also anchors “Don Lemon Tonight” on CNN, airing weeknights at 10pm, and serves as a correspondent across CNN’s US programming.
Cari Champion and Jemele Hill: The former ESPN broadcast journalists are teaming up for “Cari & Jemele: Speak.Easy.,” a show that will touch on everything from sports to entertainment, politics, and culture.
Kasie Hunt: Hunt recently left NBC News/MSNBC to be CNN’s newest anchor and chief national affairs analyst. She’s also going to host a daily politics-focused show on CNN+, in addition to reporting for CNN and covering breaking news.
Eva Longoria: The actress and activist will host for CNN+ a spinoff of Stanley Tucci’s CNN Original Series “Searching for Italy.” In Longoria’s case, the new show will be the six-part “Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico.” It will follow her as she explores Mexico from the perspective of its cuisine and culture.
Scott Galloway: A serial entrepreneur as well as Professor of Marketing at NYU’s Stern School of Business, CNN says Galloway will host a new live show, available at launch, focused on “the news and conversations where business and technology collide.”
Audie Cornish: The former co-host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” is joining CNN+ as an anchor and correspondent. In addition to hosting a weekly CNN+ show and contributing to the streamer’s slate of live programming, she’ll also host a new CNN Audio podcast, as well as cover national, political, and breaking news for CNN.
Rex Chapman: NBA and Kentucky college basketball star Rex Chapman is also joining CNN as a host for the streamer, for a program that will be available at launch. From the network: “Chapman is known for celebrating the highs of college basketball and NBA stardom, rebounding from the lows of opioid addiction and now for his viral social media presence where he shares humor and positivity. In that same spirit, Chapman’s weekly CNN+ show will include intimate conversations with athletes, entertainers and everyday heroes as Chapman looks for the silver lining beyond today’s toughest headlines.”
Dr. Sanjay Gupta: CNN’s chief medical correspondent, who’s also a practicing neurosurgeon, will host the series “Masters in Medicine with Dr. Sanjay Gupta” — which he’s described as a mini-med school experience — for CNN+. Each episode, CNN says, will feature lifesaving lessons to help viewers optimize their own health.
Brian Stelter: CNN’s chief media correspondent will host Reliable Sources Daily on the streamer, taking a closer look at the media headlines of the day — expanding the existing Reliable Source franchise that already includes a CNN Sunday show, plus a podcast and email newsletter.
Ethan Hawke: “The Last Movie Stars,” a film in six chapters, directed by actor Ethan Hawke, is premiering exclusively on CNN+ (with a later availability to follow on HBO Max). Executive-produced by Martin Scorsese, CNN says the movie will “celebrate the enigmatic personas, incandescent talent, and love story of actors Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman.”
Additional programming
- 5 Things: The CNN newsletter and podcast brand is expanding to also encompass a morning show that will air on CNN+. Each morning, CNN explains, anchor Kate Bolduan “will count down the five stories you need to know to start your day. Grab a coffee and count down the top five essential stories of the morning with Bolduan in this new and engaging show.”
- The Big Picture: hosted by CNN senior national correspondent Sara Sidner: This will offer viewers an in-depth and “contextual” look at the biggest stories of the day. It will be a live weekday show that also incorporates conversations and reporting from CNN reporters, correspondents, anchors, and guest experts.
- Go There: This CNN show is moving to CNN+, to become an exclusive offering there. It will be hosted by the network’s domestic and international correspondents, who will “take viewers to the frontlines of breaking news in every corner of the planet.”
- Boss Files: CNN Newsroom anchor Poppy Harlow is expanding on her podcast by bringing an 8-episode series of the same name to CNN+. This show will focus on the biggest names in business, according to the network, as well as their respective paths to success.
- The Newscast with Wolf Blitzer: CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will host this show, available at launch, that gives viewers “the headlines you need to know on this traditional evening news show with a sleek, modern twist.”
- Flashpoints with Fareed Zakaria: CNN’s Fareed Zakaria will host this series that takes a closer look at power dynasties, revolutions, spy missions, and assassinations to “help viewers understand how the world’s most dangerous people and places have arrived at transformational tipping points.”
- Jake Tapper’s Book Club: This CNN+ show from CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper will be available at launch. It will feature Tapper interviewing news-making authors, as well as some of his own favorite writers. From CNN: “Each week, viewers will learn about the stories behind bestselling and critically acclaimed books and add more to their reading lists along the way.”
- Land of the Giants: Titans of Tech: A tech-focused series coming to CNN+, this new five-part CNN Original Series production from Vox Media Studios will take a deep dive into today’s biggest and most important tech giants. And it will combine archival footage with interviews from experts and tech insiders. “Land of the Giants: Titans of Tech investigates the meteoric rise of Meta (formerly Facebook), Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google,” CNN announced. “Based on the podcast from Recode by Vox and the Vox Media Podcast Network, this timely documentary series explores the full and complicated history of these organizations, from their humble beginnings to their present-day standing as global powerhouses.”
- Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over: CNN Films acquired this documentary about the singer’s life, which will be among the first films to debut on CNN+. The movie tracks Warwick’s rise from singing in her grandfather’s church to superstardom, which included her confrontations with discrimination along the way.
- The Murdochs: Empire of Influence: This documentary CNN Original Series will premiere on CNN+, produced with The New York Times and Left/Right. Based on and featuring exclusive reporting from the Time, this series will tell the story of the powerful media family and scrutinize their complicated, consequential history. The six-part series will also feature interviews from people who’ve worked inside various Murdoch companies, as well as archival footage.