After 25 Years, Novak Out At CNN

CNN isn’t renewing Bob Novak‘s contract. CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein said the following in a statement this morning:

“After 25 years of serving as a CNN commentator and program host, our colleague Bob Novak’s tenure on the network will come to a close (effective 12/31).

Through the years, Bob has offered incisive analysis for much of CNN’s programming, including Crossfire, The Capital Gang, Inside Politics, Evans and Novak, The Novak Zone, and Novak, Hunt and Shields. Bob has also been a valued contributor to CNN’s political coverage. We appreciate his many contributions and wish him well in future endeavors.”

CNN “asked Mr. Novak to take some time off” in August after he walked off the set of Inside Politics…

> Update: 12:52pm: Dow Jones: “Edie Emery, a spokeswoman for the cable news network, said CNN’s decision wasn’t related to Novak’s role in the CIA leak investigation or to his suspension. Emery said that Novak’s contract is expiring. ‘It was a good time to take stock of things,’ she said.”

> Update: 12:55pm: “Although CNN did not offer a rationale behind cutting Novak loose, network executives were said to have been content with putting him on ice until his contract runs out,” MediaWeek says.