The made-for-TV movie Killing Lincoln was a hit for National Geographic Channel, which is also producing Killing Kennedy, two books written by Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly. Nat Geo also has the rights for his to-be-released Killing Jesus. That one got away from CNN, according to the New York Post...

Because Nat Geo had pulled big ratings with its TV movie of “Killing Lincoln,” ... a bidding war broke out over the movie rights to the Jesus book, sources in Hollywood said yesterday.

Among the most aggressive bidders was — surprisingly — CNN, the sources said.

CNN head Jeff Zucker offered up $2.5 million for the rights, according to the Post, but was evidently beat by Nat Geo.

We've requested comment from CNN's media relations department.

@eScarry