Sam Feist. (Courtesy photo)
C-span has tapped a long-time CNN journalist to serve as its next chief executive officer, the network confirmed this week.
Sam Feist recently held the role of bureau chief at CNN’s Washington office. He previously served as CNN’s political director and the vice president of the network’s programming. Feist joined CNN in 1991, the same year the network went mainstream for its coverage of an American bombing campaign at the start of the first Gulf War.
Feist starts at C-span in June, where he will assume the CEO role from departing co-chief executives Rob Kennedy and Susan Swain. Both held the co-ceo position for more than a decade.
“Our democracy needs C-span now more than ever,” Feist said in a statement. “I look forward to working with C-span’s extraordinary and dedicated team to expand the network’s reach and meet new audiences wherever they are.
C-span has tapped a long-time CNN journalist to serve as its next chief executive officer, the network confirmed this week.
Sam Feist recently held the role of bureau chief at CNN’s Washington office. He previously served as CNN’s political director and the vice president of the network’s programming. Feist joined CNN in 1991, the same year the network went mainstream for its coverage of an American bombing campaign at the start of the first Gulf War.
Feist starts at C-span in June, where he will assume the CEO role from departing co-chief executives Rob Kennedy and Susan Swain. Both held the co-ceo position for more than a decade.
“Our democracy needs C-span now more than ever,” Feist said in a statement. “I look forward to working with C-span’s extraordinary and dedicated team to expand the network’s reach and meet new audiences wherever they are.
- 5/16/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
Longtime CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist will leave the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news outlet to take the helm of C-span as its new CEO.
Feist will remain at CNN through June and take the reins of C-span later in the summer, succeeding co-CEOs Rob Kennedy and Susan Swain. Founded in 1979 by a group of cable operators, C-span is devoted to televising the activity in the chambers of the U.S. House and Senate as well related political content, analysis and roundtable discussions.
“Our democracy needs C-span now more than ever,” Feist said. “I look forward to working with C-span’s extraordinary and dedicated team to expand the network’s reach and meet new audiences where they are. C-span is an American treasure and I could not be more excited to lead this essential institution.”
Kennedy will step down from his post at the end of this week. Swain...
Feist will remain at CNN through June and take the reins of C-span later in the summer, succeeding co-CEOs Rob Kennedy and Susan Swain. Founded in 1979 by a group of cable operators, C-span is devoted to televising the activity in the chambers of the U.S. House and Senate as well related political content, analysis and roundtable discussions.
“Our democracy needs C-span now more than ever,” Feist said. “I look forward to working with C-span’s extraordinary and dedicated team to expand the network’s reach and meet new audiences where they are. C-span is an American treasure and I could not be more excited to lead this essential institution.”
Kennedy will step down from his post at the end of this week. Swain...
- 5/14/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Sam Feist, the longtime Washington, D.C. bureau chief of CNN, will become the next CEO of C-span.
Feist will succeed Rob Kennedy and Susan Swain, who have been in the role as co-CEOs since 2012. Founding CEO Brian Lamb remains on the board of directors.
Feist has served as Washington bureau chief and senior vice president at CNN since 2011. He oversees newsgathering operations and production, as well as coverage of major political events. He joined the network in 1990, as a freelance producer in the London bureau, and later moved to Atlanta and then to Washington, D.C. in 1992. He became political director and vice president of Washington programming, and has coordinated daily political coverage and election night production since 2006. He also was the founding executive producer of The Situation Room.
In a statement, Feist said, “Our democracy needs C-span now more than ever. I look forward to working
with C-span...
Feist will succeed Rob Kennedy and Susan Swain, who have been in the role as co-CEOs since 2012. Founding CEO Brian Lamb remains on the board of directors.
Feist has served as Washington bureau chief and senior vice president at CNN since 2011. He oversees newsgathering operations and production, as well as coverage of major political events. He joined the network in 1990, as a freelance producer in the London bureau, and later moved to Atlanta and then to Washington, D.C. in 1992. He became political director and vice president of Washington programming, and has coordinated daily political coverage and election night production since 2006. He also was the founding executive producer of The Situation Room.
In a statement, Feist said, “Our democracy needs C-span now more than ever. I look forward to working
with C-span...
- 5/14/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
C-span has found its next CEO, and it is a familiar face to the world of TV news.
Sam Feist, the longtime Washington D.C. bureau chief of CNN, has been selected to be the cable-funded non-profit’s next chief executive. Feist has led CNN’s D.C. bureau since 2011, and started at the cable channel in 1990.
Pat Esser, the former CEO of Cox, who is C-span’s chairman, called Feist “an outstanding leader who is trusted and respected by both sides of the aisle and who has a deep respect for C-span’s nonpartisan mission.”
