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September 3, 2009

Fox Business adds Don Imus to its TV lineup

Controversial radio show host Don Imus will be joining the Fox Business lineup as the result of multi-year year deal the channel announced Thursday to simulcast "Imus in the Morning" starting Oct. 5. The program will air 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays on the Rupert Murdoch owned channel.

“We’re excited to welcome a renowned broadcaster like Don Imus to the Fox Business team. His 40 years of on-air experience combined with his superb interviewing skills and capitalist sensibilities will be a great addition to our lineup," Kevin Magee, executive vice president of Fox Business, said in a statement.

According to the Fox release, the program, will will "add business news into its format which now offers a mix of current affairs, politics, entertainment and sports."

 “I love Fox. Roger Ailes [president of the Fox News Channel] is the preeminent genius of American Broadcasting. Who wouldn't want to do this?" Imus said in the press release from Fox.

Imus was fired by CBS, which syndicated his radio show, and MSNBC, which simulcast it on cable, in 2007 after making on-air remarks about the Rurgers University womens' basketball program that were deemed to be racist  by some. In the wake of the Imus remarks, advertisers bolted the show.

Posted by David Zurawik at 11:09 AM | | Comments (32)
Categories: Fox
        

Comments

YABBA DABBA DOO!
I be lovin' the I-man and can't WAIT for his return, again, to TV. I'm SURE that Fox will supply Imus with the TV razzle dazzle that was so sorely lacking in the last year of the RFD broadcast. Don't get me wrong, RFD is a great channel. I subscribed to DirecTV JUST to get RFD, because of IMUS. But it seems that RFD didn't have deep enough pockets for a show the caliber of Imus in the Morning. So we'll be listening on the radio and looking foreword to tuning in to FOX Business Network as a regular viewer...because of Imus.

Oh Fox is so smart. This is a 'coup d'etat'. I can't wait, I could care less what channel he's on, I will watch it. I'm tired of Morning Joe Smack and ready for Imus again. He is the entertainment we are missing.

Seems fitting. Another loser on the loser network.

It seems perfectly logical to me that Don ... would end up on one of the Faux channels!! He really belongs on the Faux News channel to complete the lineup of butt... already reeking on that channel: O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck, etc.

The Varmint
varmint345@yahoo.com


Hi Mr. Vamint: edited for coarse language. Thanks. Z

I missed listening to Don Imus even though I am not always in agreement with him. He erred in the comments made about the Rutgers team, but was sincere in his apologies to the team and viewers. He definitely is not a racist, and does much good for cancer ridden kids at his ranch. I'm glad Fox news didn't seek Sharpton's approval as forgiveness by Sharpton does not exist.

I'm good with it...as long as it doesn't cut into my Cheryl Casone-viewing time!

I, also, dropped cable and got Direct TV to get RFD and the Imus show. For all you folks bad mouthing FOX, you realize they have more viewers than all the other cable channels COMBINED. They are obviously doing something right.

I was confused when Imus went off RFD, and it now makes sense.

Hi, Just for factual record, this is the Fox Business channel, not Fox News, the channel to which you are referring. Fox News has great ratings, but Fox Business does not. Thanks. Z

Not happy that two informative shows centered around global and domestic financial news are being replaced with banter and cutesy crap ala Don Imus. He's a radio guy who doesn't need to be simulcast so you can see how ridiculous he looks with his cowboy hat hiding his aged face. What are the producers thinking?

I don't even get "fox business" on basic cable. The only radio guy worth watching on TV is HOWARD STERN, and he has an uncensored pay service on digital cable. I can't wait to hear his enlightened economic commentary. Seeing as Stern doesn't talk about that on his show, it will be tough for Imus to steal quality material.

THIS is the "change we have been waiting for!"

Can't stand 'Fox' News but, will go to the Dr. to get incoculated so I don't break out in any rash or disease. I will be 'front & center' every morning from 6-9 watching the 'I-Dude', 'Are your peaches fuzzy???' nana, na, na! Good God almighty!!!!!!

This is very good news for those of us who enjoyed listening to Imus. Can't believe he hasn't been on a Baltimore-based station for years! I think he's on a D.C. station, but it's impossible to get, even for a Howard County resident. This is even better news if Sirius-XM carries this station...

Inoculated (sp) previous post sorry.
Columbia Bill,
Don't think Imus will ever go to Sirius, but you can get Imus on computer via, WABC New York, the flagship, plus other stations that he is syndicated on. I'm in Ohio, and that's how I did listen (along with RFD TV), you probably were aware of that?

