CNN’s chief executive, Mark Thompson, has reportedly proposed a significant change for Jim Acosta, suggesting that the news anchor shift from his current morning program to the midnight-to-2 a.m. slot. This proposed move has caught many by surprise, especially Acosta himself, as shared by former CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy in his Status newsletter.
Acosta, who was taken aback by this unexpected suggestion, reportedly got the news in a late-night call from Thompson. He was assured that this change was not a result of the ratings or the editorial direction of his current show, which has performed steadily well. Rather, Thompson explained it as a logistical adjustment in line with a new morning schedule approach.
Looking to “throw a bone to Trump” ahead of his second term, Jim Acosta gave viewers a mysterious goodbye amid reports that CNN has exiled him to a midnight slot.https://t.co/UGTUvXd46G
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) January 17, 2025
In the broadcasting world, the midnight shift is often seen as a less competitive and less visible time slot, leading Darcy to describe this proposal as “effectively exiling Acosta to the Siberia of television news.” Despite this shift’s timing, sources suggest Thompson tried to frame it as a potential career opportunity for Acosta’s progress within the network.
The Reason Behind This Move
The abrupt suggestion has led to much speculation about the underlying reasons. One anonymous source hinted that this decision might be an attempt to please President-elect Donald Trump following his 2024 election victory. The source speculated, “They want to get rid of Acosta to throw a bone to Trump. Midnight is not a serious offer when his ratings are among the best on the network.”
This proposed change aligns with Thompson’s broader vision to revamp CNN’s programming schedule. Alongside Acosta’s proposed shift, Darcy reported that long-time anchor Wolf Blitzer is also expected to transition from his established 6 p.m. time to a morning show. This signals a broad restructuring of CNN’s broadcast timetable to adapt to the evolving media landscape.
CNN has remained silent on these reports, leaving lingering questions about Acosta’s role within the network and the broader implications of these reported adjustments.
As fans of Acosta and CNN tune in to hear official statements, the fate of Acosta’s position remains a topic of keen interest and discussion among television news viewers. The late-night proposal, regardless of its framing, poses a noticeable change in Acosta’s routine and represents a shift in visibility from his current morning show audience to the less traditional late-hour viewers.
