More news regarding CNN’s 8pm timeslot…
Following up on today’s Campbell Brown news, an insider tells ICN that former Paula Zahn Now staffers have been told to either look for work or they can re-apply to work on Brown’s show. Executive Producer Victor Neufeld is still at CNN but also on the way out. They still have not hired an EP yet for Brown’s program (it’s still early given the show won’t debut until February). Once CNN ends AC 360’s second hour, the slot will likely go to a repeat of Lou Dobbs Tonight.
I wish they’d go ahead and axe AC360’s second hour so he can finally compete with Greta at least in the demo. And fire the person who thought making AC360 a two hour show was a good idea. With that in mind, AC360 can always preempt the 11pm hour of canned programming if news warrants.
Comment by Terance — September 21, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
As much as I don’t subscribe to his views and ranker Jack Cafferty would be the only one who cold give O’Reilly a run for the ratings.
Comment by 186 — September 21, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
The one item here that doesn’t make sense to me is why would you rehire staff from a failed program, in the perspective of many around here and elsewhere, to go into the program that’s supposed to replace that same program and do better?
Comment by Chris (clind) — September 21, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Well, it all depends on what positions they’re hiring.
For example, a researcher, a PA, a graphics person… all those guys may still be good and have little to do with the failure of a program. I know what you’re saying about producers, exec producers, and the like… but there are plenty of other jobs that shouldn’t be held responsible.
Comment by ImNotBlue — September 21, 2007 @ 10:49 pm
Remember, MSNBC announced tucker to be live in that hour when his show first started… that prompted CNN to do it… MSNBC never gave tucker a chance in that timeslot and moved him off quickly… CNN kept him on there.
Comment by Nobody — September 21, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
IMB, I see what you mean and you have some valid points there.
Comment by Chris (clind) — September 21, 2007 @ 11:50 pm
Didn’t CNN go to great lengths recently to deny that they were canceling 360’s second hour or am I imagining things?
Comment by Marty — September 22, 2007 @ 12:21 am
Yes, Marty. But, say they’re planning on canceling the 11pm hour in a few months.. I wouldn’t expect them to broadcast that ahead of time.
Comment by Terance — September 22, 2007 @ 8:45 am
Got it Terance.
Comment by Marty — September 22, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
If you are going to give any woman the slot, why not Kitty Pilgrim. She is pulling in good numbers for a fill in.
Comment by jmkaib — September 22, 2007 @ 7:43 pm