CNN TRIES TO REVIVE ITS RATINGS BY TRYING TO CLOSE A DEAL WITH GAYLE KING AND CHARLES BARKLEY TO HOST A NEW SHOW
Gayle King, Charles Barkley Getty Images
CNN TRIES TO REVIVE ITS RATINGS BY TRYING TO CLOSE A DEAL WITH GAYLE KING AND CHARLES BARKLEY TO HOST A NEW SHOW
CNN is zeroing in on Gayle King and Charles Barkley to host a weekly primetime show for the network, as chairman and CEO Chris Licht aims to revitalize the ratings-challenged nighttime lineup.
The Wall Street Journal reported that a deal with King is being finalized, but sources said that talks are ongoing with the two personalities.
The intent has been to add an extra bit of star power to its 9 PM ET primetime hour, which has lacked a permanent host since Chris Cuomo was fired in December, 2021. That time slot has been among the most competitive on cable news.
King and Barkley would be a bit of an unconventional choice for the slot, but the plans also would go against the cable news trend of scheduling a five-night-a-week personality in primetime hours. CNN is said to have talked to two dozen or so names about filling at least one night a week in that time slot, with plans to fill remaining nights with special events like town halls and “big get” interviews with the network’s team of correspondents.
In talking about primetime, Licht has said that he views competition as all forms of media and entertainment competing for viewers’ time, suggesting a bit of different thinking for the nighttime hours. Barkley, who signed a new contract with CNN-parent Warner Bros. Discovery last year, himself has publicly confirmed that he was talking to the network about a show with King.
CNN FINALIZING DEAL TO ADD GAYLE KING AS IT HITS LOWEST RATINGS IN DECADES
CNN is finalizing a deal for “CBS Mornings” anchor Gayle King to host a weekly prime-time show, according to people familiar with the situation, as network boss Chris Licht experiments with new programming to counter a steep ratings slide.
Ms. King, 68 years old, is expected to begin hosting a once-a-week show this fall, while continuing her duties at CBS, the people said. CNN is also in conversation with former NBA player Charles Barkley about potentially joining a show with Ms. King, they said.
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