In a surprise move, CNN has announced the cancellation of its primetime talk show, "King Charles," after just six months on the air. The program, which was co-hosted by basketball legend Charles Barkley and "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King, failed to generate the ratings that the network had hoped for.
The show, which aired on Wednesday nights, struggled to compete with other cable news programs in its time slot. In fact, according to Nielsen ratings, "King Charles" averaged only 459,000 total viewers and 106,000 in the key demographic of ages 25-54. This was a significant drop from its debut episode, which was watched by 500,000 viewers with 139,000 in the 25-54 age range.
Many believe that one of the reasons for the show's low ratings was Barkley's demanding schedule. As a co-host on TNT's popular show "Inside the NBA," Barkley was only available to film "King Charles" on Wednesdays. This limited availability may have prevented the show from gaining a consistent viewership.
CNN axes Charles Barkley and Gayle King’s weekly show ‘King Charles’ after 6 months https://t.co/yD1j7EW7mf pic.twitter.com/U7ua9oUGEa
— New York Post (@nypost) April 15, 2024
Despite the disappointment of the show's cancellation, CNN remains proud of the program. A network spokesperson pointed out that "King Charles" had a diverse viewership, with 44% of its audience being non-white. This made it the most diverse program among CNN's primetime lineup. The spokesperson also noted that the show had a young, affluent, and diverse audience, making it a valuable addition to the network's lineup.
The show's cancellation may also reflect larger issues within CNN. The program was created by former CNN boss Chris Licht, who was let go last June after a tumultuous tenure at the network. Licht's management style and decisions were heavily criticized, and his departure came just 16 months after he took on the role. He also faced backlash for his involvement in the failed launch of CNN's streaming service, as well as low ratings in key time slots.
Licht's departure from CNN was marked by a scathing profile published by The Atlantic, titled "Inside the Meltdown at CNN." The article reportedly angered executives at Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN. This, combined with the show's poor ratings, may have contributed to the decision to cancel "King Charles."
The cancellation of "King Charles" is just the latest in a string of changes within CNN. The network has seen multiple high-profile departures and changes in leadership in recent years, with some attributing it to a loss of direction and a decline in viewership. However, others believe that this is simply a natural evolution in an ever-changing media landscape.
For now, it remains to be seen what will replace "King Charles" in CNN's primetime lineup. While the network has not made any official announcements, it seems likely that they will continue to experiment with new programs in an effort to boost ratings and attract a diverse audience. Only time will tell if they will be successful in their efforts.