The Brief:

• CNN, under Mark Thompson, plans significant layoffs and restructuring to shift towards a digital-first approach, impacting hundreds of employees.
• High-profile anchors may face salary adjustments, and roles are being redefined, with more responsibilities given to reporters.
• Despite increased digital strategies, CNN's Election Day viewership was notably lower than competitors Fox News and MSNBC.

CNN, the once-dominant cable news network, is bracing for a significant overhaul under the direction of Mark Thompson, with extensive layoffs anticipated to reshape its workforce. The changes come in response to CNN lagging in ratings behind competitors MSNBC and Fox News during last week's Election Night coverage. According to reports from Puck News, the restructuring will affect hundreds of employees across various departments.

Mark Thompson, who assumed leadership following Chris Licht's departure, aims to transition CNN towards a digital-first approach. This shift necessitates a reduction in personnel, especially within television production teams whose roles are becoming less crucial in the evolving media landscape. The imminent layoffs have created an environment filled with anxiety among CNN staff members.

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In addition to cutting jobs, Thompson is expected to tackle the high salaries of CNN's prime-time anchors. Notable figures such as Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett, and Kaitlan Collins could see adjustments to their earnings. Cooper currently commands an annual salary of up to $20 million, while Burnett and Collins earn $6 million and $3 million respectively.

The network recently witnessed the exit of Chris Wallace, signaling early signs of the impending shake-up. Wallace's departure after three years at CNN was partly attributed to disappointing ratings and internal turmoil.

Further adjustments include asking reporters and correspondents to take on more duties traditionally handled by producers and assistants. CNN plans to streamline operations by eliminating duplicate assignments and potentially downsizing or dissolving certain divisions.

This reorganization follows an earlier round of job cuts this year that saw about 100 employees let go. Despite these challenges, CNN's performance on Election Day was notably weak compared with previous years. The network attracted only 5.1 million prime-time viewers last Tuesday night – a stark contrast to the 13.3 million viewers it drew in 2016.

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Fox News led the ratings race with 10.3 million viewers between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., while MSNBC surpassed CNN for the first time ever with 6 million viewers during the same timeslot.

As part of its future strategy, CNN emphasizes its "cross-platform audience," which includes digital viewership on platforms like CNN Max and visitors to its website—totaling over 67 million on Election Day alone.

These forthcoming changes reflect Thompson's broader vision for adapting CNN in an increasingly digital media world while addressing financial pressures stemming from declining ratings and advertising revenues.

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