‘Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace’ announces split streaming-cable concept

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“Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” will debut its inaugural HBO Max season on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, with three distinct episodes.

The best of the full HBO Max interviews will air on CNN in a new program with the same title, beginning on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, at 7 p.m. eastern.

Each week of the 10-week first season Chris Wallace explores his wide range of interests across the spectrum of news, sports, entertainment, art and culture – from interviews to conversations, and from headlines to smart, sensible, in-depth discussions,” according to the announcement.

In this new format, three episodes will drop on Friday mornings on HBO Max, with Wallace walking the audience through the best of the three interviews in a one-hour, curated special that airs Sunday evenings on CNN.

“I am excited to be back in the studio having candid, real conversations with a rich variety of guests who are standouts in their fields,” said Wallace in the statement. “I can’t wait for the HBO Max and CNN audiences to get to see what our team has been working on.”

This first-of-its kind partnership between the two brands moves beyond the traditional boundaries of streaming and cable, giving audiences the opportunity to stream full-length interviews with Hollywood legends, newsmakers, CEOs, media moguls and thought-leaders, and join the veteran anchor on Sunday nights to break down the best of each interview every week.

“Chris Wallace is a legend in our profession. His unparalleled interviewing expertise has made an impact across industries and changed history,” said Chris Licht, CNN Chairman and CEO in a statement. “And now with the launch of his program on both HBO Max and CNN, his iconic interview style will reach an expansive audience unlike anything before.”

Guests booked for the first season include director, producer, and actor Tyler Perry; multi-platinum singer-songwriter Shania Twain; baseball superstar turned business tycoon Alex Rodriguez; the world’s best-selling author James Patterson; singer and best-selling author Michelle Zauner; and many more that will be announced in the weeks ahead.

“Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” was originally an exclusive offering for the network’s short-lived streamer CNN+, which shuttered in the Spring of 2022 after less than a month in operation. Later, CNN announced it would bring Wallace’s show to both HBO Max under the “CNN Originals” banner and CNN proper.