I just hope that Iman's flirtation with the left, initiated when he hooked up with Diedre, ended with the brutal treastment he got from his "pals" on the left for his screw up! Lived in Jersey in the 90's and his radio show was a riot. Had a clip by Kennedy every week or two which ended in about 10 seconds with the sound on rushing water. If he return to his natural, western, liberal baiting, conservative roots, it will be a homerun!
ps for all you crybaby Fox haters out there..Murdoch/Ailes have forgotten more about running a successful communications business than all the liberal empty suits on the left combined. Imus will put FBN on the map! Check back in 12 months!

Steve - wasn't aware of that. Good news.... Thanks for sharing!

Never cared for Don Imus what can he contribute to the business world? I though he was mostly a talk radio personality?

Z, Last post, I am getting some more sleep for tonight. Have a nice evening.

Steve,
I am in Ohio too. I hope Imus doesn't Sirius. I won't tune in. But I do love the Sirius 66 Christian music. I listen to it before work it gets me in a good mood.

I really do not relate with Fox news network as a whole.
I think Don Imus regretted his remarks to the basketball team.

By the way, I do not consider myself a crybaby Fox hater..I consider myself a democrat, who does not like a channel that considers themselves "FAIR AND BALANCED" when they are Republicans.

I personally don't think the Fox News network needs any more rascists but he's a logical choice for them.

I, also, dropped cable and got Direct TV to get RFD and the Imus show. For all you folks bad mouthing FOX, you realize they have more viewers than all the other cable channels COMBINED. They are obviously doing something right.

Well, it sounds like Fox Business Channel is giving up on pre-market and overseas markets reporting. Why would a fledging business news channel that likes to take on CNBC surrender its core morning coverage to that very network? I guess that is why I am not a media mogul.

If I want to see a lizard in a cowboy hat, I'll wait until the Geiko Gecko goes Western.

The funny thing about Imus (probably the ONLY funny thing about him) is that he was a nobody with a lousy career until Howard Stern went to NY. After copying the style that Howard started while they were at the same station, he started to get a little bit of a following; although he NEVER got near Howard in ratings. Howard was the perennial Number 1 in the NYC market and if Imus got in the Top Ten it is was a reason for him to celebrate.

The Varmint
varmint345@yahoo.com

How fitting.

its a good look that to see everyone getting a second a chance...Vick, Imus...etc.

i believe a lot of people are confusing fox new with fox business. that is a totally different t.v. channel is it not? i watch fox news each morning but cant get fox business news.wish i could watch imus.never missed a day when he was on msnbc.he was entertaining if nothing else

Hi Linda, Yes, it is a totally different cable channel. I have tried to make that clear in the post and some comments. But I do not think I was successful. And the bottom line: Fox News Channel is hugely siuccessful in ratings, while the Fox Business Ntework is not -- at least, not yet. Thanks for asking. Z

i believe folks are confusing fox news with fox business news. i watch fox news each morning and love it. i never missed a day watching imus when he was on msnbc. he was very entertaining and i believed what i wanted to believe and dismissed what ever else he said. wish i could get fox business but live in arkansas so that explains everything

The VARMINT (buzzard) is jealous of the Iman. All of us will see FOX NEWS ratings' soar. As far as the other "Old Cowboy look" remark goes, we love cowboys and Imus is a real cowboy, therefore if you want to watch dummies, try msnbc or other. Plenty of your type there.
Those that don't watch Imus are the real loosers.

Well I guess this puts yet another nail in the coffin of MSNBC....the only cable news network to have less viewers then Animal Planet.(Thats not a joke...check the ratings) Morning Joe ratings will drop by half which means their will be only the 10 people watching from SOHO instead of 20.

thank god don imus will be back on tv on fox but when???????? deene

Imus is the best. Mika and her left wing... rants are disgusting. We will all watch Imus.

Edited for allegation I cannot confirm. Z

Is Don Imus really on TV. Can't find him. What time, what channel.

Fox Business Channel (FBN) in the morning drive-time slot. Z

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About David Zurawik
I've been The Baltimore Sun's TV critic since 1989. My writings on TV and media have appeared in such publications as TV Guide, Esquire magazine and American Journalism Review. I have a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.A. in specialized reporting (on popular culture) from the University of Wisconsin. I'm the author of The Jews of Prime Time (Brandeis University Press), a look at 50 years of Jewish characters and identity on network TV. I have also been with WYPR-FM (88.1) radio since 1994 and can be heard Thursday mornings at 7:30 doing a weekly "Take on Television" report.
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