Early Start (formerly as Early Start with Rahel Solomon) is an American early-morning news program broadcast by CNN. It premiered on March 10, 2025 and is currently anchored by Rahel Solomon and airs from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. ET. The program is also seen globally on CNN International. It was initially announced as part of a revision to CNN's lineup, which also saw CNN This Morning cut to an hour, and anchor Kasie Hunt (who was moved to an afternoon show) succeeded by Audie Cornish.
The program was initially announced under the title 5 Things with Rahel Solomon, acting as a spin-off of CNN's podcast and online newsletter of the same name (which had also been the basis for a Kate Bolduan-hosted program on the short-lived CNN+). It was retitled Early Start shortly before its premiere, taking on the branding that was formerly used from 2012 to 2024.
During significant breaking news events, Early Start starts at 4:00 AM ET and ends at 6:00 AM ET. Following the War on Iran, the program added second anchor live from the Middle East, with Connect the World anchor Becky Anderson (from CNN Abu Dhabi programming hub), and correspondent Eleni Giokos (from Dubai).
On March 23, 2026, Rahel Solomon anchored the program for the last time as she left the network to pursue 'new opportunities' A permanent host has yet to be made, as of March 30, 2026, Brian Abel, the substitute host anchored the program and refurbished its title card.
Substitute hosts of the program are CNN This Morning host Audie Cornish, CNN Philadelphia correspondent Danny Freeman, CNN Newsource Washington, DC correspondent Brian Abel, senior national enterprise correspondent MJ Lee, lead fill-in anchor and national correspondent Erica Hill, and CNN Newsroom anchor Fredricka Whitfield.