Fesit, meanwhile, heaped praise on the the small but mighty public affairs organization.
“Our democracy needs C-span now more than ever,” said Feist in a statement. “I look forward to working with C-span’s extraordinary and dedicated team to expand the network’s reach and meet new audiences where they are.”
“C-span is an American...
Sam Feist, the longtime Washington D.C. bureau chief of CNN, has been selected to be the cable-funded non-profit’s next chief executive. Feist has led CNN’s D.C. bureau since 2011, and started at the cable channel in 1990.
Pat Esser, the former CEO of Cox, who is C-span’s chairman, called Feist “an outstanding leader who is trusted and respected by both sides of the aisle and who has a deep respect for C-span’s nonpartisan mission.”
Fesit, meanwhile, heaped praise on the the small but mighty public affairs organization.
“Our democracy needs C-span now more than ever,” said Feist in a statement. “I look forward to working with C-span’s extraordinary and dedicated team to expand the network’s reach and meet new audiences where they are.”
“C-span is an American...
- 5/14/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The chants and shouts of pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the entry to the Washington Hilton for this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, but once inside, attendees were greeted with what has become the usual scene: Celebrities on the red carpet, a crush for the security line and glitterati packed into a cavernous ballroom.
“I want to thank my wife for enduring lots of jokes and for agreeing to individually meet everyone in this room right after the ceremony,” the evening’s featured entertainer, Colin Jost, quipped about Scarlett Johansson, who posed for photos with a non-stop stream of attendees. She continued to do so later in the evening, at the Comcast-nbcu after party at the French ambassador’s residence.
Joe Biden laughs at Colin Jost as he entertains at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The protests outside — now ubiquitous at any public event, much less one that mixes politics,...
“I want to thank my wife for enduring lots of jokes and for agreeing to individually meet everyone in this room right after the ceremony,” the evening’s featured entertainer, Colin Jost, quipped about Scarlett Johansson, who posed for photos with a non-stop stream of attendees. She continued to do so later in the evening, at the Comcast-nbcu after party at the French ambassador’s residence.
Joe Biden laughs at Colin Jost as he entertains at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The protests outside — now ubiquitous at any public event, much less one that mixes politics,...
- 4/28/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN’s CEO Mark Thompson laid out a strategy for the news organization, focusing on integrating linear TV and digital news units, and boosting its presence and innovation on smart phones and other mobile devices.
In a memo to employees sent today (read it below), Thompson called his plans a “true multimedia strategy,” including the combination of the leadership of the international, domestic and digital news operations.
Virginia Moseley has been named to a new role as executive editor of CNN and Mike McCarthy, who had been general manager of CNN International, will be managing editor. “As far as possible we want single integrated teams to cover stories for all platforms,” he wrote.
Thompson also announced the hiring of Alex MacCallum as the new executive vice president of digital products and services, tasked with developing new digital products and “the subscription and other relationships with users that will make CNN once again indispensable to younger,...
In a memo to employees sent today (read it below), Thompson called his plans a “true multimedia strategy,” including the combination of the leadership of the international, domestic and digital news operations.
Virginia Moseley has been named to a new role as executive editor of CNN and Mike McCarthy, who had been general manager of CNN International, will be managing editor. “As far as possible we want single integrated teams to cover stories for all platforms,” he wrote.
Thompson also announced the hiring of Alex MacCallum as the new executive vice president of digital products and services, tasked with developing new digital products and “the subscription and other relationships with users that will make CNN once again indispensable to younger,...
- 1/17/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated, 7:40 Pm: HBO Max (now Max), National Geographic and Prime Video were among the big winners on the second of two nights for the 44th annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the trophies for the documentary categories were handed out tonight at the Palladium Times Square in New York City.
Nat Geo’s Retrograde won for Outstanding Current Events Documentary, and Netflix’s In Her Hands took the Politics and Government category.
See the full list of Documentary category winners here, Wednesday night’s News winners here and the combined two-night list here.
The erstwhile HBO max led all networks and platforms with six wins, followed by Nat Geo with five and Prime Video’s three. Streamers Netflix and Paramount+ nabbed two each.
“There has never been a time when the need for thoughtful and hard-hitting documentaries has been greater, nor...
Nat Geo’s Retrograde won for Outstanding Current Events Documentary, and Netflix’s In Her Hands took the Politics and Government category.
See the full list of Documentary category winners here, Wednesday night’s News winners here and the combined two-night list here.
The erstwhile HBO max led all networks and platforms with six wins, followed by Nat Geo with five and Prime Video’s three. Streamers Netflix and Paramount+ nabbed two each.
“There has never been a time when the need for thoughtful and hard-hitting documentaries has been greater, nor...
