Big Head DC can exclusively confirm that MSNBC honchos have decided definitively to cancel the 4 p.m. live airing of “Tucker,” the political program hosted by conservative talker Tucker Carlson, which normally re-airs at 6 p.m. Bosses decided that focusing exclusively on creating a single live show at 6 p.m. will be best for the show, reliable insiders have told us. 

Some MSNBC top brass are convinced that the 4 p.m. show hurt ratings for the 6 p.m. hour and would rather air more breaking news segments in the afternoon. Six o’clock, too, is far more important to advertisers.

There are also rumors from CNN that Lou Dobbs’ program will move from its current spot at 6 p.m. to fill departing anchor Paula Zahn’s current 8 p.m. slot. This move, MSNBCers believe, will ultimately give “Tucker” a great shot at winning the lucrative cable news 6 p.m. crown.

The realigned Carlson TV plans will likely go into effect on July 9.