CNN is set to banish longtime anchor and former White House correspondent Jim Acosta to the “Siberia of television news,” according to a report from a former colleague.
Acosta, known to conservatives as an annoyance to President-elect Donald Trump, will see his program CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta moved from 10 a.m. to midnight, ex-CNN senior media reporter Oliver Darcy said.
“The move would effectively exile Acosta to the Siberia of television news,” according to a Status News update from Darcy.
“He had no reason to believe that his current show would be on the chopping block. In fact, his ratings have historically been some of the network’s strongest.”
Acosta was informed of the move after being called in to see CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson, according to the report.
The switch was purportedly pitched to Acosta to assist in the move of Wolf Blitzer from primetime to morning slots.
Darcy’s newsletter suggests that there is more to the story, and Acosta’s new post is a measure to see his prior relationship with Trump addressed.
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“They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump,” a media executive quoted in the newsletter said. “Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network.”
CNN declined to comment to the Washington Examiner for this story.