Media

Keith Olbermann’s former producer hired as CNN Morning VP: report

by Joe Concha - 03/08/17 11:50 AM ET

A former executive producer for MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann is headed to CNN to be in charge of the network’s morning programming, including CNN’s “New Day” and “Early Start,” according to a Wednesday report in Variety.

Izzy Povich was with MSNBC for nearly two decades before departing last May. She was best known for serving as executive producer of primetime programs such as “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.”

At CNN, Povich is expected to be named morning VP, meaning she’ll oversee the network’s morning programming that runs from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.

{mosads}Current morning VP Jim Murphy will now head CNN’s documentary unit, according to the report.

Another former NBC producer, Javier Morgado, will still serve as executive producer of “New Day,” which is hosted by Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota.

The report comes as CNN announced the signing of former Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller, who will be joining the network as a political commentator.

CNN has turned its focus primarily to politics since the election, hiring several political commentators to fuel that effort.

Notable signings by the network in recent months include former Obama senior advisor Valarie Jarrett’s daughter, Laura Jarrett; former State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki; Washington Post reporters David Fahrenthold and Wesley Lowery; former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.); former Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.); former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D); J.D. Vance of National Review; and Salena Zito of the Washington Examiner, among others.