Jim Acosta is threatening to quit CNN rather than accept a rescheduled slot that would see him move from late morning to the graveyard shift, according to a report.
Acosta’s days at CNN may be numbered as the former White House correspondent known for his combative coverage of President Donald Trump may be heading for the exits rather than accept a move that would see him broadcast a nightly show starting at midnight, according to Los Angeles. Times.
Another CNN staffer told Fox News Digital that Acosta was “getting gutted.”
“Acosta is a talented broadcaster who can handle any spot on the network,” the unnamed employee told Fox News Digital.
“The midnight thing is shocking [but] it is what it is.”
Mark Thompson, CNN anchor, announced a lineup shakeup that will see Wolf Blitzer move his Situation Room program from early evenings to mornings.
Blitzer will co-anchor his show with Pamela Brown, the network confirmed Thursday. CNN also announced it would lay off about 200 staff as it shifts focus from its linear television operation to a more digital-centric media outlet.
The change means Acosta’s daily program, “CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta,” which airs weekdays at 10 a.m. ET, will be canceled.
“We are in active discussions with Jim about a new appointment and will have more information to share soon,” a CNN spokesperson told The Post.
The proposed lineup change was first reported last week by Status newsletter’s Oliver Darcy.
While Acosta’s move is widely perceived as a step down, given the fact that fewer people watch television at midnight, a network source noted that a 12 a.m. ET show airs at 9 p.m.: 00 on the West Coast — which makes for a prime-time show in the Pacific Time Zone.
If Acosta were to accept his reassignment, he could broadcast his show from Los Angeles, which would require him and his family to move from their current home in Washington, D.C., according to a network source.
The source added that the East Coast is only “a part of CNN’s global audience” and that the outlet is “not an Acela corridor network.”
“CNN is a global news organization that broadcasts worldwide, which should be noted,” the source added.
The source told The Post that a move to Los Angeles is not a requirement and that Acosta could continue to broadcast from Washington, D.C., if he chooses to do so.
The post requested comment from Acosta.
The network’s decision to move Acosta out of daytime is being perceived by some as a way to appease the Trump administration.
Earlier this week, Status reported that Thompson told his roster of reporters over the weekend that they should refrain from “expressing anger” while covering Trump’s inauguration.
Thompson is also reported to have told his staff that they must be “fair” when covering Trump.
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