- 9/29/2023
- by Erik Pedersen and Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN and Vice were among the top winners at the 44th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards on Wednesday, with the former earning 10 Emmys and the latter picking up nine.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) presented the News category winners during a live ceremony at the Palladium Times Square in New York City and streamed live on NATAS’ viewing platform powered by Vimeo, the first of a two-night fete. The Documentary category winners will be announced in a second ceremony held at the Palladium on Thursday.
Scheduled presenters at the Wednesday night News ceremony included The New York Times‘ Yousur Al-Hlou, NBC News’ Ellison Barber, CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist, CBS Evening News‘ Norah O’Donnell, ABC News’ John Quiñones, Telemundo’s Johana Suarez, Univision’s Pedro Ultreras and CNN chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward.
Longtime CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer was the previously announced recipient of the...
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) presented the News category winners during a live ceremony at the Palladium Times Square in New York City and streamed live on NATAS’ viewing platform powered by Vimeo, the first of a two-night fete. The Documentary category winners will be announced in a second ceremony held at the Palladium on Thursday.
Scheduled presenters at the Wednesday night News ceremony included The New York Times‘ Yousur Al-Hlou, NBC News’ Ellison Barber, CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist, CBS Evening News‘ Norah O’Donnell, ABC News’ John Quiñones, Telemundo’s Johana Suarez, Univision’s Pedro Ultreras and CNN chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward.
Longtime CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer was the previously announced recipient of the...
- 9/28/2023
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CNN announced a series of promotions in its domestic newsgathering division.
Matthew Hilk was upped to senior vice president, news and domestic editorial director, as the editorial lead for domestic coverage and planning.
Adam Levine was promoted to senior vice president of news and Washington executive editorial director, the editorial lead for D.C. newsgathering, with oversight of the investigative unit. The latter will now be part of newsgathering.
Leora Kapelus was named senior vice president of news and enterprise, coordinating large breaking news and enterprise stories, with expansion into weather/climate, health, and race and equality . In addition, Ben Tinker was named vice president of domestic beats, expanding oversight to include health/science, climate, weather and race.
The network also announced the hire of Daniel Strauss as a reporter covering national politics. Strauss was previously a staff writer and senior political correspondent at New Republic.
Virginia Moseley, executive vice president of editorial,...
Matthew Hilk was upped to senior vice president, news and domestic editorial director, as the editorial lead for domestic coverage and planning.
Adam Levine was promoted to senior vice president of news and Washington executive editorial director, the editorial lead for D.C. newsgathering, with oversight of the investigative unit. The latter will now be part of newsgathering.
Leora Kapelus was named senior vice president of news and enterprise, coordinating large breaking news and enterprise stories, with expansion into weather/climate, health, and race and equality . In addition, Ben Tinker was named vice president of domestic beats, expanding oversight to include health/science, climate, weather and race.
The network also announced the hire of Daniel Strauss as a reporter covering national politics. Strauss was previously a staff writer and senior political correspondent at New Republic.
Virginia Moseley, executive vice president of editorial,...
- 7/31/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Marlin, EVP of strategy and business operations at CNN, will exit the network at the end of the month, in the aftermath of the firing of CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht in June.
The network issued a memo Friday that included the announcement of Marlin’s departure. The memo noted that Marlin’s opening will be filled partly by Cynthia Hudson. She will be reporting to Sam Feist, CNN’s Washington bureau chief and senior vice president.
A spokesperson for the network confirmed Marlin’s departure to TheWrap
Marlin was brought in by Licht to oversee business operations. Prior to his role at CNN, Marlin was the president of Lennar International, a property developer in Florida.
Just last month, Licht was shown the door by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO after a rocky tenure at the network which included a failed morning programming move, a controversial town hall with Donald Trump,...
The network issued a memo Friday that included the announcement of Marlin’s departure. The memo noted that Marlin’s opening will be filled partly by Cynthia Hudson. She will be reporting to Sam Feist, CNN’s Washington bureau chief and senior vice president.
A spokesperson for the network confirmed Marlin’s departure to TheWrap
Marlin was brought in by Licht to oversee business operations. Prior to his role at CNN, Marlin was the president of Lennar International, a property developer in Florida.
Just last month, Licht was shown the door by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO after a rocky tenure at the network which included a failed morning programming move, a controversial town hall with Donald Trump,...
- 7/21/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
Update, with video: NBC’s Today team gave a toast Pete Williams on Friday as the veteran Supreme Court and Justice Department correspondent retires at the end of this month.
“When Pete speaks, it is fully vetted, you know that it is accurate, you know that it is fair,” said Today co-host Savannah Guthrie.
