2 weeks Ago By Ariel Zilber
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,” 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 .
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 .
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 Chris Wallace confirmed that he was leaving CNN — ending a three-year stint at the network that was marred by low ratings and turmoil in its corporate board.
Last month, 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 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. 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. 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.
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