CNN cuts more jobs as ratings decline during Biden era
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CNN Cuts Jobs as Ratings Slump During Biden Era
CNN made a bold move on Monday by axing one of its morning shows, resulting in job losses. This decision comes as cable news networks struggle with their lowest viewership numbers since before the political rise of former president Donald Trump.
CEO Mark Thompson announced the news to staffers, stating, “We will no longer produce morning programming in New York and will be disbanding the team that currently produces CNN This Morning in that city.” However, the network’s primetime and weekend programming in New York will continue.
The cancellation of the show, hosted by Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly, is part of a broader shakeup in CNN’s morning news slate.
“What we are announcing today is a change in strategic direction and not a reflection on the talent, expertise, and dedication of the New York-based editorial production and operations teams who’ve worked on our morning output—they’re among the best in the business,” Thompson added in his memo.
“We will be strongly encouraging them to apply for the many new open roles that we are making available this week in Atlanta and Washington, DC, along with a number of other open roles in New York in other programming blocks.”
The exact number of roles affected by these changes is currently unclear.
Biden Era Brings Ratings Slump for CNN
President Joe Biden’s time in office has seen cable news outlets, especially CNN, suffer from their lowest ratings since before the Trump era. In 2023, CNN averaged an audience of 481,000 viewers, its lowest since 2014. Fox News and MSNBC surpassed CNN in viewership, with only MSNBC experiencing an increase in viewership last year.
CNN has also faced notable departures of top talents in recent years. Don Lemon, media correspondent Brian Stelter, and White House correspondent John Harwood were all let go. Former CEO Jeff Zucker resigned in 2022 after a romantic relationship with another senior executive was revealed. Zucker’s successor Chris Licht stepped down in 2023 due to declining ratings.
What impact have conservative media outlets like Fox News had on CNN’s decline in ratings?
The network is facing tough competition not only from conservative outlets like Fox News, but also from digital news platforms that have gained a significant following in recent years.
The move to cut jobs at CNN is a direct result of the declining ratings during the Biden era. Despite the high expectations that came with a new administration, viewers have not been tuning in to the network as much as they did during the Trump presidency. This can be attributed to a number of factors.
Firstly, the Trump presidency was surrounded by controversy and drama, which made for compelling television. CNN capitalized on this by providing extensive coverage and analysis of the events and policies of the Trump administration. Now that Biden is in office, the news cycle has shifted, and the network has struggled to find the same level of engagement from viewers.
Furthermore, the rise of conservative media outlets like Fox News has had a significant impact on CNN’s viewership. Many conservatives view CNN as a biased and liberal-leaning network and are more likely to tune in to outlets that align with their political beliefs. This has resulted in a loss of viewers for CNN and a subsequent decline in ratings.
In addition to competition from conservative outlets, CNN is also facing challenges from digital news platforms. With the rise of social media and online news sites, many viewers now turn to these platforms for their daily news consumption. This has disrupted the traditional cable news model and has forced networks like CNN to reevaluate their strategies for reaching and engaging with audiences.
The decision to axe one of its morning shows and cut jobs is a clear indication that CNN is taking steps to address these challenges. By reducing costs and restructuring its programming, the network hopes to regain viewership and improve its ratings in the Biden era.
However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to overcome the decline in viewership. CNN will need to adapt to the changing media landscape and find new ways to connect with audiences if it wants to remain relevant in today’s highly competitive news industry.
In conclusion, CNN’s decision to cut jobs amid a ratings slump during the Biden era reflects the challenges that cable news networks are currently facing. The decline in viewership can be attributed to a shift in the news cycle, competition from conservative outlets, and the rise of digital news platforms. By making bold moves and restructuring its programming, CNN hopes to regain viewership and improve its ratings. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be successful in a rapidly changing media landscape.
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