The Today team of Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Sheinelle Jones and Tom Llamas held up glasses of champagne to toast Williams, who held up his own glass from NBC News’ Washington, D.C. bureau.
Williams has not announced what he will do next, but said that he has “plenty of new projects to take on.” Williams has been with the network for almost 30 years.
Kelly O’Donnell will add to her duties as senior White House correspondent and serve as interim Supreme Court correspondent until a permanent successor is chosen. The network also announced a series of changes...
“When Pete speaks, it is fully vetted, you know that it is accurate, you know that it is fair,” said Today co-host Savannah Guthrie.
The Today team of Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Sheinelle Jones and Tom Llamas held up glasses of champagne to toast Williams, who held up his own glass from NBC News’ Washington, D.C. bureau.
Williams has not announced what he will do next, but said that he has “plenty of new projects to take on.” Williams has been with the network for almost 30 years.
Kelly O’Donnell will add to her duties as senior White House correspondent and serve as interim Supreme Court correspondent until a permanent successor is chosen. The network also announced a series of changes...
- 7/29/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Licht, who took over leadership of CNN Worldwide last month, wants to rein in the use of the “breaking news” banner.
In a memo to employees on Thursday, Licht wrote that the network has added a “breaking news” guideline to its stylebook, addressing complaints that the banner is overused.
“It has become such a fixture on every channel and network that its impact has become lost on the audience,” Licht said, according to the memo obtained by Deadline (read it below).
Licht added, “We are truth-tellers, focused on informing, not alarming our viewers. You’ve already seen far less of the ‘Breaking News’ banner across our programming. The tenor of our voice holistically has to reflect that. As I have said, we must be vital, relevant, and respected – and how we show up for our audiences, in every story, in every part of the country, and around the world,...
In a memo to employees on Thursday, Licht wrote that the network has added a “breaking news” guideline to its stylebook, addressing complaints that the banner is overused.
“It has become such a fixture on every channel and network that its impact has become lost on the audience,” Licht said, according to the memo obtained by Deadline (read it below).
Licht added, “We are truth-tellers, focused on informing, not alarming our viewers. You’ve already seen far less of the ‘Breaking News’ banner across our programming. The tenor of our voice holistically has to reflect that. As I have said, we must be vital, relevant, and respected – and how we show up for our audiences, in every story, in every part of the country, and around the world,...
- 6/2/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Opening his remarks to a crowd in the backyard of his Kalorama neighborhood home, Ireland’s Ambassador Daniel Mulhall quipped, “I’m kind of wondering: Is it legal to have so many people at a party?”
He was speaking at the Bytes & Bylines event on Thursday evening, in what could be described as a kickoff to a weekend of receptions, parties, brunches and special dinners surrounding Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Covid cancellations in the past two years have put much of D.C.’s social swirl on hold or in a rather tentative state. And despite a contagious variant that spread through an event earlier this month, the Gridiron Club dinner, along with Vice President Kamala Harris’ positive test earlier this week, the show is going on, with most events requiring proof of a negative test and vaccination.
A few miles away, at the White House, President Joe Biden...
He was speaking at the Bytes & Bylines event on Thursday evening, in what could be described as a kickoff to a weekend of receptions, parties, brunches and special dinners surrounding Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Covid cancellations in the past two years have put much of D.C.’s social swirl on hold or in a rather tentative state. And despite a contagious variant that spread through an event earlier this month, the Gridiron Club dinner, along with Vice President Kamala Harris’ positive test earlier this week, the show is going on, with most events requiring proof of a negative test and vaccination.
A few miles away, at the White House, President Joe Biden...
- 4/29/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
One year into the Biden administration, the nation’s big TV news organizations’ hopes for a return to normalcy have yet to be borne out.
While White House activity has found a more familiar cadence during President Joe Biden’s first year — ABC News political director Rick Klein calls it “professional” — many of the TV reporters who cover the place say their working lives have yet to return to pre-Trump rhythms. The ongoing pandemic and ramped up demands for streaming initiatives have increased pressure on correspondents and news organizations at a time when traditional ratings are down.
“Today was bananas,” says Cecilia Vega, ABC News’ chief White House correspondent, during a recent phone interview that started just after 11 a.m. — before the day was even halfway through. She had been working furiously since 5 in the morning. “Is it slower? We are not at the point at the White House where...
While White House activity has found a more familiar cadence during President Joe Biden’s first year — ABC News political director Rick Klein calls it “professional” — many of the TV reporters who cover the place say their working lives have yet to return to pre-Trump rhythms. The ongoing pandemic and ramped up demands for streaming initiatives have increased pressure on correspondents and news organizations at a time when traditional ratings are down.
