CNN is on the way out. Like most Leftist media, the people have had enough with being lied to constantly. Their decline is seen year after year, and as President Trump has said, they are going under.
In a drastic bid to revitalize its sagging ratings and stake a stronger claim in the digital sphere, CNN is set to slash at least 100 jobs, with potentially more layoffs looming. This sweeping move marks a critical pivot for the network, aiming to break free from the clutches of declining cable news viewership and secure a foothold in the evolving digital landscape.
Mark Thompson, CNN’s Chief Executive, unveiled this bold restructuring plan in a memo to staff on Wednesday. His strategy revolves around a significant consolidation of the television newsgathering and digital-news divisions, a shift he admits will be painful. “We recognize its potentially enormous impact on the individuals affected,” Thompson wrote, addressing the network’s 4,000 employees worldwide. While details remain under wraps, he hinted at a robust expansion of CNN.com as the cornerstone of their digital ambitions.
@CNN to fire “hundreds”.
This is what happens when you lie to your audience day after day, year after year.
Anyone that trusts CNN or MSNBC to provide the truth, is a sheep.
NEW: CNN To Fire HUNDREDS As Ratings Crater https://t.co/XVZrfQoET2
— 🇺🇸SetTheHook🇺🇸 (@upland_guy) July 10, 2024
Shifting gears, Thompson also announced a new focus on lifestyle journalism, signaling a departure from the heavy emphasis on political news. “TV news can no longer define us,” he declared, stressing the urgent need for CNN to reinvent itself and prepare for the future.
Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, is also bracing for a wave of layoffs, driven by the relentless tide of cord-cutting and shrinking subscriber bases. Traditional media outlets are scrambling to adapt, often resorting to drastic measures, including slashing the bloated salaries of high-profile on-air talent.
Just making sure you understand what is going on.
This woman lost her job because she told the truth.
The station was right to fire her, but she didn’t have the right to hide what happened until a CNN interview.https://t.co/4ZCizwN7cr
— Pepper Moirraine (@PepperMoirraine) July 8, 2024
The urgency of CNN’s transformation is underscored by its dismal viewership statistics from May, marking the lowest levels in decades. Between May 13th and 19th, the network managed a paltry average of 83,000 viewers in the coveted 25-54 age demographic during prime time—a staggering decline. Overall, CNN attracted 494,000 viewers, lagging far behind Fox’s 2 million and MSNBC’s 1.1 million. Thompson attributed these bleak numbers to the network’s ongoing transition from traditional news to a broader content mix.
“We don’t believe news is just politics. Business, tech, climate, weather, health, wellness, and living longer are all news,” Thompson elaborated, outlining an ambitious plan to build new branded verticals across TV, apps, and other platforms.
In a controversial move, Thompson proposed significant salary cuts for CNN’s top earners. High-profile anchors like Anderson Cooper, pulling in $20 million annually, Wolf Blitzer at $15 million, Jake Tapper at $8.5 million, and Chris Wallace at $8 million, are targeted for pay reductions once their contracts expire between 2025 and 2026. Lower-level anchors, including John Berman, Kate Bolduan, and Sara Sidner, who earn between $1 million and $2 million, may also see their paychecks shrink.
CNN’s tumultuous journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Thompson recently pulled the plug on Charles Barkley’s show “King Charles” after it failed to garner sufficient viewers, with Barkley reportedly branding the network a “s***show” during negotiations. Even when CNN scored a hit with town halls featuring Donald Trump, internal discord surfaced, with staff criticizing executives for providing a platform for what they perceived as falsehoods.
As CNN navigates this turbulent period, its future hinges on the ability to adapt and innovate. The network’s commitment to diversifying its content and embracing digital trends signals a pivotal shift. Whether this transformation will steer CNN toward renewed relevance in a competitive media landscape remains to be seen. For them to truly be successful again, they must become a freer news agency, and stop the censorship policies that are all too evident.
Major Points
- CNN plans to lay off at least 100 employees in a bid to improve cable news ratings and bolster its digital presence.
- CEO Mark Thompson’s memo outlined significant job cuts through merging TV and digital-news divisions, acknowledging the profound impact on staff.
- The network will pivot to lifestyle journalism, moving away from a sole reliance on political news coverage.
- Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, anticipates further layoffs due to cord-cutting and declining subscriber numbers.
- CNN’s lowest viewership in decades prompted Thompson to propose salary cuts for top talent and diversify content across multiple platforms.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
