CNN changes morning show lineup again, adds extra Kasie Hunt hour

CNN is revamping its morning lineup — again.

The network first introduced its reimagined morning program "CNN This Morning" in September 2022 and two years later, they are changing their morning slate again. CNN will expand Kasie Hunt's 5 a.m. show "Early Start," and that program will adopt the "CNN This Morning" title.

The network is also axing both current hosts Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly from "This Morning" and discussing new roles at the for the duo, who CNN CEO Mark Thompson called "huge stars."

The network is also reshuffling "CNN News Central" to air from 7 a.m until 10 a.m. with co-anchors John Berman, Kate Bolduan and Sara Sidner. Jim Acosta will now take the helm of "CNN Newsroom" after "News Central" followed by "The Bulletin with Pamela Brown," which is set to launch when Brown returns from maternity leave. For now, Wolf Blitzer is slated to anchor the 11 a.m. hour until Brown's return. The changes take place later this month.

Former CNN host Don Lemon returns with 'The Don Lemon Show,' new media company

CNN changes follow Don Lemon, Chris Licht exits in 2023

The changes come after a controversial year at CNN where the network made news of its own.

Former CNN favorite Don Lemon was fired following two respective incidents involving Republican presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy, who has since dropped out of the race.

Lemon got in an on-air spat with Ramaswamy and told his "This Morning" co-hosts Harlow and Kaitlan Collins thatHaley "is not in her prime" in response to the former South Carolina governor's comments about "mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old." He has since staged a comeback with a new media company and its first project, "The Don Lemon Show, a program set to air on X.

Embattled CNN CEO Chris Licht stepping down after controversial year

In June, CNN fired former CEO Chris Licht, who was responsible for the new "CNN This Morning" with Lemon, Harlow and Collins. Licht courted a series of controversies, including issues with talent like Lemon and a wide-ranging profile in The Atlantic about his struggles to take control of the network.

Collins has since been moved to the coveted 9 p.m. slot on the network, which was formerly held by anchor Chris Cuomo, who hosted a program on the network before his ouster in December 2021. Cuomo was fired after reports surfaced that he helped his brother, embattled former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, when he was accused of sexual harassment. He now hosts a new program, "Cuomo," on NewsNation.

Contributing: David Bauder, Elise Brisco, Kelly Lawler

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CNN expands with Kasie Hunt, changes morning show lineup