“Today was bananas,” says Cecilia Vega, ABC News’ chief White House correspondent, during a recent phone interview that started just after 11 a.m. — before the day was even halfway through. She had been working furiously since 5 in the morning. “Is it slower? We are not at the point at the White House where...
- 1/19/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Updated, with comment from the Post’s Fred Ryan: Representatives from CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post met with Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday to talk about new rules designed to limit prosecutors from subpoenaing journalists’ records in an effort to find their sources.
The meeting came after the three media outlets reported that some of their journalists had received notice that federal prosecutors had secretly obtained phone and email data starting during the Trump administration. The disclosure apparently was connected to leak investigations.
President Joe Biden has called such a practice “simply, simply wrong,” and the Justice Department subsequently announced a change in policy to no longer seek subpoenas to obtain such records during leak investigations. But the news outlets and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press said that they had a series of unanswered questions as to how the seizure of records happened,...
The meeting came after the three media outlets reported that some of their journalists had received notice that federal prosecutors had secretly obtained phone and email data starting during the Trump administration. The disclosure apparently was connected to leak investigations.
President Joe Biden has called such a practice “simply, simply wrong,” and the Justice Department subsequently announced a change in policy to no longer seek subpoenas to obtain such records during leak investigations. But the news outlets and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press said that they had a series of unanswered questions as to how the seizure of records happened,...
- 6/14/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS News veteran Kim Godwin is expected to become the next president of ABC News, a move that would make her the first Black executive to lead a broadcast-network news division in the U.S.
Godwin has had an offer from Disney’s ABC for several weeks, according to a person familiar with the matter, but only in the last few days did CBS CEO George Cheeks agree to let the executive out of her contract. The decision, this person says, was not an easy one for CBS to make; the company wanted to keep Godwin on board. Godwin was recently given new responsibilities at CBS’ local stations, taking oversight of news operations there in the wake of the dismissal of executives Peter Dunn and David Friend amid a probe of allegations about their behavior.
CBS News declined to comment. ABC News, CBS and Disney could not be reached for immediate comment.
Godwin has had an offer from Disney’s ABC for several weeks, according to a person familiar with the matter, but only in the last few days did CBS CEO George Cheeks agree to let the executive out of her contract. The decision, this person says, was not an easy one for CBS to make; the company wanted to keep Godwin on board. Godwin was recently given new responsibilities at CBS’ local stations, taking oversight of news operations there in the wake of the dismissal of executives Peter Dunn and David Friend amid a probe of allegations about their behavior.
CBS News declined to comment. ABC News, CBS and Disney could not be reached for immediate comment.
- 4/9/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s search for a new leader for ABC News continues weeks after the company unexpectedly disclosed the former president, James Goldston, would leave the post.
Goldston’s last day came at the end of March and the company has yet to hone in on a candidate to replace him, according to four people familiar with parts of the search process. When ABC News heads like David Westin or Ben Sherwood left in years past, Disney identified a successor. That hasn’t been the case in the current matter.
Disney and ABC News declined to make executives available for comment.
The quest for a news leader comes as ABC News is taking up more space in the company’s overall programming mix. The division has begun to generate more hours for primetime, where live news specials and deep dives into colorful stories have found a broader perch, and as Americans...
Goldston’s last day came at the end of March and the company has yet to hone in on a candidate to replace him, according to four people familiar with parts of the search process. When ABC News heads like David Westin or Ben Sherwood left in years past, Disney identified a successor. That hasn’t been the case in the current matter.
Disney and ABC News declined to make executives available for comment.
The quest for a news leader comes as ABC News is taking up more space in the company’s overall programming mix. The division has begun to generate more hours for primetime, where live news specials and deep dives into colorful stories have found a broader perch, and as Americans...
- 4/6/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
On Election Night, CNN dispatched its spirited primetime anchors to host shows in daytime and late-night, and reserved 7 p.m. on for analysis, analysis, analysis.
John King emerged as an early and heavy presence on CNN, working his regular shift at the network’s signature “Magic Wall,” but this year, he is armed with caveats. Nearly every other phrase out of King’s mouth this year is one urging viewers to be patient, using phrases like “this is early,” “I just want to caution you,” “if it holds,” and “we will check back later in the night.”
Part of that is a feature of this year’s Election Night preparation at CNN. The network, like many of its rivals, wants to make sure viewers understand where the vote is heading and why, using graphics representing how many votes were cast early, how many are left to come in, and more...
John King emerged as an early and heavy presence on CNN, working his regular shift at the network’s signature “Magic Wall,” but this year, he is armed with caveats. Nearly every other phrase out of King’s mouth this year is one urging viewers to be patient, using phrases like “this is early,” “I just want to caution you,” “if it holds,” and “we will check back later in the night.”
