CNN headed for another big round of layoffs and demotions likely to affect on-air talent: report

Corporate media’s post-election postmortem had a dire outlook for some of the “on-air talent” at one major network as “another round of layoffs” was on the horizon.

As fearmongering had failed to prevent victory for President-elect Donald Trump, some outlets were learning the hard way that it would take more than the occasional random act of journalism to keep audiences engaged. For CNN, on its third CEO in as many years, faltering ratings were a precursor to the current head honchos plan to refocus at the expense of “hundreds of employees.”

According to a report from Puck News’ Dylan Byers, “In the next few months, I’m told, CNN will implement another round of layoffs that will impact hundreds of employees across the organization.”

He elaborated that on-air personalities would be “asked to assume more of the responsibilities once handled by teams of producers and production assistants.”

As CEO Mark Thompson sought to put a premium on digital platforms, the report further stipulated that, “Redundant assignments will be nixed, and various divisions will be reduced or even eliminated.”

“Some of the on-air talent are also likely to be affected,” noted Byers.

Following former CEO Chris Licht’s appointment amid the Hindenburg-level launch of CNN+, only to be ousted in 2023, ratings had dropped under Thompson’s leadership by over 40 percent compared to the same day the year prior.

Their viewership woes were particularly noteworthy following election night when their coverage had fallen behind MSNBC, arguably as many conservatives tuned in to see the pundits meltdown, and continued to suffer the remained of the week as Thursday was marked with 419,000 viewers.

As previous shakeups at CNN had seen the likes of Don Lemon, John Harwood and Brian Stelter let go, with the latter returning weeks before the election, leading names on the network were experiencing their own woes as Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer had both reportedly been denied raises as they brought in $7 million and $3 million per year respectively.

Meanwhile, Chris Wallace who’d reportedly been offered a pay cut from his previous $8.5 million deal with former CNN CEO Jeff Zucker, announced Monday that he was leaving the network altogether.

“I don’t flatter myself to think I will have that sort of reach,” said Wallace who sought an independent route like Joe Rogan. “This is the first time in 55 years I’ve been between jobs.”

“I’m actually excited and liberated by that,” he added.

Of Wallace’s departure, Thompson said, “Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television, and streaming. We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom he’s brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for the future.”

While it was suggested the focus on digital platforms could ultimately mean a net gain in jobs at CNN, in the meantime social media users reveled at the struggles of corporate media, routinely criticized for their reporting practices.

Kevin Haggerty

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