Anderson Cooper hosts "Anderson Cooper 360" on CNN. (Screen grab via SnapStream/CNN)
In recent weeks, CNN has visibly swapped the traditional cable news aesthetic on some of its biggest shows for podcast microphones and office backdrops—causing a stir, as Status reported last week. The visible format change, ditching the tried-and-true style long associated with the network that pioneered cable news, has been most prominently seen on Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper’s programs. But the concepts didn’t entirely appear out of thin air.
In recent months, CNN chief executive Mark Thompson convened a series of internal workshops in which the network invited digital creators to hold court before a room of senior executives, Status has learned, walking them through the mechanics of building a loyal audience of millions on YouTube and TikTok without the conventions of a legacy medium. After the creators spoke, executives broke into smaller groups to discuss how those tactics might translate to CNN's programming and digital ambitions.
"Everybody was brainstorming ideas," one person familiar with the matter told Status, with the goal of trying to "shake loose something interesting" for audiences. The exercise reflects CNN’s growing interest in experimenting with more casual video formats and talent-driven content, as it looks to glean insights from creators who have found success navigating a digital media ecosystem increasingly shaped by finicky algorithms.
News organizations are racing to adapt to the landscape dominated by online video platforms like YouTube, where top creators command massive audiences built through personal connections. As these platforms rapidly become the default viewing destination for younger audiences, legacy outlets are confronting the uncomfortable truth that they are no longer the primary gateway to news and information, leaving them scrambling to compete meaningfully in a space they have not fully figured out.
As with the underwhelming reaction to CNN’s podcast flourishes, the endeavor is being met with some skepticism.
“You can replicate the format, but the format is not really what bonds people to the creators,” independent technology journalist Taylor Lorenz, who reported for The Washington Post before striking out on her own, told Status. “It’s personal connection.” While she argued that there is little downside in news outlets seeking strategic advice from creators, “Institutional corporate media is not going to be able to replicate that.” What they can do, she said, is “lend out their brand and give these creators mainstream credibility.”
CNN is hardly alone in casting out such lifelines and trial balloons. Across the industry, outlets are increasingly borrowing from the creator playbook, experimenting with different production styles and platform-specific storytelling. Even The New York Times, often viewed as the most successful legacy player navigating the digital transition, has also quietly sought out advice from successful creators, I’m told. The newspaper continues to aggressively hire in the video space, with editorial leaders focused on ensuring its journalism reaches audiences across a fragmented ecosystem.
“Our goal here is just to build the largest, the widest and most engaged audience that we can, and we see video as a way of doing that,” Jordan Vita, vice president of product for The Times, told the Hollywood Reporter in November.
Since the start of this year, The Times has brought on more than a dozen staffers across its video division, including senior video journalists, producers, editors, and technical staff. The recent additions include Corinne Chin as director of video talent, with the newspaper’s leadership touting her role as a key part of the “ambitious expansion of our video journalism.”
The hiring spree has also extended into creating roles aimed at helping journalists adapt to visual mediums. Just last week, The Times announced a video training editor, with Tom Denison tasked with serving as a “dedicated resource” to help reporters and editors develop video skills to implement across their storytelling. A Times spokesperson told Status the paper is hiring “based on evolving needs.”
Times leadership has also started studying the creator ecosystem, expressing interest internally in understanding the outsized influence of figures like Jimmy Donaldson, the YouTube star better known as MrBeast, who boasts more than 470 million subscribers on the platform. In comparison, The Times has just over 5 million subscribers on its primary YouTube channel.
When I noted that discrepancy to Lorenz, she was so shocked she had to double check the numbers, saying that alone “should have been a five-alarm fire” years ago. Lorenz argued that The Times might be too late to glean any valuable strategy advice from MrBeast, telling Status the online controversy du jour is that the creator is in his “flop era” amid accusations of buying views. “They’re literally on a five-year delay,” she said.
At DealBook’s annual conference in December, Donaldson discussed diversifying his business, expanding into television to get audiences “more invested in the brand.” He also argued that his personality had less to do with his success than the “crazy concepts” he and his team cook up.
