One day after NBC News killed MSNBC’s weekday simulcast of Imus in the Morning, CBS Radio decided Thursday afternoon to scrap Don Imus’ long-running radio show, as well.
“From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and repulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent,” CBS president Leslie Moonves said in a prepared statement.
“Those who have spoken with us the past few days represent people of goodwill from all segments of our society -- all races, economic groups, men and women alike,” he added.
Imus’ exit from broadcasting came eight days after he uttered the term “nappy-headed hos” while discussing the Rutgers University women’s-basketball team during his morning broadcast April 4.
NBC News and CBS Radio waited until five days later, this past Monday, to announce two-week suspensions for Imus and his crew effective April 16. NBC opted to scrap the simulcast on MSNBC for good Wednesday night, responding to pressure from employees, advertisers and community leaders.
The broadcast-radio career of Imus, 66, could be over. But Imus has spoken fondly in the past of Sirius Satellite Radio, which employs his former WNBC-AMNew York colleague and rival, Howard Stern. The I-Man could eventually surface on Sirius or XM, which have merger plans.
