http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/1/piers-morgans-gig-end-cnn-actively-looking-replace/by Cheryl K. Chumley
October 1, 2013
An Internet site that reports on issues that emanate from within America’s news rooms said CNN’s Piers Morgan is on the out. It is not clear whether he will sever ties with CNN completely or simply with his coveted prime time slot.
But it’s not clear whether he will sever ties with CNN completely — or simply with his coveted prime time slot.
FTVLive reported that sources say CNN head Jeff Zucker is “actively looking for a replacement for Piers Morgan.” Mr. Morgan in 2012 signed only a one-year contract extension, and that’s about to wrap, the site reported.
Mr. Zucker would like to replace him with Katie Couric, FTVLive reported. But he’s not counting on her, keeping an open mind about other replacement hosts, too, the sources said.
“He’s looking at other people besides Katie,” one said, to FTVLive.
Mr. Morgan might move to another CNN show — but not in prime time, the story said. If so, this would only realize what The New York Post reported a year ago.
In December 2012, when Mr. Zucker was on the cusp of taking over CNN Worldwide as president, the network was reportedly in talks to move Mr. Piers’ show away from the prime 9 p.m. slot — to 10 p.m. or even later, to bolster flagging ratings, The New York Post reported.
In that same report, a source said that Mr. Zucker was mulling a new role for Mr. Morgan when his contract expires, in 2013.
