Why CNN Should Hire Charles Barkley in a Short-Term Move

CNN continues to be interested in Charles Barkley.

He Confirmed In an interview with The New York Post, Barkley expressed his interest in the network. CNN plans to pair Barkley and Gayle King.

The duo, however, are not in discussions to fill the full-time vacant primetime role at 9 pm — the time slot Chris Cuomo assumed before his firing in 2021 — despite previous speculation.

CNN will instead pair the two to create a weekly show at a time that is not yet known.

CNN could use Barkley on Sunday nights and King one day a weeks, just like Rachel Maddow every Monday on MSNBC. CNN should still find a host to replace Cuomo’s primetime duties, regardless of what.

This is the main programming concern of the network.

CNN has not replaced Cuomo, as it doesn’t have a primetime personality that can carry a program. The channel has rotated Laura Coates, Sara Sidner, and Kasie Hunt over the past year — none of whom have proven to be sufficient draws in the ratings.

CNN should look outside for someone who has the potential to replace Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity or Stephen A. Smith. CNN does not currently have the right person.

Barkley would be a star for the network in the long-term, but until then. He’d give viewers an incentive to keep watching. He’d add positive energy.

Barkley would help distract from the continuing struggles of the CNN brand. Barkley himself called the channel. “a s*** show right now” In his Wednesday interview.

CNN currently lacks an identity or purpose. Despite an election year, CNN saw significant declines between 2022 and now.

The channel was viewed by only 24 percent of its viewers last year. CNN at primetime drew only 735,000 viewers.

Recently, we analyzed the year 2022.

And 2023 has been no better.

CNN recently recorded a nine-year low in viewership. The new Don Lemon-led morning show has further tarnished the brand with all-time lows and daily turmoil.

(Lemon is not in “formal training” for his issues with women.)

If nothing else, Barkley would be something worth promoting. He’s entertaining on the air. He’s unpredictable. He’d attract big-name guests, be it in politics or sports or entertainment.

Barkley’s personality a sharp turn from the stuffiness of Anderson Cooper and the oddness of Jim Acosta.

Sure, settling for a former NBA player with little knowledge of American politics isn’t ideal. Nor is pairing him with a 68-year-old anchor who Don Lemon would say is well past her prime.

But that’s the state CNN finds itself in, a state of desperation for what was once the preeminent news brand.

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