Chris Cuomo CNN Comeback Before Election 2024 Being Discussed As Ratings Drop: Report
CNN is reportedly considering bringing back Chris Cuomo after its latest prime-time talk show failed to produce ratings.
Page Six quoted unnamed "sources at CNN" as saying that network heads have been "trying to find a solution" to their ratings problem and want "another Chris" as the 2024 presidential election looms.
According to one source, a potential deal between CNN and its former highest-rated prime-time star was "already being whispered about, and discussed quietly, but still unofficially" within the network.
The talks reportedly came as CNN failed to "replicate Chris' success with their audience."
The source suggested that though he "isn't talking about this openly," Cuomo would be open to returning to the cable news network.
"It's generally accepted by his circle that he misses his old job, loves being on TV and making a difference on national topics of interest to everyone. He wants to be in Israel reporting on the war," the source told Page Six.
CNN's then-CEO Jeff Zucker fired Cuomo in December 2021 after he aided his brother Andrew Cuomo while the former New York governor faced multiple accusations of sexual harassment.
RELATED : Meghan McCain Slammed for Dissing the Cuomo Brothers, 'You're The Poster Child for Nepotism'
Cuomo, however, insisted that CNN was aware that he was giving his brother counsel.
Zucker was himself ousted just months after firing Cuomo due to his failure to disclose a consensual relationship with a colleague.
In March 2022, the former news anchor filed a $125 million arbitration against CNN, alleging that his career suffered following his termination.
In the filing, Cuomo said the massive figure includes his "remaining salary" from his contract and "future wages lost as a result of CNN's efforts to destroy his reputation," USA Today reported.
He later returned to TV with a prime-time show on NewsNation.
But according to Page Six's source, CNN may be "ready to move beyond the old issues" following the changes in the management.
The insider admitted that CNN amicably settling Cuomo's lawsuit and offering him a new deal remain a "longshot."
However, the source suggested it remains a possibility as "ad dollars" and ratings are at stake.
Last year, Cuomo opened up about the impact his termination had on him during an appearance on the "Open Book With Anthony Scaramucci" podcast, revealing that he contemplated suicide after losing his job.
"I had to accept [my firing] because I was going to kill everybody including myself," Cuomo recalled. "Things can consume you. Italians are so passionate. There is damage that is relatable, there is damage that is un-relatable to people that I have to deal with, that I am working on."
Addressing the drop in his ratings at NewsNation compared to his stint at CNN, Cuomo said he's aware he'll "never" be No. 1 in the ratings again.
"That was taken from me, I believe wrongly," Cuomo said. "I'll litigate that."
Meanwhile, the report of a potential CNN comeback for Cuomo came after Charles Barkley and Gayle King's limited series at CNN, "King Charles," came to an end after six months.
The New York Post reported, citing Nielsen figures, that the prime-time show had much lower ratings compared to its competitors, Fox News' "Gutfeld!" and MSNBC's "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell."
