CNN continues to struggle in the cable news ratings, regularly placing third among the top three networks and trailing industry leader Fox News by a significant margin. As a result, CEO Chris Licht continues to seek methods to attract more viewers.

This has necessitated significant changes, such as the dismissal of some hosts and correspondents and the reassignment of others to new positions, as was the case with Don Lemon, who lost his low-rated primetime evening slot and was moved to co-host the network’s still-struggling morning program.

Now it appears that Licht will make another move, and this one is likely to affect one of the network’s most prominent presenters or personalities.

“Ratings-challenged CNN is reportedly considering replacing longtime ‘Inside Politics’ anchor John King with his ex-wife, network veteran and anchor Dana Bash,” the New York Post reported.

CNN is “looking to shake up its daily ‘Inside Politics’ show by likely replacing anchor John King with CNN’s chief political correspondent Dana Bash,” the Daily Beast’s Confider media newsletter reported on Monday.

The report emphasized that any prospective change “would be doubly notable” in light of their prior marriage. King, 59, and Bash, 58, were previously married but separated in 2012 after four years together. They share a single child.

Since 2014, CNN’s chief national correspondent, Larry King, has hosted the weekday iteration of “Inside Politics” The program is transmitted at noon on weekdays.

Meanwhile, 51-year-old Bash serves as the Sunday morning co-anchor of CNN’s “State of the Union” alongside Jake Tapper. The Post noted that in addition to her anchoring duties, Bash also functions as the network’s chief political correspondent.

CNN could replace John King with ex-wife Dana Bash on ‘Inside Politics’: report https://t.co/UPep2VitvW pic.twitter.com/ZxNufU2nDS

— New York Post (@nypost) April 11, 2023

King spoke last week on his show about the small number of American voters who say they want another term for 80-year-old President Joe Biden, who, if he wins another term and serves it in complete, would leave office at the age of 86.

“The numbers are beyond sobering for President Biden,” King told guest David Chalian.

Young people make up a significant portion of the Democratic electorate, yet only 26 of the 35-and-under respondents polled favor a second Biden term.

Even among Democrats and Independents who lean Democratic, only 54% desire Biden’s return to the White House.

Insiders find it difficult to comprehend why Lemon still has a position there after a string of incidents and poor behavior dating back to at least December.

CNN’s morning program, “CNN This Morning,” hosted by Don Lemon, Poppy Harlow, and Kaitlan Collins, recently achieved the lowest ratings in the network’s history.

Now, Lemon is facing additional controversy after a report in Variety suggested he was captured mistreating women shortly after joining the network. Decades ago, Lemon allegedly sent menacing text messages to a colleague from a burner phone and repeatedly engaged in misogynistic and “diva-like” conduct. CNN and Lemon issued denials of the Variety article and its allegations.

A longtime media industry executive who previously worked for CNN, like many CNN insiders, is astonished that the network continues to support him.

“Well before the Variety article appeared, it’s been one of the biggest mysteries in TV news why CNN keeps Don Lemon around. He rates poorly, he is a source of constant embarrassment and his new morning show is an unqualified disaster,” the media insider told Fox News.

“Now his long history of degrading women has been laid bare,” they continued. “What mysterious hold does he have over his bosses that explains his longevity?”

More on this story via Conservative Brief:

Another CNN insider told Fox News: “There are plenty of people just as talented and popular with viewers that are not such a heavy lift.”CONTINUE READING…