Part of that is a feature of this year’s Election Night preparation at CNN. The network, like many of its rivals, wants to make sure viewers understand where the vote is heading and why, using graphics representing how many votes were cast early, how many are left to come in, and more...
- 11/4/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Florida will count its results relatively quickly; Pennsylvania won’t. President Donald Trump already is saying that it all should be over on November 3, raising fears that if not he’ll declare victory early, or insist that the process is rigged.
Networks are grappling with a potentially complicated, long-drawn out Election Night, the possibility that no winner will be known and even that the process will extend for days or even weeks. They have been rehearsing all sorts of different scenarios, but more than anything insist that they are proceeding with a sense of caution.
“We want to make sure that our viewers understand that just because it takes longer to count the ballots, the mail in ballots in particular, that doesn’t mean anything is wrong,” said Sam Feist, CNN’s Washington bureau chief and senior vice president. “If it takes a day or two to know who the winner is,...
Networks are grappling with a potentially complicated, long-drawn out Election Night, the possibility that no winner will be known and even that the process will extend for days or even weeks. They have been rehearsing all sorts of different scenarios, but more than anything insist that they are proceeding with a sense of caution.
“We want to make sure that our viewers understand that just because it takes longer to count the ballots, the mail in ballots in particular, that doesn’t mean anything is wrong,” said Sam Feist, CNN’s Washington bureau chief and senior vice president. “If it takes a day or two to know who the winner is,...
- 11/2/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Voters expected the nation’s big TV-news outlets to go late into the night on Election Day. But they may not have anticipated any of them starting up very early Sunday, several days ahead of the big event.
CNN anchor Kate Bolduan normally holds forth late mornings on the cable-news outlet, when many of her viewers are in the middle of their day. On Sunday morning, she started discussing the latest headlines at 3 a.m. – when even the most die-hard Saturday-night reveler has probably nodded off for the evening. ABC News prepared a “bonus” episode this morning of its “Start Here” podcast, during which James Goldston, the unit’s president, tried to set viewer expectations for November 3, noting that audiences may not see as much of what has been a hallmark of Election Night — calling state races as early as possible, hopefully in advance of rivals. With the coronavirus pandemic...
CNN anchor Kate Bolduan normally holds forth late mornings on the cable-news outlet, when many of her viewers are in the middle of their day. On Sunday morning, she started discussing the latest headlines at 3 a.m. – when even the most die-hard Saturday-night reveler has probably nodded off for the evening. ABC News prepared a “bonus” episode this morning of its “Start Here” podcast, during which James Goldston, the unit’s president, tried to set viewer expectations for November 3, noting that audiences may not see as much of what has been a hallmark of Election Night — calling state races as early as possible, hopefully in advance of rivals. With the coronavirus pandemic...
- 11/1/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Update, 3:40 Pm Et: The first full day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is likely to be taken up by important procedural questions likely to trigger hours of acrimonious debate. Shortly after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the text of proposed rules and parameters for the trial, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “nothing short of a national disgrace.” Democrats are objecting to a number of proposals, including a plan to give each side 24 hours of time to lay out their case. But that would take place over two days for each side — meaning that the Senate (and viewers watching) are looking at 12-hour days that will spill over into the wee hours of the morning. Schumer said that the resolution “stipulates that key facts be delivered in the wee hours of the night simply because he doesn’t want the American public to hear from them.
- 1/21/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
As if TV news needed more headlines…
The usual suspects are gearing up to cover the U.S. Senate’s impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, the latest swirl in what seems to be a never-ending news cycle centered on the White House. But the impeachment proceedings, which kick off in earnest Tuesday, take place as many networks are also deep into coverage of the race among Democrats to secure the nomination for the 2020 election.
“There is an election campaign going on, and CNN has coverage plans that are somewhat unrelated to the impeachment trial,” says Sam Feist, CNN’s Washington Bureau chief, in an interview. “We will have to remain flexible.”
That’s not to say the AT&T-owned news outlet and its rivals aren’t gong to present hours of impeachment coverage. They are. “We have plans in place for anything that could happen,” says Susan Zirinsky, president of CBS News.
The usual suspects are gearing up to cover the U.S. Senate’s impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, the latest swirl in what seems to be a never-ending news cycle centered on the White House. But the impeachment proceedings, which kick off in earnest Tuesday, take place as many networks are also deep into coverage of the race among Democrats to secure the nomination for the 2020 election.
“There is an election campaign going on, and CNN has coverage plans that are somewhat unrelated to the impeachment trial,” says Sam Feist, CNN’s Washington Bureau chief, in an interview. “We will have to remain flexible.”
That’s not to say the AT&T-owned news outlet and its rivals aren’t gong to present hours of impeachment coverage. They are. “We have plans in place for anything that could happen,” says Susan Zirinsky, president of CBS News.
