Ratings-challenged CNN is reportedly set for a major bloodbath

Ratings-challenged CNN is reportedly set for a major bloodbath — with
boss Mark Thompson expected to lay off high-priced on-air talent as
part of wide-ranging layoffs.

The cable network — which lagged behind rivals MSNBC and Fox News
during last week’s Election Night coverage — will implement “layoffs
that will impact hundreds of employees across the organization,”
[1]according to Puck News.

Thompson, who took over last year after the ouster of Chris Licht, will
cull personnel from CNN’s television production teams whose “talents
won’t necessarily be needed in the new digital-first landscape,” the
outlet added[2].

[3]CNN will lay off hundreds of employees in the coming months,
according to a report.
CNN will lay off hundreds of employees in the coming months, according
to a report. Getty Images

The network’s workforce is reported to be coping with “an atmosphere of
high stress and high anxiety,” according to Puck.

Thompson, the former CEO of the New York Times and the BBC, may also
demand deep cuts to the massive salaries raked in by its struggling
primetime stable of anchors, which include Anderson Cooper, Erin
Burnett and Kaitlan Collins.

Cooper, who anchored the Election night coverage, rakes in an annual
salary reported to be as high as $20 million[4]. Burnett makes about $6
million and Collins takes home a more budget-friendly $3 million.

The Post has sought comment from CNN.

Signs of change were apparent on Monday after [5]Chris Wallace
confirmed that he was leaving CNN — ending a three-year stint at the
network that was marred by low ratings and[6] turmoil in its corporate
board.

Last month,[7] the independent newsletter The Ankler reported that
Thompson would ask Wallace, who was earning a reported salary of $8.5
million annually, as well as other top stars at the network such as[8]
Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer to take pay cuts.

As part of Thompson’s reorganization plan, CNN will ask reporters and
correspondents to assume more of the responsibilities that are
currently being handled by producers and production assistants.

CNN will also do away with redundant assignments while either reducing
— or outright eliminating — various divisions, according to Puck.

[9]Mark Thompson, who took over CNN last year, is planning a massive
overhaul at the network.
Mark Thompson, who took over CNN last year, is planning a massive
overhaul at the network. AFP via Getty Images

Earlier this year, CNN laid off about 100 employees — or 3% of its
workforce.

The expected changes come amid paltry ratings for the network on
Election Day — a day that is has historically dominated.

CNN had just 5.1 million viewers in prime time last Tuesday night,
according to Nielsen data. Fox News, which shares common ownership with
The Post, reeled in 10.3 million viewers from 8 to 11 p.m. Eastern time
on Tuesday, according to Nielsen data.

MSNBC’s coverage, anchored by Rachel Maddow, averaged 6 million viewers
to best CNN for the first time in its history.

[10]CNN's election night coverage generated an audience of just 5.1
million viewers -- fewer than those of Fox News and MSNBC.
CNN’s election night coverage generated an audience of just 5.1 million
viewers — fewer than those of Fox News and MSNBC. Getty Images

In 2016, CNN had an audience of 13.3 million viewers on Election Day.

CNN spokespeople touted the network’s “cross-platform audience” of 44
million, which includes 14 million who streamed coverage on its digital
platforms and on CNN Max.

The network also noted that 67 million people visited CNN.com over the
course of Election Day.

References

1. https://puck.news/cnns-existential-post-election-season/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=1&utm_content=cnns-existential-post-election-season
2. https://puck.news/cnns-existential-post-election-season/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=1&utm_content=cnns-existential-post-election-season
3. file:///tmp/lynxXXXXpmi8g6/L1358845-5311TMP.html
4. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14073063/CNN-layoffs-election-ratings-firings.html
5. https://nypost.com/2024/11/11/us-news/cnn-host-chris-wallace-leaving-network-after-3-years-to-explore-possible-full-time-podcasting-career/
6. https://nypost.com/2022/03/09/jeff-zucker-reaches-settlement-in-tens-of-millions-with-warnermedia-cnn-report/
7. https://theankler.com/p/cnn-star-salary-beheadings-chris-wallace-wolf-blitzer-jake-tapper
8. https://nypost.com/2024/10/17/media/jake-tapper-wolf-blitzer-denied-cnn-raises-chris-wallace-faces-pay-cut-report/
9. file:///tmp/lynxXXXXpmi8g6/L1358845-5311TMP.html
10. file:///tmp/lynxXXXXpmi8g6/L1358845-5311TMP.html