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New face for ‘The Big Picture’ as Holland Cooke takes over from Thom Hartmann RT America's ‘The Big Picture’ welcomes new host Holland Cooke
(about 9 hours later)
“The Big Picture,” RT America’s longest-running show, is about to have a new face: journalist and media consultant Holland Cooke is set to replace Thom Hartmann as the host of the political talk show. RT America has announced that Holland Cooke will take over as host of “The Big Picture” currently hosted by Thom Hartmann. Hartmann announced his departure in early September, saying his final show would be Friday, September 29.
The longest-running RT America show, “The Big Picture” tackles the latest in political news through debates, commentary and more. Whether local, national or international, nothing escapes coverage. After seven years of broadcasting, in his final episode, Thom Hartmann introduced one of his panel guests as Holland Cooke—the show’s new host, with new episodes to begin Friday, October 6.
Hartmann, who has hosted the show on RT America for seven years, announced his departure in early September. On his final episode last Friday, he “passed the baton” to Cooke. Addressing his departure from “The Big Picture” and RT America, Hartmann said: “I feel honored to have been with RT America as host of ‘The Big Picture’. The opportunities given—from hosting  the 2012 third party presidential debate to discussing such important issues as climate change and future relations with China with some of the world’s highest regarded experts—I would not likely have found at other networks. I appreciate the enthusiasm and interest in the show, demonstrated by the millions of views and positive feedback we have received over the years. Thank you for watching, and I encourage you to continue to watch and know that our old episodes remain on The Big Picture YouTube channel.”
“I’ve got big shoes to fill, and I appreciate you passing me the baton,” Cooke told Hartmann. Hartmann is a friend and colleague of Cooke. “I know, like, and respect Holland, and am looking forward to watching The Big Picture with him as the presenter.  He’s smart, talented, and a decent and caring human being,” he said of the incoming host.
Cooke has worked in television and radio for nearly four decades, both on the air and in management positions. In 1991, Cooke founded FliteCom Systems, Inc., which became USA Today Sky Radio, the live-via-satellite news, sports and talk audio channels heard on Delta, Northwest and United Airlines. The technology they developed evolved into Sirius Satellite Radio. Cooke has worked in television and radio for nearly 40 years. He’s held a variety of on-air and management positions, not the least of which was his seven-year tenure as the operations manager of WTOP Radio in Washington, DC, during which time the station scored its highest ratings to-date in the all-news format. In 1991, Cooke founded FliteCom Systems, Inc., which became USA TODAY Sky Radio, the live-via-satellite news, sports and talk audio channels heard on Delta, Northwest and United Airlines. The technology they developed evolved into Sirius Satellite Radio. On January 1, 1995, Cooke began consulting full-time and was named news/talk specialist by McVay Media, the largest radio programming consulting firm in the world. His work includes programming and marketing strategies for talk radio stations from Alaska to New Zealand, career counseling for radio talent and podcasters, and Internet development for entrepreneurs, companies and radio personalities.
For the last 22 years, Cooke has been a media consultant “working with people who do what you do,” he told Hartmann. Cooke’s work includes programming and marketing strategies for talk radio stations from Alaska to New Zealand, career counseling for radio talent and podcasters, and internet development for entrepreneurs, companies and radio personalities. Increasingly, he has focused on the intersection of radio and the internet, he said. “I’ve always been intrigued by RT America, because of what it isn’t, and what it is. What it isn’t?  It’s not the shouting match that talk radio and much of cable news has degenerated into,” Cooke said of his move to the network. “What it is?  More light than heat. More thoughtful, curious treatment of stories that only get headlines and quotes du jour on other channels.  Stories get to ‘breathe’ here.  And there’s more variety here, stories that matter but don’t show up elsewhere. And the opportunity to work alongside the talent here?  Where do I sign!”
“I’ve always wanted to do what you do,” Cooke told Hartmann, “meaning a show like this, and to do it the way you do it, because what is haunting talk radio now is the sheer loudness and anger of it.” Holland addressed taking over for his friend Thom Hartmann, the current host, saying: “Because this is RT America’s longest-running show, Thom Hartmann leaves me big shoes to fill.  As brothers in the Talk Radio family, Thom and I have known each other for years, so I understand the guy who’s passing me that baton.”
Hartmann’s iteration of the show was “very thoughtful, and you’re a very curious guy,” Cooke said. “What I hope to do, inheriting the show, is be a good listener. You set the bar high.” With Cooke as its host, “The Big Picture” will air Fridays at 7pm ET.
Cooke’s favorite segment of “The Big Picture” was “The Rumble,” in which Hartmann pits himself against guests with opposing views, he said. RT America channel airs from Washington, DC and is part of RT, the global television news network. Dedicated to the top US stories and most pressing issues, it is the proud home of "Politicking with Larry King,” “News with Ed Schultz,” Emmy-nominated “On Contact with Chris Hedges,” “America’s Lawyer with Mike Papantonio,” ”The Big Picture," award winning financial show “Boom Bust” with Lindsay France, and "Watching The Hawks" with Tyrel Ventura, Tabetha Wallace and Sean Stone. In 2017 alone, RT America took home three awards at the prestigious New York Festivals, as well as eight Telly Awards.
Hartmann offered Cooke some advice: “Don’t be afraid to give ‘em hell.” RT broadcasts 24/7 in English, Arabic and Spanish from its studios in Moscow; Washington, DC; and London. It has a weekly TV audience of 70 million viewers in 38 countries, with an audience of 8 million in the United States according to top audience research firm Ipsos. It is also the most watched TV news network on YouTube with more than 5 billion views. RT is the winner of the Monte Carlo TV Festival Award for Best 24-hr Broadcast, and a five-time Emmy finalist.
Moving to RT America was an interesting proposition for Cooke.
“I’ve always been intrigued by RT America, because of what it isn’t, and what it is. What it isn’t? It’s not the shouting match that talk radio and much of cable news has degenerated into,” he said in a statement. “What it is? More light than heat. More thoughtful, curious treatment of stories that only get headlines and quotes du jour on other channels. Stories get to ‘breathe’ here. And there’s more variety here, stories that matter but don’t show up elsewhere. And the opportunity to work alongside the talent here? Where do I sign!”
Cooke inherits a show that tackles the latest in all levels of political news through debates, commentary and more. It began on RT America in October 2010. In June of this year, “The Big Picture” won a Telly award for its episode “If China Pulls the Plug.” It was the second year in a row that the show had received the prestigious award; in 2016, it received two, one for social responsibility and one for political/commentary.
Before Hartmann signed off for the final time, he took the opportunity to thank his team, as well as RT America.
“Having complete editorial control over a TV show syndicated internationally into more than 700 million homes was a great and, frankly, a rare opportunity,” he told his viewers. “We worked on this program very hard not to do sports or soap opera when covering politics, but instead to focus on issues, and I believe we accomplished a lot in that regard. We’re grateful to RT for the opportunity and for fully honoring our contractual independence at all times.”
With Cooke as its host, “The Big Picture” will air Fridays at 7pm ET.