NBC Suspends Imus
No Imus in the Morning on MSNBC for Two Weeks
By Steve Donohue -- Multichannel News, 4/9/2007 3:30:00 PM
NBC News said late Monday that it will suspend the simulcast of the Imus in the Morning program on MSNBC for two weeks beginning April 16.
The move came five days after host Don Imus caused an uproar when called the players on the Rutgers University women’s-basketball team “nappy-headed hos.”
“This comes after careful consideration in the days since his racist, abhorrent comments were made,” NBC News said in a prepared statement. “Don Imus has expressed profound regret and embarrassment and has made a commitment to listen to all of those who have raised legitimate expressions of outrage. In addition, his dedication -- in his words -- to change the discourse on his program moving forward has confirmed for us that this action is appropriate.”
Despite the uproar sparked by Imus’ on-air comments, and subsequent demands from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton and other community leaders that NBC fire Imus, the company wasn’t expected to make such a bold move. Imus in the Morning remains one of the most popular shows on MSNBC, averaging 358,000 viewers Monday-Friday during the first quarter.
CBS Radio, which broadcasts Imus’ morning program on radio stations nationwide, said it will suspend Imus for the same period as NBC.
Imus will go on suspension following Thursday and Friday’s broadcasts, which will include a previously scheduled radiothon to raise funds for the Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund, the CJ Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Imus’ Imus Ranch.
No related content found.
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