- 1/20/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper operate in different lanes at CNN. Cooper is the affable primetime newsman; Tapper is the Washington anchor focused on government and the White House. What circumstances might get them to join forces?
The duo held forth at 11 p.m. on CNN for a few nights last week — not the normal offering at that time — to guide viewers through all the news related to the burgeoning impeachment inquiry in the U.S. House into a whistleblower’s complaint that President Trump pressured Ukraine to interfere in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Reaction by the president was also discussed. The “special” hour “is a good wrap up,” says Sam Feist, CNN’s Washington bureau chief and a senior vice president. “It just makes sense to put it all together” at the end of particularly hectic days.
Chaotic news cycles have been the norm during the Trump...
The duo held forth at 11 p.m. on CNN for a few nights last week — not the normal offering at that time — to guide viewers through all the news related to the burgeoning impeachment inquiry in the U.S. House into a whistleblower’s complaint that President Trump pressured Ukraine to interfere in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Reaction by the president was also discussed. The “special” hour “is a good wrap up,” says Sam Feist, CNN’s Washington bureau chief and a senior vice president. “It just makes sense to put it all together” at the end of particularly hectic days.
Chaotic news cycles have been the norm during the Trump...
- 10/1/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBC News’ “Meet the Press” and CBS News’ “Face The Nation” regularly compete for Sunday-morning audiences and scoops from politicos. But this past weekend they looked nothing like one another.
On NBC, President Donald Trump dominated the hour by sitting down for a taped interview with host Chuck Todd. Over at CBS, “Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan featured a talk with Senator Bernie Sanders, one of the leading Democratic candidates for president.
“The news cycle has to be split to a greater degree than it was before,” notes Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Covering politics in this moment, he says, means trying to help voters get to know more than 20 Democratic candidates, many of whom aren’t well known by the greater public, and then trying to keep an eye on the President. “It’s all just totally unprecedented,” he adds.
Since Donald Trump was...
On NBC, President Donald Trump dominated the hour by sitting down for a taped interview with host Chuck Todd. Over at CBS, “Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan featured a talk with Senator Bernie Sanders, one of the leading Democratic candidates for president.
“The news cycle has to be split to a greater degree than it was before,” notes Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Covering politics in this moment, he says, means trying to help voters get to know more than 20 Democratic candidates, many of whom aren’t well known by the greater public, and then trying to keep an eye on the President. “It’s all just totally unprecedented,” he adds.
Since Donald Trump was...
- 6/26/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBC News is gearing up to cover two sprawling Democratic debates. But the trappings around them may remind viewers of another network staple: “Sunday Night Football.”
NBCUniversal will televise debates among the Democratic candidates for U.S. presidency over two nights and across three different TV networks, as well as via host of digital venues, including NBC’s recently launched streaming outlet NBC News Now as well as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Twenty different candidates will be grilled by at least one of five NBC News and MSNBC hosts – Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, Jose Diaz Balart, Rachel Maddow and Chuck Todd – over the course of two hours each on Wednesday and Thursday evening in events broadcast from Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center.
The telecast will mark the first time many viewers will be able to see former Vice President Joe Biden, widely considered a front-runner, spar with candidates including Senator...
NBCUniversal will televise debates among the Democratic candidates for U.S. presidency over two nights and across three different TV networks, as well as via host of digital venues, including NBC’s recently launched streaming outlet NBC News Now as well as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Twenty different candidates will be grilled by at least one of five NBC News and MSNBC hosts – Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, Jose Diaz Balart, Rachel Maddow and Chuck Todd – over the course of two hours each on Wednesday and Thursday evening in events broadcast from Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center.
The telecast will mark the first time many viewers will be able to see former Vice President Joe Biden, widely considered a front-runner, spar with candidates including Senator...
- 6/26/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
(Updated with CBS statement) Fox News has come out in support of CNN in CNN’s lawsuit against the White House’s decision to pull the press credentials of Jim Acosta, joining a dozen other media outlets announcing intent to file friend-of-the-court briefs to support CNN and its White House correspondent.
“Fox News supports CNN in its legal effort to regain its White House reporter’s press credential,” Fox News President Jay Wallace said in a statement.
Not long afterwards, CBS also chimed in with support for the Jeff Zucker run cable newser. “CBS News supports the White House Correspondents Association and CNN’s legal effort to restore access for its White House correspondent,” said the crew at Black Rock. “We do not believe that revoking White House press credentials is an appropriate remedy for a disagreement the White House may have with a particular reporter. We intend to file...
“Fox News supports CNN in its legal effort to regain its White House reporter’s press credential,” Fox News President Jay Wallace said in a statement.
