CNN quietly planning major change involving ‘NewsNight’ host Abby Phillip: report

CNN is quietly testing a new streaming talk show hosted by primetime anchor Abby Phillip that would mark a sharp departure from the network’s heavily political programming, according to a report.

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The project, first reported by Status, is tentatively titled “Confessions and Obsessions” and is being developed for CNN’s streaming platform as part of a broader push to experiment with new formats beyond hard news coverage.

The proposed show would feature a rotating roundtable of guests who each arrive with what the working concept describes as a personal “confession” and an “obsession,” according to the Status report.

Unlike Phillip’s nightly CNN program “NewsNight,” the streaming project is not expected to focus squarely on politics, signaling the network’s continued effort to broaden its programming mix as it tries to attract digital audiences and younger viewers, Status reported.

The show remains in development and has not been finalized, according to the report, meaning the title, format and launch plans could still change.

The Post has sought comment from CNN.

Phillip currently anchors “NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” the network’s 10 p.m. panel show, which has become one of CNN’s stronger performers in the key advertiser-coveted adults 25-54 demographic.

The Harvard-educated journalist joined CNN in 2017 after stints at Politico, ABC News and the Washington Post, later rising through the network as a White House correspondent before taking over the primetime slot in 2023.

CNN launched its latest streaming effort last year after the spectacular collapse of CNN+, the short-lived standalone streaming service that was shut down in 2022 just weeks after launch following the Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

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Under CEO Mark Thompson, CNN has been investing heavily in digital products and streaming video as traditional cable television audiences continue to erode across the news industry.

The network has also sought to diversify its talent lineup and experiment with personality-driven programming that extends beyond conventional political analysis.

Phillip, 37, has emerged as one of CNN’s most prominent anchors.

The possible expansion of Phillip’s role comes as CNN faces mounting competition not only from rival cable networks Fox News and MSNBC, but also from podcasts, YouTube creators and independent media personalities who increasingly dominate online conversation.

Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” is averaging nearly 3 million total viewers year-to-date, dramatically outperforming CNN’s “NewsNight with Abby Phillip” in the competitive 10 p.m. hour, according to Nielsen data.

From Dec. 29, 2025 through May 20, 2026, “Gutfeld!” averaged 2.969 million total viewers and 341,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted adults 25-54 demographic during the 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. weekday slot.

By comparison, CNN averaged 821,000 total viewers and 177,000 viewers in the key demo during the same period, according to the figures.

“Gutfeld!” also outperformed CNN’s entire primetime lineup combined in both total viewers and the key demo.

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Fox News shares common ownership with The Post.