Woke sux dix
2024-11-13 12:02:11 UTC
Reply
Permalinkboss 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 weeks 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 CNNs television production teams whose talents
wont necessarily be needed in the new digital-first landscape, the
outlet added.
The networks 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 Thompsons 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.
MSNBCs 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 networks 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.
https://nypost.com/2024/11/12/media/cnn-boss-mark-thompson-to-lay-off-
hundreds-after-election-day-ratings-wipeout-report/