Don Lemon claims new CNN role is a ‘promotion’ despite losing primetime show

nypost.com:

revealed the network’s programming overhaul on Thursday that will see the left-leaning primetime host yanked from his plum solo slot and moved to a newly-created morning show that he will co-host with Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.“I was presented with an opportunity that I can’t pass up at this network.” Lemon insisted on his ratings-challenged 10 p.m.

show “Don Lemon Tonight.” He continued: “And we have a new boss who is a morning show impresario, and he wants a morning show that will kick off the editorial direction of the network every single day, and I am honored that he would ask me to do it.”Licht has been tasked with lifting the ratings at the third-place CNN, which includes remaking the cable news network’s primetime lineup, as well as reinventing its flailing morning show, “New Day.” Part of that reinvention includes moving away from punditry and towards centrist, fact-based reporting.

In recent weeks, the network canned Brian Stelter, the outspoken host of the now-canceled “Reliable Sources,” and it axed both John Harwood and scandal-scarred Jeffrey Toobin amid buzz that “New Day” anchors John Berman and Brianna Keilar were next.But Lemon told viewers Thursday that the decision to go to the new morning show was his choice. “For all of those who are out there saying, oh, he moved me, and without my — he asked me and I said yes.

I could have said no,” Lemon said. “This is my show. I have a contract for this show. I decided that I would take him up on that and take this journey with him.”“This is not someone moving me.,” the anchor continued. “And by the way, this is not someone saying, ‘You must move to the right, Don Lemon.