CNN in a "holding action", says Schonfeld

CNN co-founder Reese Schonfeld has offered his opinions on the new CNN programming lineup on his MeAndTed.com website.

In his latest 'Bits and Pieces' update, Schonfeld says that after watching American Morning sans Paula Zahn, and the channel's new two-hour primetime news slot hosted by the same anchor, he's concluded "they both need a lot of help," but adds "I assume they’re works in progress."

On another note though, Schonfeld is more positive: "I’m very pleased to see CNN go back to a two hour, almost prime time news report. The down side of a 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM east coast schedule is that it goes head-to-head with 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM local news on the west coast."

The new two-hour Paula Zahn show replaces in part the now-axed Connie Chung Tonight. Interestingly, as Schonfeld points out, it does mark a return to news around primetime; the network previously aired in the distant past a newscast known as Prime News 120, from 8pm through to 10pm ET.