Cable News Reports on the Death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

By Merrill Knox 

Shortly before 5pmET, the cable news networks turned their attention to breaking news that Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has died from cancer.

Bloomberg TV’s Trish Regan reported Chavez’s death at 4:53pmET. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer followed at 4:55pmET, sourcing Venezuela television. MSNBC’s Martin Bashir was next at 4:57pmET, reporting that NBC News had confirmed Chavez’s death. Fox News’ Andrea Tantaros reported the news at the top of “The Five,” with the network getting independent conformation at 5:04pmET. Shepard Smith took over anchoring for FNC at 5:12pmET.

>Update: FNC went back to the “The Five” at 5:23pmET.

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