"The top brass are pulling their hair out trying to find a solution before the election really heats up," an insider revealed. The network is said to be seeking "another Chris," a reference to Cuomo's high ratings during his tenure.
In 2021, Cuomo was CNN's highest-rated prime-time host. However, he was dismissed by then-CEO Jeff Zucker following allegations that he had assisted his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in responding to sexual harassment allegations. After his dismissal, Cuomo sought $125 million in arbitration from CNN and subsequently secured a position at NewsNation.
In 2022, Variety reported that Zucker's decision to terminate Cuomo was partially motivated by a desire to curry favor with incoming Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav. Zucker, who vehemently denied the Variety report, was later ousted in 2022.
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This week, a source told Page Six: "CNN insiders say there could be a deal to be made with Chris down the road — this is already being whispered about, and discussed quietly, but still unofficially." The source added that Cuomo, who has not publicly discussed his potential return to CNN, is believed to miss his former role and the opportunity to influence national discourse.
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"American audiences love a comeback," the source noted. "It remains a longshot that CNN would amicably settle Chris' lawsuit and bring him back, but stranger things have happened in TV when it comes down to ad dollars and almighty ratings."
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In a previous podcast interview with Anthony Scaramucci, Cuomo reflected on his time at CNN: "I wasn’t set up to be [No. 1]. I wasn’t the big name there, I didn’t have the big team, they didn’t do the advertising about me. But I was still No. 1. Why? Because it was the best show. Because I was giving people what they needed in that moment."
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