In a move that has left many in the media world scratching their heads, CNN chief executive Mark Thompson reportedly suggested moving anchor Jim Acosta’s current show to the midnight hour, as part of a significant shakeup at the network. According to former CNN senior media reporter Oliver Darcy, Acosta was taken aback by the peculiar phone call he received from Thompson, which proposed that Acosta anchor a show from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET.
Darcy reported on Thursday that Acosta was surprised by the offer, as he had no prior indication that his show was under any kind of threat. Thompson reportedly reassured Acosta that the proposed time slot change had nothing to do with his ratings or editorial style but was rather a logistical move to accommodate a revamped morning schedule. In fact, Thompson even pitched the midnight shift as though it might be a promotion for Acosta — a suggestion that many found puzzling, given that a 12 a.m. time slot is traditionally seen as the “graveyard shift” in television news.
Acosta’s show, which has reportedly performed well in terms of viewership, often ranks among the higher-rated programs on the network. So, the proposal to shift Acosta to a late-night slot raised eyebrows, as it would put the anchor in a time slot typically reserved for reruns. Darcy noted that the midnight hour is “occupied by virtually zero other hosts in the cable news business.”
Despite Thompson’s assurances, many insiders are skeptical about the true motives behind the proposed shift. One unnamed source suggested that the move may be part of a broader effort to appeal to President-elect Donald Trump, who will reassume office in less than a week. The source claimed, “They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump.” Acosta made a name for himself during Trump’s first term for his confrontational and aggressive questioning of the President and his surrogates, often derailing entire press briefings, and the move could be seen as an attempt to get back in Trump’s good graces.
CNN is reportedly planning a broader overhaul of its lineup, with anchor Wolf Blitzer also slated to be moved from his long-running 6 p.m. show into a morning position. The network, which has faced significant challenges in recent years — including declining ratings and internal conflicts — appears to be attempting to recalibrate its approach as it prepares for a new era of coverage.
The network, once the gold standard in cable news, has seen its role in the media landscape shift dramatically in recent years. With the rise of conservative-leaning outlets like Fox News, and the growing influence of digital media, CNN has found itself in an increasingly competitive space. This latest shakeup suggests that CNN may be trying to redefine itself as the political environment changes once again.
For Acosta, the midnight proposal is just the latest chapter in his long and sometimes controversial career at CNN. Having gained national prominence for his often fiery exchanges with Trump during the president’s tenure, Acosta’s role at the network has always been one of visibility — if not always universal approval. His outspoken style has garnered both passionate defenders and vocal critics, and it remains to be seen how a move to a less visible time slot would affect his standing within the network.
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