CNN Reportedly Developing New Abby Phillip Streaming Show Beyond Politics

*CNN is reportedly developing a new streaming talk show for primetime anchor Abby Phillip that would move beyond politics and into more personality-driven conversations. According to a report from Status, the project is tentatively titled “Confessions and Obsessions” and would feature guests sharing personal confessions and obsessions in a roundtable-style format. The proposed format would […] The post CNN Reportedly Developing New Abby Phillip Streaming Show Beyond Politics appeared first on EURweb | Black News, Culture, Entertainment & More.

May 29, 2026 - 08:32

CNN Reportedly Developing New Abby Phillip Streaming Show Beyond Politics

Abby Philip - via Instagram — Abby Philip – via Instagram

*CNN is reportedly developing a new streaming talk show for primetime anchor Abby Phillip that would move beyond politics and into more personality-driven conversations.

According to a report from Status, the project is tentatively titled “Confessions and Obsessions” and would feature guests sharing personal confessions and obsessions in a roundtable-style format.

The proposed format would mark a noticeable departure from Phillip’s nightly CNN program, “NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” which focuses heavily on politics and current events.

The show remains in development and has not been finalized, meaning the title, format, and launch plans could still change.

CNN Continues Moving Beyond Traditional Cable News

The possible expansion of Phillip’s role comes as CNN aggressively experiments with new digital and streaming formats under CEO Mark Thompson.

The network has spent the past two years trying to reposition itself for younger, mobile-first audiences as traditional cable news viewership continues to decline across the industry.

According to the Status report, “Confessions and Obsessions” would live on CNN’s streaming platform and move beyond strictly political conversations, signaling CNN’s broader effort to diversify its programming lineup.

The strategy represents a noticeable evolution for a network long associated with nonstop political coverage, election panels and breaking-news programming. While politics still drives much of CNN’s identity, executives increasingly recognize that digital audiences often gravitate toward personality-driven content, cultural conversations and more flexible entertainment formats that can compete with podcasts, YouTube shows and streaming-first creators.

Rather than relying entirely on hard-news analysis, CNN appears to be searching for ways to make its talent more accessible and conversational outside traditional cable formats. The reported Abby Phillip project reflects a broader industry trend in which major news organizations are leaning into host-driven programming designed to build loyalty with viewers who consume media across multiple platforms throughout the day.

CNN – Depositphotos

Streaming Push Comes After CNN+ Collapse

The reported Abby Phillip project also fits squarely into CNN’s evolving streaming strategy following the highly publicized collapse of CNN+ in 2022.

The standalone streaming platform famously shut down just weeks after launch following the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, becoming one of the most visible media failures in recent years.

Since then, CNN has adopted a more measured digital approach centered around CNN All Access, the company’s newer subscription-based streaming platform launched in late 2025.

The service combines live CNN programming, video-on-demand content, documentaries and subscriber-only digital articles as part of the network’s long-term effort to reduce dependence on traditional cable television revenue.

Industry observers say projects like “Confessions and Obsessions” could help CNN test lighter entertainment and lifestyle formats without abandoning its core news identity.

Abby Phillip Has Become One of CNN’s Biggest Stars

Phillip currently anchors “NewsNight with Abby Phillip,” CNN’s 10 p.m. panel show that has emerged as one of the network’s stronger performers among adults ages 25-54, the key demographic prized by advertisers.

The Harvard graduate joined CNN in 2017 after previous reporting roles at Politico, ABC News and The Washington Post.

She later rose through the network as a White House correspondent before taking over her current primetime slot in 2023.

At 37, Phillip has become one of CNN’s most visible anchors and is currently the only Black woman hosting a major primetime cable news program in the United States.

Her growing prominence carries added significance in a rapidly fragmented media landscape where audiences increasingly seek voices they view as authentic, relatable and culturally aware. As traditional television networks compete with independent creators and social-media personalities for attention, Phillip has emerged as one of CNN’s most recognizable younger talents capable of bridging political journalism with broader cultural conversation.

Her expanding role inside the network also reflects CNN’s ongoing effort to diversify both its talent lineup and the types of programming it offers beyond conventional political analysis.

If developed into a full series, “Confessions and Obsessions” could represent one of CNN’s clearest attempts yet to blend news personalities with broader entertainment-driven streaming content.