Not long afterwards, CBS also chimed in with support for the Jeff Zucker run cable newser. “CBS News supports the White House Correspondents Association and CNN’s legal effort to restore access for its White House correspondent,” said the crew at Black Rock. “We do not believe that revoking White House press credentials is an appropriate remedy for a disagreement the White House may have with a particular reporter. We intend to file...
- 11/14/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
Sitting in NBC’s venerable Studio 1A, Andy Lack had to be thinking in 3D.
Playing out for the chairman of NBC News on dozens of screens was the network’s broadcast of its coverage of the 2018 midterm elections, with Savannah Guthrie, Lester Holt, Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell hashing out the latest voter data. Elsewhere in the same building, however, other pieces of Lack’s news operation were also playing out. At MSNBC, Rachel Maddow, Brian Williams, Nicolle Wallace and Chris Matthews were anchoring a different broadcast – one that would go on through the night, with Willie Geist taking the reins at 2 a.m. And earlier in the evening, Stephanie Ruhle had worked to jump-start a new broadband service, NBC News Signal, with an election preview.
“I do think there’s a real swirl around this election,” said Lack, perched behind a row of producers and top NBC News...
Playing out for the chairman of NBC News on dozens of screens was the network’s broadcast of its coverage of the 2018 midterm elections, with Savannah Guthrie, Lester Holt, Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell hashing out the latest voter data. Elsewhere in the same building, however, other pieces of Lack’s news operation were also playing out. At MSNBC, Rachel Maddow, Brian Williams, Nicolle Wallace and Chris Matthews were anchoring a different broadcast – one that would go on through the night, with Willie Geist taking the reins at 2 a.m. And earlier in the evening, Stephanie Ruhle had worked to jump-start a new broadband service, NBC News Signal, with an election preview.
“I do think there’s a real swirl around this election,” said Lack, perched behind a row of producers and top NBC News...
- 11/7/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
CNN is taking some of its coverage of politics off the TV screen and putting it into a special live forum.
The At&T-owned cable-news network is set to launch “Citizen by CNN,” a day-long conference slated to be held Monday, October 22, at the Time Warner Center in Manhattan. While some of the panels and interviews set to be featured will likely show up on the company’s flagship cable network, says Sam Feist, a CNN senior vice president who serves as Washington Bureau Chief, the wider intent is for the conference to burnish CNN’s ability to present non-partisan coverage of politics and issues that matter to viewers. The looming midterm elections in November lend new relevance to such an event, he adds.
“We are the news organization, the cable-news channel, that doesn’t pick sides. We play it down the middle and we are focused on news and coverage that matters,...
The At&T-owned cable-news network is set to launch “Citizen by CNN,” a day-long conference slated to be held Monday, October 22, at the Time Warner Center in Manhattan. While some of the panels and interviews set to be featured will likely show up on the company’s flagship cable network, says Sam Feist, a CNN senior vice president who serves as Washington Bureau Chief, the wider intent is for the conference to burnish CNN’s ability to present non-partisan coverage of politics and issues that matter to viewers. The looming midterm elections in November lend new relevance to such an event, he adds.
“We are the news organization, the cable-news channel, that doesn’t pick sides. We play it down the middle and we are focused on news and coverage that matters,...
- 10/3/2018
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Washington — Michelle Wolf’s monologue at the White House Correspondents Association dinner dominated the headlines coming out of the evening — even if it was a mere sliver of the four-hour event and only a moment in what is traditionally D.C.’s most social weekend.
The surreal aspect is usually the mix of newsmakers on opposite ends of the political spectrum or at odds in other ways — Michael Avenatti, Stormy Daniels’ attorney, was at the annual Garden Brunch on Saturday along with Kellyanne Conway.
Hollywood had a presence, although it was much more muted than in previous years. At Hamilton Live, Kevin Bacon and The Bacon Brothers at one point played “Footloose,” as they were the headliners to a series of journalist-bands, including Lester Holt and the Rough Cuts.
Some of the other events:
Bytes and Bylines (Thursday): One of the first events of the weekend, held at the...
The surreal aspect is usually the mix of newsmakers on opposite ends of the political spectrum or at odds in other ways — Michael Avenatti, Stormy Daniels’ attorney, was at the annual Garden Brunch on Saturday along with Kellyanne Conway.
Hollywood had a presence, although it was much more muted than in previous years. At Hamilton Live, Kevin Bacon and The Bacon Brothers at one point played “Footloose,” as they were the headliners to a series of journalist-bands, including Lester Holt and the Rough Cuts.
Some of the other events:
Bytes and Bylines (Thursday): One of the first events of the weekend, held at the...
- 4/29/2018
- by Ted Johnson
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.