It has finally been made official. Long running politically incorrect radio show Imus in the Morning has been dropped by the Fox Business Network as part of the network’s daytime schedule revamp.
Controversial talk show host Don Imus himself shared the news two weeks ago that his 6-year run at the network was coming to an end. But insiders say the change has been on the table since the start of the year.
One source says that Imus was set on moving to Texas and after a discussion with Fox Business CEO Roger Ailes, the two decided to end their business relationship “amicably.”
Imus in the Morning is expected to continue broadcasting even after it leaves the FBN lineup, but it’s still unclear what network will distribute the program.
The show made its TV debut in 1996 on MSNBC but was dropped in 2007 after Imus made disparaging comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team. Imus then moved his show to RFD-TV before being signed on by FBN in 2009.
The new and improved FBN lineup will kick-off on June 1 with a 5 a.m. market oriented show. It will be followed by Morning Money with Maria Bartiromo, a financial news show replacing Imus’ radio simulcast. Bartiromo’s show will run from 6-9 a.m.
It will be followed by Varney & Company from 9 a.m. till noon before giving way to Neil Cavuto’s Coast to Coast. The mid-market analysis show is Cavuto’s big move to daytime TV and will run for two hours.
FBN newbie Trish Regan will make her hosting debut at 2 p.m. with Trish Regan Intel, taking over the spot once held by Melissa Francis’ now defunct Money. Francis has instead been given co-anchoring duties at the After the Bell show with David Asman.
According to Ailes, the new lineup and earlier start time will give FBN the chance to provide “nonstop financial news with unparalleled market coverage and analysis.”