The decision by CBS to pull the plug on the popular "Imus in the Morning Show," which blended locker-room humour with talk with A-list politicians and other leading lights.

The move came one day after he was jettisoned by MSNBC, which had broadcast his radio show on television and after several major advertisers backed out after he called the mostly black Rutgers University team "nappy-headed hos".

"Nappy" is a slur describing the tightly curled hair of many African-Americans, and "ho" is slang for "whore," usage of which has exploded in hip-hop music and popular culture.

"From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University ... with such class, energy and talent," CBS president and chief executive officer Leslie Moonves said in a statement.

Imus was not immediately available for comment.

CBS said the cancellation was effective immediately. The show was carried on 61 stations across the United States.

CBS Corp unit CBS Radio made millions of dollars annually from the show and had originally said it would suspend him for two weeks starting Monday while it mulled what action to take.