CNN adds two hours of live news at midnight anchored from LA

CNN just announced that Elex Michaelson will be joining as a Los Angeles–based anchor, taking over the 12–2 a.m. ET / 9–11 p.m. PT slot on both CNN and CNN International.

On paper, this looks like an investment in the overnight hours, but I’m concerned about what it means for CNNI’s global coverage. Right now, that two-hour block is often heavily focused on international news—Ukraine, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific developments—before the U.S. morning shows kick in.

Michaelson himself has hinted on Instagram that he’ll lean strongly into West Coast–focused stories (politics, entertainment, tech, etc.). While that’s valuable, it risks turning this block into another two hours of U.S.-centric coverage—essentially cutting even more time away from CNNI’s international programming.

Not sure if this is what we need.