CNN anchor Kurt Thomas will be the new host of Pivot, a news channel that will feature top newsmakers from around the world.
The network said Wednesday that Thomas, who has been a contributor to CNN for more than 30 years, will take on the role from May 1.
The news outlet said Thomas will bring a wide range of perspectives to the newsroom and will help build a global news team that will be “dedicated to providing an authoritative, high-quality news platform to our audiences around the globe.”
Pivot will be a new kind of news organization that’s driven by the same journalistic principles that helped create CNN’s global news operations, CNN said in a statement.
Thomas, 54, will join CNN’s news operation and will report to the network’s senior vice president of news and events, Mike McCurry.
McCurry was named CNN’s chief news anchor in July after reporting from the network for more then 30 years.
CNN announced that Thomas will serve as a CNN correspondent from the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, Australia and Singapore.
The new job will start on May 1, CNN’s statement said.
“Kurt is a gifted and fearless journalist, whose talent and knowledge will complement the leadership team that is building a powerful, innovative news operation that will elevate the voices of our most passionate viewers around the global landscape,” McCurry said in the statement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kurt and his talented team to CNN.”
CNN will be bringing in some of its top personalities, including CNN chief political correspondent Van Jones, CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, CNN political analyst Chris Cuomo, CNN commentator Rachel Maddow, CNN contributor Andrew Kaczynski, CNN correspondent Eric Tucker and CNN anchor Erin Burnett.
The announcement came as CNN grappled with a backlash from critics over the treatment of former CNN anchor Brianna Wu.
The platform was rocked by allegations that Wu was harassed by a former producer for the network and her former producer, a person familiar with the situation told CNN.
CNN said that Wu has been the target of harassment and intimidation from various people on the network.
The company is also under fire for hiring a former New York City mayor, Melissa Mark-Viverito, to be its senior vice chairman.
Mark-Verito was fired by CNN after her contract was extended in March, but she is still on the payroll.
She has also been the subject of allegations of sexual misconduct by her former employer.
CNN fired Mark- Verito after she received an email accusing her of inappropriate conduct with men.