CNN has named the next executive producer of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, and it’s someone very familiar to those who call the network home.
The Situation Room senior broadcast producer Emily Atkinson has earned the role of executive producer, replacing Jay Shaylor, who is departing CNN’s flagship two-hour daily newscast to become the new executive producer of The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell.
Atkinson had been Shaylor’s No. 2 on The Situation Room for the past year, so the decision to elevate her to No. 1 seemed like an appropriate move.
Atkinson joined joined the Situation Room after its inaugural year and has worked alongside Blitzer and the staff for 13 years. In that time, she has performed nearly every editorial role of the program, from associate producer to writer, from line producer to senior broadcast producer.
Atkinson has been with CNN since 1996, beginning as an editorial producer.
She becomes executive producer of the newscast effective October 15.
CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist announced the news via Twitter. No press release needed.
Congratulations to my friend and colleague @EmilyAtCNN who was just named Executive Producer of @CNNSitRoom with @wolfblitzer. pic.twitter.com/du2riD5jwl
— Sam Feist (@SamFeistCNN) October 3, 2019
Four minutes later, Blitzer announced the news via Instagram: