CNN announced this afternoon that Mark Nelson had been promoted to Vice President of CNN Productions.

Mark Nelson, most recently senior executive producer of CNN Presents, has been promoted to vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions, it was announced today by Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. In his new role, Nelson oversees all of CNN Worldwide documentary and long-form programming, including CNN Presents, the most honored documentary series in cable news.

Nelson, a veteran news producer who oversaw highly acclaimed long-form programming on ABC’s Nightline and the National Geographic Channel, has been the interim chief of CNN Productions since November 2005. During this time, CNN Presents increased its in-depth programming and the number of topical specials, which has resulted in frequent ratings victories in its time periods.
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The New Orleans Times-Picayune’s Brian Thevenot writes about the New Orleans Mayoral debate which aired last night on MSNBC…(via The Note)

But over and over, Matthews tried to draw out the candidates’ positions on national issues unlikely to be of much relevance to local voters.

For instance, he asked several questions about President Bush’s handling of Katrina. Both Landrieu and Nagin sought to criticize the president gently, but at the same time claimed they would be able to work with him despite their differences.

Likewise, Matthews asked the two to discuss their feelings about U.S. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., considered perhaps the leading presidential contenders for their respective parties in the 2008 elections.

Not surprisingly, given that both Landrieu and Nagin are Democrats — and given that registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in the city by about a 7-1 ratio — both men said they preferred Clinton. It was unclear how the question related to the mayor’s race.

From CNN…

A special edition of The Situation Room on CNN/U.S. and real-time video streams on CNN Pipeline will highlight CNN’s coverage of the confirmation hearings for Gen. Michael Hayden, President George W. Bush’s nominee to replace Porter Goss as director of the CIA.

he Situation Room begins Thursday, May 18, starting at 9:25 a.m. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will be joined throughout the coverage by various CNN correspondents, contributors and analysts including John McLaughlin, a CNN national security adviser and former CIA deputy director. CNN Pipeline will air the hearing live in its entirety with multiple camera angles with no breaks or commentary. CNN Pipeline, with its multiple live video streams, will also provide live reports with correspondents throughout the day. All times Eastern.

Reese blogs about what’s happening with CNN’s audience…

The worst news for CNN is that its median age is back up to 65 still a year younger than Fox but 7 years older than last March. The worst for both networks: CNN’s prime audience composition is 77% adults 50+. Again Fox is worse with 83% of its audience 50+. SWEEPSBOOK does not have the 50+ numbers for MSNBC or Headline.

CNN recently hired John Roberts away from CBS and he shines amidst the mediocrity of most of the other CNN correspondents and even some anchormen. Nancy Grace, on the other hand, has added tens of thousands of viewers to Headline News. If CNN is going to change direction which way will it go; more John Roberts or more Nancy Graces?