TVNewser has confirmed with a source close to the negotiations that Fox Business Network executives are in talks with Don Imus to bring his radio show to the 22-month old network.
AllYourTV.com, which first reported the news Friday night, reports the show “could make the move as early as September 1.” RFD-TV, which currently simulcasts Imus in the Morning is looking to drop the show, “due to financial problems at the network,” the blog reported.
A Fox Business spokesperson tells TVNewser, “We’re always talking to interesting talent.”
The Imus radio show would be simulcast on FBN in the mornings until 9amET, which means “Money for Breakfast” would go away. Alexis Glick, who is a co-host of “Breakfast” but is also an executive with the network, is likely part of the Imus negotiations. Glick also anchors “Opening Bell” at 9amET.
“Imus in the Morning” on WFAN radio was simulcast on MSNBC for 11 years, beginning in 1996 until April 11, 2007. A week earlier, on April 4, Imus made some derogatory comments about the Rutgers Women’s basketball team calling them “nappy headed hos.” Despite an apology, an appearance on Al Sharpton’s radio show and a meeting with the team, the comments cost Imus the TV simulcast and, the following day, his show on WFAN.
Imus returned to the airwaves six months later on WABC Radio. At the time, there was speculation that Imus would be simulcast on Fox News. A Fox spokesperson told TVNewser, “there have been no conversations with Imus about joining Fox News.” Instead, the radio show has been simulcast on RFD-TV.
> More: The LATimes’ Matea Gold reports, “if the talks conclude as anticipated, the arrangement could start sometime in September.”