A day after National Public Radio told its staff that Jay Kernis was leaving his post as senior VP of programming to return to television, CNN/U.S. announced he will take its newly created position of managing editor on Feb. 4.
Mr. Kernis will be based in New York and report to Nancy Lane, CNN’s Atlanta-based senior VP of newsgathering. He spent 14 years as an award-winning producer at CBS News between two stints at NPR.
Mr. Kernis will oversee content development from units including news planning, health, technology, environment, entertainment and guest bookings.
“CNN is committed to providing in-depth reporting and analysis, rich storytelling and top-notch investigations,” Ms. Lane said in Friday’s announcement. “Jay’s track record of success at NPR and ‘60 Minutes’ will help us add even more dimension and differentiation to our reporting.”
Mr. Kernis joined NPR for the first time in 1974 and was involved in the development of such signature programs as “Morning Edition” and “Weekend Edition.” In 1986, Esquire magazine counted him among its “Men and Women Under 40 Who Are Changing the Nation.”
In 1987, he joined CBS News, where he worked with current CNN/U.S. President Jon Klein. Mr. Kernis produced reports and segments for programs including “60 Minutes” and “CBS This Morning.” He returned to NPR in 2001.
“This is a spectacular opportunity,” Mr. Kernis said. “CNN has extraordinary reach, nationally and around the world. I’m excited because I know that CNN is a place that’s open to experimenting and taking chances. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of the smart, interesting and focused journalists. I’m delighted to be joining their team and to help further CNN’s deep and rich coverage of the news.”