Big changes announced at CNN

Teya Ryan has quit as the general manager of CNN's domestic network to "pursue opportunities outside the CNN organisation," it was revealed on Monday.

Her successor has already been announced, with Princell Hair joining CNN from Viacom, where he was Vice President of News for the Viacom Television Stations Group. In that position he was responsible for news coverage across thirty-nine local TV stations.

The position of executive vice president and general manager of CNN/US includes everything from programming lineups, content, and the on-air look of the network. During Ryan's tenure, the network experimented with changing all those components in order to better compete with the current number-one rated cable news network, Fox News. Fox continues to lead CNN both in total-day and primetime ratings.

In a memo to CNN staff, CNN chief Jim Walton said Hair's "professional credentials are extensive and impressive, but what makes him such a strong addition to the seasoned CNN executive team is his demonstrated ability to lead a news organisation. He combines practical newsroom experience and a deep respect for journalists and their craft with business acumen and the ability to foster communication and respect."

More fundamental changes to CNN's structure were also announced today, with the network's Newsgathering division, which currently operates as a stand-alone division serving both CNN Domestic and CNN International, being split off into separate functions within those networks. Walton explained:

"The Newsgathering infrastructure -- the people and resources operating within that framework -- is being integrated into the Domestic and International units, closer to programming decision-making and the journalism that ultimately airs."

Eason Jordan, currently the head of Newsgathering, is being promoted to CNN's executive vice president and chief news executive, maintaining his role as the network's editorial leader.