CNN Replacing Top Show Execs

By Allison Romano -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/3/2005 4:41:00 PM

In the latest attempt to juice up prime time, CNN is expected to name broadcast news veterans as executive producers on two of its news programs.

David Doss, who has been executive producer for ABC's news magazine, Prime Time Thursday, and the NBC Nightly News, will take over Anderson Cooper's 7 p.m. show, Anderson Cooper 360, replacing Terry Baker, also a former ABC producer who worked on Nightline.

Another ABC veteran, Victor Neufeld, will be the new executive producer of CNN's 8 p.m. show, Paula Zahn Now.

Neufeld most recently was no. 2 at the CBS Early Show and had previously executive produced ABC's 20/20 and Prime Time Thursday. He takes over for Mark Nelson, a former National Geographic Channel exec who also spent 17 years at ABC News.
 
With Fox News Channel solidly out in front in ratings, new CNN President Jonathan Klein has been working furiously on the network's programming and personnel. Among his priorities is remaking the executive producer ranks.

In February, Klein ousted the top producer of Aaron Brown's 10 p.m. newscast, Sharon Van Zwieten, and moved American Morning's top producer, Will Surratt, into the job.
 
Both Cooper and Zahn's shows have endured turmoil at the top. The programs were once under the watch of former executive producer Jim Miller, but he exited in March 2004 after female staffers complained of inappropriate conduct.

Expect more changes out of CNN in the coming days.

Longtime Washington anchor Judy Woodruff signed off Friday and Klein is expected to unveil his new afternoon lineup. Veteran afternoon show, Crossfire, signed off on Friday.

Crossfire Hosts Paul Begala, James Carville and Robert Novak said they weren't going anywhere, continuing to appear daily on Inside Politics, Woodruff's old stomping grounds.

Carville also said that a new political show anchored by Wolf Blitzer would debut sometime in the summer.