CNN Strengthens Middle East prime time, as Connect the World with Becky Anderson moves to UAE

[As usual, press release first, then analysis]
"25 March 2014

CNN International anchor Becky Anderson is relocating from London to the UAE, in a move that will see her prime time show, Connect the World with Becky Anderson, anchored from CNN Abu Dhabi, the network’s Middle East broadcasting hub.


As part of the relocation, Connect the World will move to a new time slot and its format will evolve. Airing at 7:00pm from 6 April 2014, the show will form the backbone of the network’s prime time coverage in the Middle East, and strengthen CNN’s commitment to the region.

Becky Anderson said: “In many ways locating Connect the World in UAE is the perfect expression of the show’s philosophy. Geographically, culturally, and economically it is at the centre of so many important stories, and is an ever more significant global crossroads. As well as being an exceptionally dynamic place in itself, it is also an ideal location from which to access the rest of the Middle East and beyond.”


Alongside the familiar mix of news, insight and analysis of key stories, Connect the World will incorporate more stories from the region, and take advantage of its location at the meeting point between East and West. The programme will also take regular road trips, using Abu Dhabi as a stepping off point to explore a range of locations.

Anderson’s wealth of experience includes interviews with world leaders, Hollywood stars, and top CEOs. In addition to anchoring her prime time show, she has reported on a range of major news stories and events throughout her time at CNN.


Mike McCarthy, Senior Vice President of Programming at CNN International, said: “Becky brings fantastic knowledge and versatility to this important hub. Connect the World will remain focused on international news, but we want to take advantage of its new location to explore the stories that matter in the Middle East. The show will be fast-paced and multi-faceted, and will also take in business and cultural stories. It will debate and analyse the news, become a focal point for live reports, and continue to integrate social media into its format.”

Global Exchange, presented by CNN’s emerging markets editor John Defterios, becomes the daily branded business section within Connect the World, drawing on Defterios’ business expertise and regional knowledge to bring business to the fore.

McCarthy added: “Following on from the launch of the new CNN Arabic web site, and alongside our portfolio of programmes from the region, bringing Becky to UAE to join John underlines our commitment to this key part of the world.”

" ANALYSIS

• Though rumoured for quite a while now, thiss announcement still comes as a shock for various reasons. No matter how happy Becky may seem in the on air promos airing for the switch, I can't think of why any person in prime time in a large market like London (along with most of Europe and the whole of Africa) would willingly give up this 'top of the food chain' slot and leave their home country to move to the UAE and present a show that may still be prime time, but only in the Middle East. One has to wonder what the motive behind moving someone as senior as Becky to this new slot actually is.
• Though the release may make it seem as if Becky is going to the UAE to strengthen their offering targetted towards that market, which she is, one has to also has to now see that things at CNNs bureau there is in a mess. Think about it: That bureau is responsible for one hour of programming a day, yet it seems to have changed anchors so often over the last few months: John Defterios was the original and then, as someone at CNN fan noted, anyone BUT John Defterios, which included Becky herself, Hala Gorani, being done from Atlanta, and then seemingly settling on former Israeli-based correspondent Sara Sidner.
• One also has to wonder exactly what will happen to Sara now. She has had her ups and downs with anchoring the slot, but she wasn't too bad. Probably back to the field for her.
• It is nice to see John Defterios back hosting Global Exchange, though Global Exchange will be just a segment now.
• As a typical work week in the Middle East is not the typical length in the rest of the world, one has to wonder whether Connect the World will retain a Monday to Friday schedule, or adapt to the schedule of the show it is replacing: Sunday through Thursday. If it changes to Monday to Friday, it then displaces The Brief with Jim Clancy that typically airs in that slot on a Friday. 
• Becky now also vacates a piece of prime property during prime time (9pm London, 10pm South Africa). How this slot would be filled is yet to be announced. This is a typical example of CNN not making proper announcements or promoting a show properly because its old slot is one that is traditionally more competitive. 
• The CNN prime time schedule was last shuffled not too long ago (to allow for Quest Means Business to now broadcast from New York), so it would not make sense to have yet another shuffle so soon. However, I predict one of the current anchors would take over that slot (Either Richard Quest, Amanpour, which would put that back to an hour, or Hala Gorani.

Whatever happens, stay tuned...