OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
According to reports, CNN’s new CEO Mark Thompson is planning significant cuts and changes at the network to address falling ratings, potentially putting several high profile anchors on the “chopping block.”
Anchors like Anderson Cooper, Chris Wallace, Wolf Blitzer and Jake Tapper could potentially be replaced as their shows have very low viewership but high salaries.
“New CEO Mark Thompson is preparing ruthless cuts to remake the network as ratings plunge — leaving Anderson Cooper, Chris Wallace, Wolf Blitzer and Jake Tapper facing dates with the axman, a source says,” InTouch wrote.
Cooper makes $20 million for around 740,000 viewers, while Blitzer makes $15 million for under 700,000 viewers.
In contrast, the CEO is reportedly interested in hiring talent like Megyn Kelly who has a sizable social media following of 1.7 million YouTube subscribers.
Kelly could potentially attract more viewers than CNN’s current anchors.
If Thompson focuses on merit-based hiring of those with proven audiences rather than the star system, it may be CNN’s only hope to turn things around given their anchors are paid very high salaries for their diminishing returns.