The encyclopedia · Advertising & PR · Marketing decision · 2020
ViacomCBS fired Nick Cannon over one podcast episode
An episode of his YouTube podcast spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories; ViacomCBS terminated its relationship with the Wild 'N Out producer the next day.
ViacomCBS · Nick Cannon (host) · VH1 · 2020-07-14
What happened
On July 14, 2020, ViacomCBS announced it was terminating its relationship with Nick Cannon over an episode of his YouTube podcast "Cannon's Class" that promoted anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
The company statement did the firing and the explaining at once: "ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism. We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast 'Cannon's Class' on YouTube, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him."
The statement's own wording named why this was termination rather than a suspension: Cannon had "failed to acknowledge or apologize." The network said further announcements on its efforts to combat hate of all kinds would follow.
Why it happened
- One podcast episode was enough to end a long-standing relationship because the remarks targeted a group the network had to be seen to defend.
- The statement documented the missing apology as the reason for the severity — termination, not suspension, because Cannon had not walked it back.
- A media company's talent deal is a standing public claim, and the firing was written to be public, with the network's own anti-bigotry commitment on the record.
The lesson
A host's deal is a standing public claim, one episode can void it, and the firing itself named the missing apology as the reason there was nothing to negotiate.
Aftermath
The termination covered Cannon's work with the company, including Wild 'N Out, the VH1 comedy improv series he produced. The network's statement was written to be the public record of why — the reason, in its own words, on the day it acted.
Sources
- Deadline — Nick Cannon Fired By ViacomCBS For 'Hateful Speech,' Espousing 'Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories', 14 Jul 2020 (full company statement verbatim)
- CNN — Nick Cannon let go by ViacomCBS over anti-Semitic comments, 15 Jul 2020 (statement core verbatim)
- CBS News — Nick Cannon dropped by ViacomCBS over 'anti-Semitic' comments, 15 Jul 2020 (statement verbatim; Cannon produced Wild 'n Out for VH1)
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