CNN Employees Brace for Layoffs Amid Ratings Crisis

One longtime CNN staffer told Fox News Digital, “I am overall very sad and deeply frustrated. Feelings which are pervasive throughout the organisation among those who have been here a long time and feel a deep personal connection to having helped build the organisation.”

The layoffs will be put into effect “by March” and will have a big effect on workers at all levels, said a CNN staffe, “It’s a time of a complete and utter business model overhaul and chaos. Extremely difficult even under the best circumstances.”

Another worker cited their CEO, Mark Thompson who has been open about the organisational adjustments required for survival even though he has only been in the role for a little more than a year. He said, “I am worried because the industry is obviously in trouble. I’m sure there will be cuts.”

The employee proposed that more shows be centralised in Atlanta with expensive productions in New York City probably being the most affected.

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When compared to other news organisations, CNN’s difficulties seem more severe. With just 5.1 million primetime viewers, CNN lagged behind all other networks except CBS during Election Night coverage. MSNBC with 6 million viewers overtook CNN for the first time. With more than 10 million viewers Fox News Channel was in first place.

As Thompson concentrates on digital goals, hundreds of employees are anticipated to be impacted by layoffs according to Puck News. A membership model for CNN’s news website is one of the adjustments that Thompson, who has been linked with boosting The New York Times, has already implemented.

The network’s talent pool is being impacted by its unclear future. Chris Wallace, a weekend host revealed that he will be leaving when his three-year contract ends this year.

With an average of 413,000 viewers each day compared to Fox News Channel’s 2.2 million, CNN’s overall audience has decreased especially after the election.

Restructuring may result in wage reductions for top personnel according to reports which could influence the decision of long-serving presenters to remain. 

The network has identity issues as well. Attempts were made to lessen aggressive politics and overcome alleged liberal bias under former head Chris Licht. Nevertheless, a lot of these adjustments were undone like the reappearance of Brian Stelter and the expansion of coverage critical of Trump during the 2024 election season.