CNN Boasts About John King, But Murdoch-Owned WSJ And NY Post Insist He’s Toast

by Mark Joyella | 2:30 pm, March 1st, 2011

» 21 comments

CNN’s John King. Is he a CNN superstar, or the next Kathleen Parker?

Two anonymously-sourced stories on consecutive days insist King’s on the chopping block, with high profile replacements waiting in the wings–either CBS’s Katie Couric, or CNN’s own Soledad O’Brien.

That two major newspapers both ran with a “King’s On the Outs” story might suggest an imminent departure. That is, were those two papers not owned by the same owner, News Corp.–which also happens to own the Fox News Channel, a CNN competitor.

On Monday, The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources, reported that “according to people familiar with the situation, CNN is looking closely at its 7 p.m. hour, which features a political program hosted by John King. The network also continues to express interest in “CBS Evening News” anchor Katie Couric, whose deal with CBS Corp. expires near the start of June.”

A day later, the WSJ‘s corporate cousin the New York Post (both papers, like the Fox News Channel, are owned by Rupert Murdoch‘s News Corp.) also put King in the crosshairs of termination in a PAGE SIX item ominously headlined “More Blood,” which suggested that “John King is the next head likely to roll at CNN.”

The Post tied a recently-taped pilot featuring CNN’s Soledad O’Brien was a potential replacement program for King’s John King, USA. The Post described JK USA as “low rated,” though recent Nielsen overnights have been very impressive for the 7 p.m. show (up 20 percent among viewers 25-54 compared to a year ago). And in a media release from CNN today, the network crows about King’s ratings performance in February, noting that was the show’s best month since its launch in March 2010.

So, as Heidi Klum might ask, is he in… or out? All CNN would tell us is this, via a press rep: “We don’t comment on rumors, and JK, USA just had its best month since launch.”

CNN, fox news, John King, John King USA, New York Post, News Corp., wall street journal

The Real Royal King

King is a greater election analyst and reporter. Perhaps, one of the best, along with Chuck Todd, and far, far better than the ethically compromised Kampain Karl Kameron. As a host, not very good at all ….
http://TheDividedStatesBlog.com Publius219

The Real Royal King said:
King is a greater election analyst and reporter. Perhaps, one of the best, along with Chuck Todd, and far, far better than the ethically compromised Kampain Karl Kameron. As a host, not very good at all ….

Ha! They’re just a part of the LIBERALSTREAM MANIA!!!
Tribunal

Friday morning the NY Post reported Parker would be out soon and she was fired later that day. So the argument that those papers are owned by News Corp has no relevance here.
BadGenome

Dear me! If John King sees your puckish little crosshairs reference, he’ll definitely be out at least temporarily while he undergoes treatment for PTSD.
Who is Salacious Crumb

Tribunal said:
Friday morning the NY Post reported Parker would be out soon and she was fired later that day. So the argument that those papers are owned by News Corp has no relevance here.

Yup. Plus, what motive would Murdoch have against John King of all people?
lazzzlo

PAGE SIX item ominously headlined “More Blood,”

Really?
WCinWI

I hope King moves to Fox. I actually really like King and he’d be a nice asset during the Presidential campaign. Or he could move to ABC and Palin could do her interview with him. :)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jutta-Kueppers/100001248185204 Jutta Kueppers

It would be a bad idea to fire him, he is a good journalist and a long time by this company. It is a bad style and not a solution for CNNto fire the whole stuff. Remember Sanchez Amanpour, the old King and so on. That’s so bad
mibwilso

I like Soledad just fine….but what would make them think that she would fare any better than Campbell Brown or Paula Zahn?? She’s cut from the same cloth (in terms of her TV presence/style).
mibwilso

John King is a good reporter…but he was much better as White House Correspondent.
mibwilso

mibwilso said:
John King is a good reporter…but he was much better as White House Correspondent.

I respect that he tries to give both sides a fair shake. But he’s just milquetoast as a host. Much better for supporting roles.
OxyCon

John King is about the only good thing CNN has going for it, besides Woofie.
WCinWI

OxyCon said:
John King is about the only good thing CNN has going for it, besides Woofie.

And when your shining moment is an anchor close to retirement, that’s not saying much.

Maybe Dana Loesch could get her own CNN show. That’d be sweet!
OxyCon

The Real Royal King said:
King is a greater election analyst and reporter. Perhaps, one of the best, along with Chuck Todd,

LMAO! Chuck Todd? Man that’s an insult to John King.
WCinWI

OxyCon said:
LMAO! Chuck Todd? Man that’s an insult to John King.

Chuck Todd is a joke. Ed Henry can be a cheeseball too. Ed’s a nice guy, but whenever he goes to Hawaii, does he need to wear apparel that makes him look like the fanny pack tourist?
sticks

John King is good with politics, but does’nt have much personality… Most people would say that is a good thing in a news anchor, but these days people want more… Looks, brains, passion on issues, snarkiness, all make for good anchoring… What I don’t get is why CNN does’nt let their guys go… Let them say what they think, like everyone else does… It’s as plain as the nose on your face that, that is what makes for successful news shows…
sticks

The Real Royal King said:
King is a greater election analyst and reporter. Perhaps, one of the best, along with Chuck Todd, and far, far better than the ethically compromised Kampain Karl Kameron. As a host, not very good at all ….

Once again King, your ignorance rears its ugly head, as Carl Cammeron is not a host… He’s an on the scene reporter… He follows canidates and races… Brett Baier, Megyn Kelly, Bill Hemmer, these are the hosts on FOX (more often than not) when it comes to politics…
Thelonious Funk

He’s just taking time of for Anger Management
libra blue

This is not unexpected. CNN put all its time and money into Anderson Cooper and Piers Morgan. Everyone else is expendable. I have always thought that John King was a good journalist, but I lost a lot of respect for him & Dana Bash when I found out that they are friends of that pig Kathy Griffin.
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

sticks said:
Once again King, your ignorance rears its ugly head, as Carl Cammeron is not a host… He’s an on the scene reporter… He follows canidates and races… Brett Baier, Megyn Kelly, Bill Hemmer, these are the hosts on FOX (more often than not) when it comes to politics…

You have to remember RRK has no idea what he is talking about. He just lies and he lies when his lies are obvious. For instance he is always talking about Hannity’s hair piece, LOL. Everyone knows Hannity does not have a hair piece. RRK thinks it is funny to lie.
Michael_T

sticks said:
The Real Royal King said:
King is a greater election analyst and reporter. Perhaps, one of the best, along with Chuck Todd, and far, far better than the ethically compromised Kampain Karl Kameron. As a host, not very good at all ….
Once again King, your ignorance rears its ugly head, as Carl Cammeron is not a host… He’s an on the scene reporter

I think you need to reread RRK’s comment. He did not say that Cameron is a host.