CNBC shuffles lineup ahead of Fox Business debut

By Paul J. Gough

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - CNBC is changing the programming that airs after each weekday's closing bell in advance of the October 15 debut of the Fox Business Network.

CNBC's weak spot has always been after the market closes at 4 p.m. EDT, with various starts and stops over the past several years that have included talk shows with Dennis Miller and John McEnroe, and repeats of such shows as "Deal or No Deal" and "The Apprentice" from its NBC sibling.

But with the arrival of CNBC chief Mark Hoffman two years ago, the channel's business-oriented programming was extended through the close of business on the West Coast. And it also has a high-profile program in Jim Cramer's "Mad Money."

The network said Thursday that "Fast Money," a traders' debate show hosted by Dylan Ratigan, will expand to an hour and take over the 5 p.m. ET slot now occupied by "Kudlow & Co.," the Washington-based business/financial news program. "Kudlow" will move into the 7 p.m. EDT slot now occupied by "On the Money," which will be pulled from the schedule, though the network said it would return at some point.

The changes don't affect "Mad Money."

"Fast Money" will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. EDT, followed by an hour at 9 p.m. that will include a revolving door of programming including CNBC documentaries and "Deal or No Deal." The talk show "The Big Idea With Donnie Deutsch" will appear at 10 p.m. EDT, with "Mad Money" at 11 p.m. EDT and the documentaries and "Deal or No Deal" at midnight EDT.

The changes become effective October 10.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter