Matea Gold of the Los Angeles Times also reports that radio show host Don Imus is talking to Fox Business Network, and she analyzes the pros and cons of such a move.
Gold writes, “The wooing of the plain-spoken radio host underscores the upstart cable network’s efforts to cast itself as the populist answer to business news. When Fox Business launched in October 2007, network executives said they were programming for Main Street, as well as Wall Street. It remains to be seen how the often-crass style of the craggy cowboy, who has a ranch in New Mexico, will mesh with the channel’s flashy New York aesthetic.
“But there’s no question that the move would add some firepower to Fox Business’ morning line-up. Imus’ show would replace ‘Fox Business Morning,’ hosted by Connell McShane and Jenna Lee, and ‘Money for Breakfast,’ anchored by Alexis Glick and Eric Bolling. Nielsen Media Research does not yet release public ratings for Fox Business, which is now available in about 50 million homes. Competitor CNBC reaches almost twice as many households.
“The move would also underscore the public rehabilitation of Imus, whose on-air description of the Rutgers women’s basketball players as ‘some nappy-headed hos’ in 2007 triggered widespread condemnation. The sharp-tongued host apologized for his remarks, calling them ‘insensitive and ill-conceived.’ But that did not stem the tide of criticism from activists such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson and national women’s groups. Advertisers such as General Motors and American Express pulled their spots off his MSNBC show. After the cable network yanked his simulcast, CBS Radio canceled his program altogether.”
Read more here.