Those insights seemingly contradict the way many news organizations are currently approaching their digital strategies, which have largely centered on elevating individual talent in new formats. If Lorenz is right, they may be wasting time seeking the next star, when what they should be doing is figuring out how to translate their journalism to new platforms in a way that feels native and engineered to hold consumers’ attention.
The POLITICO logo. (Courtesy of POLITICO)
After an extensive search, POLITICO announced that executive vice president Jonathan Greenberger will succeed John Harris as global editor-in-chief, effective May 1. [POLITICO]
Axel Springer chief executive Mathias Döpfner called Greenberger “an innovator” in a statement, citing his “tech savviness, journalistic excellence, and experience across platforms” in shaping POLITICO’s “next disruptive chapter."
Separately, the outlet removed a cartoon featuring Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Republican members of Congress after complaints of antisemitic imagery, saying the artwork "did not meet our standards" but offering no explanation for how it was initially approved. [The Wrap]
Bill Maher said he's "honored to accept" the Kennedy’s Center’s Mark Twain Prize after the Trump administration initially denied his selection, joking that he hopes Donald Trump shows up to the ceremony. [Deadline]
Megyn Kelly and Mark Levin continued trading schoolyard insults on social media, with Kelly accusing the Fox News personality of trying to “slut shame” her, and Levin calling her "a vile, mentally unhinged creep." [Mediaite]
Kelly also listed Levin among those who should be “held to account” for having “pushed” Trump toward the Iran war. [HuffPo]
A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order that has halted Nexstar’s merger with Tegna, a possible precursor to antitrust fights ahead for Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. [Deadline]
Peter Alexander announced that he will leave NBC News after more than two decades. Stephen Battaglio reported that the veteran newsman is moving to MS NOW to take over the 11 a.m. weekday slot. [LAT]
Status Scoop | NOTUS made another slew of hires, Status has learned, bringing on Dan Eggen as White House and national security editor, Elena Schneider as a campaign reporter, Akbar Shahid Ahmed as a diplomatic correspondent, Marissa Martinez as evening editor, and Nikie Johnson and Jonann Brady as copy editors.
Status Scoop | Axios promoted managing editor Eileen O’Reilly to head of standards and A.I. practices, Jim VandeHei announced in a memo to staff Friday. “Eileen is at the center of how Axios navigates what is next, connecting experimentation with standards and ensuring innovation strengthens our editorial integrity,” VandeHei wrote.
The Israeli military suspended a reserve battalion involved in the detention and assault of a CNN team in the West Bank and apologized after one of the soldiers placed a CNN photojournalist in a chokehold. [CNN]
Three Lebanese journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a clearly marked press vehicle. [Deadline]
Shut up and sing? Bruce Springsteen performed “Streets of Minneapolis” at a “No Kings” rally in St. Paul. [Billboard]
Ryan Gosling stars in "Project Hail Mary." (Photo via MGM/Everett Collection)
“Project Hail Mary” continued to soar with a terrific second-weekend trajectory, falling just 32% for a near-$55 million domestic haul.
With more than $300 million worldwide, it’s Amazon MGM’s top release since Amazon took over in 2022.
By way of comparison, the 10-day domestic cume of $164 million puts the Ryan Gosling-led film ahead of “Sinners” for the same frame.
“They Will Kill You,” by contrast, didn’t exactly knock ‘em dead, with just a $5 million opening for the Warner Bros. comedy-horror mashup.
Pixar’s “Hoppers” held steady in second with another $12 million, for $138 million and nearly $300 million globally.
The latest episode of our podcast Power Lines is out.
In this week’s episode: We examine Bari Weiss’ catastrophic—yes, catastrophic—quarterly ratings report card, and respond to our Puck peers and Nellie Bowles for downplaying CBS News’ cratering viewership. We also discuss mounting pressure on CNN chief Mark Thompson, who was hammered by staff this week about maintaining the network’s editorial integrity under incoming Paramount leadership. And we get into The NYT’s legal battle with Pete Hegseth over Pentagon access.
Plus, as part of our new Open Lines segment, we read and respond to comments left on our YouTube page! (You can participate by dropping us a question or comment right here.)
Watch the full episode of Power Lines on YouTube—or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the program, subscribe so you never miss an episode!
