CNN is far from deciding on Chris Cuomo's replacement as it rotates anchors at the 9 p.m. timeslot

Variety

Michael Smerconish, Laura Coates, Brianna Keilar and Jim Acosta have been filling the timeslot, which has seen its viewership drop since Cuomo's firing late last year. "There’s nothing casual about filling a prime-time cable-news slot, even in these days of intense focus on the possibilities of streaming," explains Variety's Brian Steinberg. "CNN has seen its viewership at 9 p.m. erode noticeably since Cuomo departed. In 2021, Cuomo Prime Time and other weeknight 9 p.m. shows fetched an average of 293,000 people between 25 and 54, the audience advertisers want most in news programming. Last week’s 9 p.m. shows, a mix of Keilar and Anderson Cooper, nabbed an average of 147,000, according to Nielsen — representing a drop of 49.8%. Monday’s broadcast under Acosta garnered an average of 103,000." He adds: "CNN has economic incentive to find someone with appeal. Cuomo Prime Time generated $47 million in advertising through November of last year, according to Standard Media Index, a tracker of ad spending. Fox News Channel’s Hannity captured $54.3 million during that period, while MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show secured $45.5 million." But of the three, only Cuomo's timeslot saw the average cost of an ad rise.