CNN hosts Anderson Cooper, Chris Wallace, Wolf Blitzer, and Jake Tapper are on the “chopping block” amid the dismal ratings their shows receive as the upcoming CEO tries to revive the network.
The incoming CEO Mark Thompson is bound to make significant budget cuts in CNN as he attempts to overhaul the outlet.
A source close to the issue remarked, “Anderson knows he’s on the chopping block because he makes a whopping $20 million a year. He’s already started looking for a new gig!”
“Chris Wallace takes $8 million and figures he’s a likely target, too!”
Also included in the possible booting were Blizer and Tapper, who earned $15 million and $8 million, respectively.
According to a report by Breitbart News, CNN only had 479,000 total day viewers and 573,000 during primetime.
“CNN is trying to keep up with the news landscape and become a digital-first provider,” the source added.
The upcoming CEO plans to cut down on production costs “that now look difficult to support,” according to a staff memo. With these, experts and former employees remark that the move will impact salaries. However, the contracts of CNN stars like Cooper and Tapper will still hold until after the November general elections.
Thompson’s decision comes as the outfit faces plummeting ratings and tightening competition from rivals Fox and MSNBC. The CEO’s actions come amidst low ratings and increasing competition from rivals Fox and MSNBC. Recently, hosts Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly were removed from their show “This Morning,” and the “CNN News Central” was reshuffled.
