Jim Acosta is Out at CNN: Report
In a significant shakeup at CNN, veteran anchor Jim Acosta is reportedly planning his departure from the network following a controversial programming decision that would have relegated him to a midnight time slot.
Acosta communicated his intention to leave CNN during private conversations with associates over the weekend, per a bombshell report from Oliver Darcy’s Status News.
This development comes in the wake of a decision by CNN’s chief executive, Mark Thompson, to remove Acosta from his successful 10 a.m. programming slot – a move that notably coincides with former President Donald Trump’s resurgence in the political arena.
The Post Millennial (TPM) reported that network data reveals that Acosta’s morning show has been a consistent ratings performer over the past 11 months, occasionally surpassing viewership numbers of CNN’s prime-time programming block.
Despite this success, network executives proposed moving Acosta to a midnight to 2 a.m. ET time slot, attempting to frame the change as an opportunity to host during West Coast prime time from Los Angeles.
Industry insiders, however, have pointed out that the proposed time slot traditionally experiences the lowest viewership levels in cable news.
A source close to the situation provided insight to Status News, stating, “They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump. Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network.”
Acosta’s tenure at CNN has been marked by his role as the network’s chief White House correspondent during Trump’s first term, where he gained national recognition for his confrontational style of reporting.
His exchanges with the former president frequently became headline news, as Trump openly criticized both Acosta personally and CNN’s coverage of his administration.
The contentious relationship between Acosta and the Trump administration reached its peak when the White House attempted to revoke his press credentials.
TPM reported that this move prompted CNN to engage in a legal battle, which concluded with a federal judge ruling in the network’s favor and mandating the reinstatement of Acosta’s press pass.
This latest development represents a significant shift in CNN’s programming strategy and raises questions about the network’s direction under new leadership.
The decision to move one of their highest-performing anchors to a less favorable time slot has sparked discussion within media circles about the potential influence of political considerations on programming decisions.
Acosta made headlines earlier this month after displaying a pink placard celebrating himself and press freedom during a live broadcast.
The shock move TTOA previously reported on drew sharp rebukes from journalists, media critics and viewers across the political spectrum.
“Journalists exist to seek the truth, to tell people stories, to lift up voices that may not be heard otherwise,” Acosta declared before unveiling the sign.
“To shine a light on injustice and hold the powerful accountable, we are not the enemy of the people we are the defender of the people.”
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