CNN staff expects deep budget cuts and layoffs expected to hit the network in the new year.
“Overall, I feel very sad and frustrated,” a longtime CNN staffer told Fox News Digital. “For people who have been here a long time and have deep personal ties to helping build this organization, “This feeling is prevalent throughout the organization.”
According to internal sources, the layoff plan will be implemented in “March” and will have a significant impact on employees at all levels.
“This is an era of radical business model reform and disruption. It is extremely difficult even in the best of circumstances,” a CNN staff member said.
Another employee pointed to their CEO, Mark Thompson, who has been outspoken about the necessary organizational changes needed to survive, even though he’s only been on the job for just over a year.
“I’m concerned because the industry is clearly in trouble… I’m sure there are going to be layoffs,” a second CNN staffer told Fox News Digital.
The staffer suggested that other shows would be concentrated in Atlanta, with costly New York City productions likely to face the biggest impact.
CNN’s challenges appear to be more pronounced than those of other news organizations. In its election night coverage, CNN primetime drew just 5.1 million viewers, lagging behind the major networks other than CBS and being surpassed for the first time by MSNBC, which drew 6 million viewers. Fox News leads the way with more than 10 million viewers.
According to Puck News, hundreds of employees are expected to be affected by layoffs as Thompson focuses on digital priorities. Thompson, best known for reviving The New York Times, has already introduced changes, including a subscription model for the CNN news site.
The network’s uncertain direction is affecting its talent pool. Weekend show host Chris Wallace has announced his departure after his three-year contract expires this year.
Wallace has expressed interest in developing a standalone streaming or podcasting platform, although The Ankler reports that he would receive less than the £8.5m contract signed by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker. Contracts have been reduced.
Wallace originally joined CNN+ in 2022 and remained at the network after the streaming service shut down, hosting “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” Low.
CNN’s overall audience has declined, especially after the election, averaging 413,000 daily viewers, while Fox News Channel’s 2.2 million viewers.
Reports suggest top talent may face pay cuts as part of the restructure, which could influence long-serving presenters’ decisions to stay.
The network also faces identity challenges. Under former leader Chris Licht, there were efforts to address apparent liberal bias and reduce confrontational politics. However, many of those changes were reversed, including the return of Brian Stelter and an increase in coverage critical of Trump during the 2024 election.
In a presidential election year, “The Chris Wallace Show” averaged less than 600,000 viewers, including just 85,000 in the key 25- to 54-year-old demographic.
