Somewhere amid the storm and fury of the first Warner Brothers Discovery presentation to advertisers there were glimpses of what’s ahead for CNN.
Yes, Chris Licht, the network’s new chief, is talking about getting back to basics. “In a time when extremes are dominating cable news, we will go a different way,” he insisted.
But Licht is also continuing CNN’s habit of being an entertainment network on Sunday nights. This fall, that will include:
— Some of the shows that were slated for the now-vanished CNN+. Chris Wallace (shown here) will have his interview show then … on the same night where his dad (Mike Wallace) used to rule with “60 Minutes.” Eva Longoria will also have her food-and-travel show viewing Mexico.
— Other documentary series, including Stanley Tucci’s food-oriented “Searching For Italy.” Tom Hanks’ decade-by-decade series will move to the 2010s. Also, a new series is entitled “Say It Loud: The History of Black Television.”
— Some quicker documentaries on current news.
— And continuing CNN Films, which currently has documentary movies on Alexei Navalny and (on Memorial Day) Julia Child. Coming next are Gabby Giffords, Little Richard and the rise and fall of “HQ Trivia.”