CNN expanding Jake Tapper’s show to two hours, shortening Wolf Blitzer’s show

CNN is expanding Jake Tapper’s weekday show to two hours and shortening the time of Wolf Blitzer’s show from two hours to one, the network announced Monday. 

“The Lead with Jake Tapper” will air from 4 to 6 p.m. nightly starting in April as the CNN anchor will work as CNN’s lead anchor “for all major Washington events.”

Blitzer’s “The Situation Room” will now air from 6-7 p.m., instead of 5-7 p.m., nightly and Blitzer will serve as a principal anchor for all major breaking news and a host for CNN special reports.

The network announced that Dana Bash will co-anchor Sunday’s “State of the Union,” along with Tapper, with each hosting two Sundays per month starting Jan. 24. She has previously filled in for Tapper on the Sunday program.

Bash will also continue in her role as the chief political correspondent and will host quarterly prime-time interview specials.

CNN’s “Inside Politics Sunday” will be hosted by Abby Phillip from 8-9 a.m., ahead of “State of the Union,” starting on Jan. 24. The network named Phillip as the senior political correspondent.

Anchor John King, who previously hosted “Inside Politics Sunday” will continue anchoring “Inside Politics” on weekdays from 12 to 1 p.m. and serving as the chief national correspondent. 

CNN’s senior White House correspondent Pamela Brown will also take on anchoring, helming CNN Newsroom on Saturdays and Sundays from 6-9 p.m. beginning on Jan. 23.

Jim Acosta, the chief White House correspondent, is slated to become a weekend anchor and chief domestic correspondent for CNN, “with more details coming soon.” The correspondent was known for his sometimes combative interactions with President Trump and his White House press secretaries. 

The adjustments come as CNN prepares for President-elect Joe Biden’s administration, which will begin on Jan. 20. 

In 2020, CNN boasted its “best year ever” in ratings. Last week, the network said it had its most-watched day in history on the day that a pro-Trump mob raided the Capitol building, temporarily delaying Congress’s certification of Biden’s election win.