Ratings-challenged CNN is reportedly gearing up for a major carnage – with boss Mark Thompson expected to remove high-priced on-air talent as part of widespread 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.” According to Puck News.
Thompson, who took over after Chris Licht was ousted last year, will remove personnel from CNN’s television production teams that “will not have the talents needed in the new digital-first landscape,” the outlet said.,
The network’s workforce is facing “an environment of high stress and high anxiety,” according to Puck.
Thompson, the former CEO of The New York Times and BBC, may also demand deep pay cuts earned by its struggling primetime anchors, including Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett and Caitlan Collins.
Cooper, who anchored the election night coverage, has a reported annual salary of up to $20 million, Burnett makes about $6 million and Collins takes home a more budget-friendly $3 million.
The post sought comment from CNN.
After this, signs of change were clearly visible on Monday Chris Wallace confirms he is leaving CNN – Ended a three-year stint at the network that was marred by low ratings Turmoil at its corporate board.
last month, Independent newsletter The Ankler It was reported that Thompson would ask Wallace, who was earning a reported salary of $8.5 million annually, as well as the network’s other top stars such as Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer will take pay cuts.
As part of Thompson’s restructuring plan, CNN will ask reporters and correspondents to take on more responsibilities that are currently handled by producers and production assistants.
According to Puck, CNN will either reduce or eliminate various divisions and eliminate unnecessary functions.
Earlier this year, CNN laid off nearly 100 employees – or 3% of its workforce.
The expected changes come amid modest ratings for the network on Election Day – a day it has historically dominated.
CNN had just 5.1 million viewers in prime time last Tuesday night, according to Nielsen data. Fox News, which shares ownership with The Post, averaged 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.
CNN’s viewership on Election Day in 2016 was 13.3 million.
CNN spokespeople touted the network’s “cross-platform audience” of 44 million, including 14 million who streamed coverage on its digital platforms and CNN Max.
The network also noted that 67 million people viewed CNN.com on Election Day.
