NEW YORK, June 24 (UPI) -- CNN has reversed its early-evening plans and cut Paula Zahn's new show down to a one-hour 8 p.m. EDT news program.
The 7 p.m. slot went to Anderson Cooper.
CNN originally announced Zahn would anchor a two-hour program, "American Evening with Paula Zahn," with a format to be announced. The network is still not discussing the format, but it's apparent Cooper will preside over a show more focused on reporting the day's events than Zahn's, which will likely be more interview-driven, the Hollywood Reporter said.
Zahn and Cooper will stay in the current "Live From" format for about a month before formally launching their new programs in tandem.
One of Zahn's challenges is to produce an innovative show on a tight budget.
"This is one of the key underpinnings of our whole primetime lineup," she said. "They have to make a commitment to it, and they have."
